JFF

Compensation

Full Description

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 300 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. 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 strongly encourage individuals whose highest level of education attained is less than a 4-year degree; People of Color; and people with records to apply to our open roles. About the Position JFF is seeking a Project Director to lead the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) YouthBuild technical assistance contract that supports 250 YouthBuild grantees nationwide. Through this award, USDOL is investing in national technical assistance and capacity-building to strengthen YouthBuild program operations, enhance outcomes for young people, and support effective implementation of federal guidance and requirements across multiple workstreams. As the Project Director, you will provide overall management of the technical assistance contract, including all workstreams and the execution of required contract deliverables and outcomes. You will set the strategic vision for the project and ensure successful execution of contract activities in alignment with USDOL guidance and requirements. You will supervise all project staff and serve as the primary liaison with USDOL on all aspects of contract performance. What You'll Do Provide overall project leadership and strategic direction Provide overall management of the YouthBuild technical assistance contract, including all workstreams and execution of required contract deliverables and outcomes. Set the strategic vision for the project and ensure that all activities align with USDOL guidance, expectations, and requirements. Lead annual and multi-year planning for the contract, including priorities, workstreams, and sequencing of technical assistance and capacity-building activities. Ensure that the project centers equity, quality, and positive outcomes for YouthBuild participants in all aspects of design and delivery. Serve as primary liaison to USDOL and oversee stakeholder relationships Serve as the primary liaison with USDOL for the YouthBuild technical assistance contract, including regular communication on progress, risks, and emerging needs. Represent JFF and the project in meetings, briefings, and presentations with USDOL officials and other federal, state, and local partners, as appropriate. Build and maintain strong relationships with YouthBuild grantees and other stakeholders to ensure that technical assistance is responsive to program needs and context. Supervise project staff and coordinate workstreams Supervise project staff and core team members, providing direction, coaching, and performance feedback to support high-quality work and professional growth. Coordinate across internal workstreams (for example, direct technical assistance, communities of practice, tools and resources, data and learning, and communications) to ensure cohesive planning and delivery. Ensure that staff and partners are clear on their roles, responsibilities, timelines, and quality expectations. Manage contract planning, reporting, and compliance Maintain and regularly update the contract workplan to reflect current priorities, timelines, and responsibilities, in close coordination with USDOL and internal partners. Lead contract reporting, including preparing and submitting bi-monthly, quarterly, and annual reports that document activities, deliverables, outcomes, and lessons learned. Facilitate quarterly trends calls and other structured learning or feedback sessions with USDOL and other stakeholders, summarizing key themes, trends, and recommendations. Ensure compliance with all contract requirements, including documentation, data reporting, and adherence to applicable federal and organizational policies. Oversee financial management and subcontractor performance Collaborate with JFF’s Finance and contracts teams to develop and monitor project budgets, track expenditures, and ensure that spending aligns with contract requirements and workplan priorities. Provide oversight of any subcontracts associated with the YouthBuild technical assistance contract, including scopes of work, performance expectations, and deliverables. Monitor subcontractor performance, review and approve invoices, and ensure that subcontracted work is coordinated and integrated with JFF’s direct activities. Support learning, quality improvement, and communications Use qualitative and quantitative data to assess the effectiveness of technical assistance strategies and inform continuous improvement. Work with evaluation and data partners (internal and/or external) to interpret findings and translate them into actionable recommendations for USDOL and YouthBuild programs. Ensure that tools, resources, and communications products developed under the contract are accurate, clear, accessible, and aligned with USDOL guidance and YouthBuild field needs. Who You Are Required qualifications and experience (aligned to the RFP) Master’s degree with at least 5 years of relevant work experience, or a Bachelor’s degree with at least 7 years of relevant work experience. Demonstrated success leading complex, multi-year projects, including experience managing workplans, budgets, deliverables, and teams. Strong understanding of YouthBuild, youth development, the public workforce system, workforce development, and related programs and supports. Experience providing technical assistance on program operations, particularly at the senior management and executive levels. Skills, mindset, and work style Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with officials at all levels of an organization, both government and private. Ability to adjust quickly to changing needs and priorities in a fast-paced environment. Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, including the ability to communicate complex information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences. Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines across several workstreams. Ability to build and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with internal colleagues, funders, grantees, and other partners. Alignment with and enthusiasm for JFF’s mission, North Star, and values, including a demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, belonging, and well-being in your work. What We Offer At JFF, we’re fueled by the desire to create a world where everyone has equal 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 benefits program that includes flexibility and choice as core values in order to support people wherever they are in their lives and careers. JFF has offices in Boston, Oakland, and Washington, DC; employees are welcome to use JFF office space to work in-person or hybrid, or completely remote. To improve the employee experience and promote productivity while working remotely, JFF offers an annual home office stipend to all regular full-time and part-time employees. In addition, new employees receive office equipment as needed. The hiring range for this role is $140,000–$175,000 annually, aligned with JFF’s Senior Director salary band and consistent with our current salary transparency guidance. Starting salaries for new hires will be determined based on a combination of the candidate’s relevant years of experience and the talent market for this role, following JFF’s offer rubric. Contingency on funding This position is contingent upon Jobs for the Future (JFF) securing external funding that will support this role. If the anticipated funding is not secured at a level and on terms that, in JFF’s sole discretion, are sufficient to support the position, employment will not commence. If funding is secured and the offer becomes effective, employment will remain at will, meaning that JFF or the employee may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable law. If you are excited about this opportunity and believe you can contribute to JFF’s mission and this project’s goals—even if you do not meet every qualification—we strongly encourage you to apply. At JFF, we’re also committed to accessibility and want to ensure that everyone, including people with disabilities, can fully access and engage with our application and hiring process. If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability and/or have specific access/accommodation needs in order to fully participate in our hiring process, please contact us at hiringaccommodations@jff.org. Positions at JFF are not eligible for employer-visa sponsorship or open to F-1 student visa holders. To Apply: As part of your application, please include your resume and a thoughtful cover letter, addressed to Vanessa Bennett, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position. #LI-DNI