Manager, Field Implementation Team

About JFF

Jobs for the Future (JFF) drives transformation of the U.S. education and workforce systems to achieve economic advancement for all. Seeing that millions of people are unfairly shut out of quality jobs and the chance for a better life, our goal is to align education, workforce, and employment changemakers toward a shared North Star: By 2033, 75 million people facing systemic barriers to advancement will work in quality jobs.

To achieve that goal, we design solutions, scale best practices, influence policy and action, and invest in innovation. With a staff of more than 200 people across the country working remotely and in offices in Boston (headquarters), Washington, DC, and Oakland, California, we operate at the national, state, and local levels, forging deep partnerships with employers, investors, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and education and workforce development providers to break down barriers and reimagine what’s possible.

We’re on a path of ongoing growth and expanding impact. We have an operating budget of $105 million, and we’re funded by dozens of leading government agencies, foundations, and corporations. Learn more about JFF and join us as we build a future that works—for everyone.

Equal Employment Opportunity at JFF

Inclusion, belonging, and well-being are core to JFF’s North Star and mission, and we seek to invest in and learn from those who represent the communities we serve as it is important to the success of our work and the engagement of our staff members. We aim to cultivate a culture that centers the overall care, well-being, and success of the employee through flexible work hours, balanced workloads, professional development, and career advancement opportunities for all.

JFF is a fair chance employer and in alignment to our North Star , we hire based on qualifications, and experience, and we are committed to fair opportunity for all qualified candidates – including those without a 4-year degree or formally incarnated individuals.

About the Position

A part of JFF’s Solutions Design and Delivery unit, the Field Implementation Team (FIT) plays a central role in advancing JFF’s mission by applying capabilities, expertise, and talent to implement field-facing programs, initiatives, and strategic solutions. As the largest functional team at JFF, the Field Implementation Team is comprised of key project personnel who design and deliver technical assistance, coaching, asset mapping, community of practice facilitation, design of convenings or events, and other key lines of service. FIT members may be largely dedicated to projects and programs sponsored or led by a specific Center or Practice.

As a Manager on the Field Implementation Team, you will be assigned to specific portfolios of project work across JFF, based on the organization’s evolving needs and staff members’ skillsets and interests. Managers at JFF are seen as collaborative project managers who excel at utilizing their project management, stakeholder engagement, and communication skills to impact mission-critical bodies of work. Whether supporting logistics of convenings of external partners or taking a deep dive project management, you will play a key role in designing, strengthening, and scaling solutions that create fair conditions and clear paths to economic advancement for all.

In this role, you will be integral to driving communication, efficiency, and best practices across the team, while ensuring that project and operational goals are met. This role is ideal for an organized individual with strong project management and collaboration skills, who is eager to make a positive impact towards JFF’s North Star goals. The ideal candidate brings prior experience or deep understanding of the education and post-secondary sectors.

This position is a full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible, fixed-term position with an end-date of Sept 30, 2027.

What you'll do

Deliver impactful results through effective project management:

Provide project support to the team including scheduling meetings, crafting and distributing meeting agendas, materials, notes and minutes

Partner with project leaders to accomplish project goals by monitoring and evaluating project plans, tasks, resources, deadlines, and any post-project needs

Conduct primary and secondary research to identify and analyze best practices and learnings from various projects

Develop and maintain broad knowledge about the work of the team to ensure project deadlines and deliverables are supported

Foster collaboration across teams to support project execution:

Build and maintain effective relationships across teams, and with internal and external project partners to support ongoing collaboration

Ensure informative and timely follow-up with partners, coordinating across project teams and drawing in appropriate staff as necessary

Participate in planning and facilitating meetings and events across the team

Collaborate with stakeholders externally and across JFF, engaging in peer-learning meetings, technical assistance workshops, site visits, or program/policy research meetings

Contribute to a learning culture through knowledge management and information sharing across teams:

Document engagements, services, challenges and results, to support ongoing strategies and drive continuous improvement

Prepare project related correspondence, including memos, reports, and presentations; document and summarize key points addressed at conferences, events and meetings to support information sharing

Capture and share information on identified needs and strategies implemented throughout project lifecycles

Who You Are

You have experience organizing bodies of work for your team to support your organization’s strategic goals and priorities, preferably within the education and post-secondary space; Experience in workforce, economic development, and/or other social impact settings welcomed as well (New hires at the Manager level at JFF typically bring 3-5 years of prior professional experience through a combination of full-time, part-time, internship, and/or freelance positions)

You are a strong project manager and take ownership of your projects by keeping yourself and others focused and accountable to the work, deadlines, and intended outcomes

You have experience developing effective relationships with your colleagues and external stakeholders in order to collaborate successfully on projects, including people whose identities and backgrounds differ from your own

You know how to use your good judgment, clear analytical thinking, and strong decision-making skills to independently manage your day-to-day work

You seek out opportunities to find new ways of doing things, make meaningful contributions, and support your team and organization’s mission

You are eager to take advantage of professional development and other learning opportunities to grow your subject matter expertise and develop new, more effective ways of working with colleagues and stakeholders

You demonstrate awareness of your performance, impact, and of those around you with respect to the cultural context of your organization

You possess high energy and passion for JFF’s mission and North Star, and the ability to apply JFF’s core values to all areas of your work

You are energized by stewarding JFF’s inclusion, belonging, and well-being values and practices within your day-to-day work, including embracing and celebrating the di fferences that each individual brings to JFF

You value building positive and collaborative relationships with others, including people whose identities and backgrounds differ from your own

What We Offer

At JFF, we’re fueled by the desire to create a world where everyone has equ a l opportunity for economic advancement. Our team works hard to push the boundaries of what is possible, and in return, we provide a gratifying work experience, competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefi