Foundation for California Community Colleges

Compensation

Full Description

Functional Title: Manager, Department Operations CALPERS Title: Manager Department: Collaborative Impact Reports To: Executive Director FLSA Status: Exempt Primary Work Location: 100% Remote within California Last Updated: 12/18/2025 Flex Work Option: Some Position Summary The Foundation for California Community Colleges is on a mission to double its impact in the next ten years. We are a group of relentless optimists and innovators in education, working collaboratively with public and private partners to improve the student experience and expand pathways to economic and social mobility in communities across California. The LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network is a member of the Collaborative Impact team of the Foundation for California Community Colleges and supports meaningful connections between students and employers in California through work-based learning and support services. Our role is to support efforts to bring relevancy and real-world experience to students in California through growing the quantity and quality of work-based learning, with an emphasis on registered apprenticeship, but also includes job shadowing, classroom presentations, internships, and other job training opportunities. The Foundation's Collaborative Impact Department, through the LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network, seeks a Manager to play a critical role in the department's success by strengthening LAUNCH’s internal infrastructure, optimizing cross-departmental workflows, and cultivating a cohesive, efficient, and people-centered workplace. This position represents an exciting opportunity to lead organization-wide systems integration, drive process innovation, support operational excellence, and ensure staff have the tools, clarity, and structure needed to deliver high-impact programming for new and innovative pre-apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships as pathways for low-wage workers to secure middle-skill jobs in California and addressing racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in the labor market. Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities Systems Integration and Optimization Lead the development and implementation of internal technology platforms into a cohesive and efficient operational ecosystem, championing technology-forward solutions that enhance service delivery and staff experience. Spearhead technical assistance sessions across all departments to align workflows and eliminate redundancies. Streamline forms, templates, and internal processes for staff to better engage with external partners. Develop and implement tracking systems for visibility across departments, including grant metrics and budgets. Serve as the primary point of contact for collecting, storing, facilitating, and/or developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), ensuring all processes are accessible, accurate, and standardized. Manage internal communication on updated processes, workflows, announcements, etc., developing internal and external role clarity for LAUNCH teams. Organization Development Leadership Lead internal efforts for external communication and marketing, such as website design, CRM platform, and e-newsletters. Implement internal LAUNCH Hub, serving as the liaison for Operations to collect content and informational documents. Manage event logistics to reflect operational excellence. In coordination with Operations, support Accounts Payable (AP) and external partner reimbursements tracking and processing, such as with software, services, vendors, etc. Work with the LAUNCH leadership team to develop and implement strategic planning initiatives to meet organizational goals. Lead efforts in team-wide development activities and apply knowledge and experience to support other LAUNCH projects, including: Develop agendas and related content, facilitating team meeting components, and helping coordinate any follow-up activities. Lead efforts for professional development and training with internal staff to promote learning about registered apprenticeship programs and implementation. Be a mentor to junior staff to provide growth opportunities within the organization. Culture & Office Excellence Create a workplace that values efficiency, clarity, and connection. Design and implement a comprehensive onboarding experience (technology, training, and recognition). Develop internal processes and systems (such as travel request forms) that improve operational efficiency. Introduce standardized signature branding, birthday acknowledgments, and internal celebration systems that reinforce belonging. Manage office operations, including supplies, marketing collateral orders, storage unit, and logistics. Emulate and participate in a culture of shared leadership and promote organizational values. Contribute to team effort by completing other projects and tasks as assigned. Collaboration with Compliance & Operations Work cross-functionally with Operations and Programs to ensure accountability and alignment, strengthening communication flow. Support apprenticeship database management, compliance forms, and grant reporting. With the Director of Operations, confirm which technology solutions are integrated across departments. Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and historically marginalized populations through project design and implementation. Supervisory Responsibilities/Level of Supervision May provide feedback and coaching opportunities, some oversight of job duties, and work product review for junior staff. Proven ability to manage by influence and ability to build and maintain credibility. Receives general direction as to organizational, departmental, and individual goals and the achievement of those goals. Evaluated based on the successful performance of essential job duties and responsibilities and achievement of goals. Subject only to broad communications associated with the duties and responsibilities of the position. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Excellent project management skills with ability to balance details and timelines, verify progress on deliverables, prioritize tasks, and strategic priorities across multiple projects. Strong group facilitation and technical skills, with an ability to prioritize tasks and deliver quality products within agreed upon timeframes, with limited supervision. Demonstrated ability to research (qualitative and quantitative), analyze, synthesize, and communicate complex workforce topics to non-experts in various formats (e.g., toolkits, reports, graphic displays, presentations, newsletter articles). Exceptional ability to build and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences, from C-suite professionals to inexperienced youth. Must be a self-starter, quick learner, problem solver, highly motivated, and able to work on a fast-paced team. Excellent at working both in teams and independently. Ability to exercise sound judgment and escalate critical issues and sensitive matters, as necessary. Ability to work remotely and navigate various technology platforms (Zoom, MS Office Suite-Teams, Outlook, Salesforce Lightning, other database programs, Google Suite, etc.). Attributes for Success Passionate about providing students with stronger pathways to education and building a more just and equitable California overall. A self-starter and quick learner who is highly motivated and outcome-oriented, always seeking innovative approaches to project execution. A commitment to continuous improvement and professional development. A strategic and creative thinker who can problem-solve, working within and across teams to swiftly respond to needs identified across the education system. Practices ownership, takes accountability, and able to manage own work, prioritize tasks, and deliver quality products on time with limited supervision. Ability to work on a fast-paced team and build and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Knowledge of, or willingness to learn about, the California Community College system and the Foundation’s mission. Education and Experience Relevant BA/BS, equivalent work experience, or a combination of both. Minimum of seven (7) + years of related work experience in workforce development, apprenticeship/ pre-apprenticeship, higher education. Minimum of two (2) + years of experience in an education or non-profit environment preferred. Knowledge of New & Innovative apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and enhanced OJT concepts is a plus. Demonstrated professional writing, presentation, and technical research skills required. Advanced knowledge in different technological platforms, including but not limited to Microsoft Office and Google Suites required. Experience engaging subject matter experts and scoping and assessing the work of short-term consultants is highly desired. Prior supervisory experience preferred. Familiarity with the Community College system a plus. Working Hours, Location, and Travel This is a full-time position, 40 hours per week, with additional hours as needed to address the organization’s needs. This is a California-based position, with the flexibility to work remotely (in California) or in person at our Sacramento office. This position may require moderate travel to attend meetings, conferences, and perform other essential functions of the job. Physical Requirements The Foundation may make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job’s essential functions/physical requirements. The following physical requirements are essential to the performance of this position: Must be able to remain in stationary position up to 4 hours at a time and 8 hours total in a day. Ability to constantly work at a computer workstation for up to five consecutive days. The person in this position frequently communicates with internal office staff and/or external third parties who have inquiries about their job tasks. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. Ability to frequently move and/or remain in a stationary position without breaks during meetings. Ability to constantly operate a computer. Ability to perform repetitive movements (e.g., typing and filing) and operate and use common office equipment (e.g., copy machine, printer, telephone). Budgeted Annual Salary Pay Range: Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity. The Foundation for California Community Colleges is the official nonprofit partner to the California Community Colleges, the largest and most diverse system of higher education in the nation. Our work reaches all 116 California Community Colleges across 73 districts and is designed to help improve the student experience and expand pathways to economic and social mobility across California. More specifically, we exist to benefit: Students: We believe in ensuring students from all backgrounds succeed in reaching their goals and improving their lives and their communities; Community Colleges: We believe in lifting up the California Community College system as the greatest gateway to a better future; and Communities: We believe in the power of community colleges to help their communities thrive. Our projects and services seek to be at the forefront of innovation and excellence in higher education across five areas of impact: student success, workforce development, equity, community impact, and system support. To date, we’ve delivered hundreds of millions in grants, support, and cost savings to colleges and students to make this possible, with 85 cents of every dollar raised directly allocated to programs and services. We’re proud of our role in helping Californians build a better future for themselves and their families, but we know there’s more to be done. Join us. Learn more about working at the Foundation > Read the Foundation's Double Impact Strategic Plan > Location The Foundation’s main headquarters are based in Sacramento, California, though we offer remote opportunities throughout the entire state. We aim to hire a workforce reflective of the California communities we serve.