JVS has partnered with Pillar Search & HR Consulting on the Vice President of Academic Services search. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their resume to Cindy Joyce at cindy@pillarsearch.com. This is an ideal role for a seasoned educational leader with experience in nontraditional/alternative education.

ABOUT JVS: JVS is a non-profit, non-sectarian agency. Our mission is to empower individuals from diverse communities to find employment and build careers; and to partner with employers to hire, develop, and retain productive workforces.

JVS provides a broad range of workforce development services including adult education, skills training, job readiness training, job placement, and support, and access to post-secondary education. JVS assists employers in their search for well-qualified job applicants and their initiatives to upgrade the skills of their incumbent workforce. JVS’s unique education and career pathway model has been widely recognized by funders, policy makers, and practitioners in Massachusetts and nationally.

POSITION SUMMARY: Under the leadership of the Chief Operating Officer, the Vice President of Academic Services is charged with developing and leading agency Academic services based on identified needs of clients, employers, funders, and other stakeholders.

The Vice President of Academic Services is responsible for the following key initiatives:

• Adult Diploma Pathway, which helps participants earn a free high school diploma from Boston Central Adult High School in 18 months to three years
• Bridges to College and Career, a program that builds participants’ academic skills, apply for college, and kickstart their career after graduation

In collaboration with agency senior leadership, the Vice President sets the vision, goals, and performance expectations of Academic Services programs, teams, and staff. The Vice President is responsible for the fiscal health of Academic Services programs, program budgets, and budget modifications, as well as annual revenue and expenditure projections and assisting with development efforts to support academic services.

The Vice President is part of a larger JVS team, all of whom are supporting the education, training, and employment needs of clients and employers. The Vice President serves as an active member of senior leadership team, thereby equitably contributing to agency performance goals and working to support the overall mission and philosophy of JVS and its programs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

Agency Leadership

• Execute agency strategic plan for Academic Services
• Develop long-range plans and strategies to ensure the agency’s continued success in fulfilling its mission and achieving short- and long-term goals for Academic Services
• Ensure all contract requirements are met
• Generate strategy and solutions in response to unforeseen and planned changes, setbacks, and challenges
• Expand scope and impact of program services, and develop new services based on partner organizations’ and client feedback
• Ensure JVS Academic Services are accessible, customer-centered, and providing options
• Communicate and provide program updates, reports, and metrics
• Increase internal and external visibility of Academic Services programs
• Hire, train, supervise, develop, and set performance expectations for Academic Services leadership team
• Provide oversight and leadership of Academic Services
• Set an example and inspire staff, colleagues, and other members of leadership to excel in their roles
• Provide management support to other areas when needed

Build Relationships, Collaboration, and Teamwork

• Ensure programmatic alignment across JVS programs
• Manage agency level external relationships relevant to Academic Services (BPS, DESE, colleges. philanthropy, state, federal)
• Support and promote the mission and philosophy of JVS both internally and outside the agency
• Establish relationships with key stakeholders (clients/students, employers, partner organizations, funders) and work collaboratively in a structured and on-going manner
• Work collaboratively with and encourage collaboration between JVS departments and divisions to ensure agency performance goals are met
• Represent JVS at stakeholder and other professional events
• Collaborate with Development staff on grant proposal activities
• Engage with the JVS Board of Directors including regular Board meetings, sub-committee(s) and Board member requests
• Provide leadership and support to all JVS departments when needed

Administration/Communication

• Manage and oversee full, timely contract implementation including staffing, systems design, and development
• Ensure JVS programs operate in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Manage budget of nearly $3 million. Monitor and control budgetary expenses and revenue performance.
• Manage contract reporting, ensuring that reports are accurate and submitted in a timely fashion
• Oversee grant application and management. Partner with Chief Development Officer to identify and cultivate funders to ensure current and future philanthropic support for Academic Services programs.
• Oversee customer satisfaction surveying and evaluation system; serve as a liaison with clients, including hearing and resolving complaints or grievances
• Analyze and report program progress, successes, and challenges to JVS leadership, funders, evaluators, and other stakeholders
• Implement agency contracts including oversight, reporting and invoicing
• Prepare and monitor program work plans, in support of JVS and contractual obligations
• Perform other duties as requested

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Seven years of program management and supervisory experience, with extensive experience in nontraditional/alternative education
• Proven program development
• Experience leading and managing high-performing teams
• Proven financial management skills
• Knowledge of DESE ACLS contracting preferred
• Presentation and facilitation skills
• Experience in grant and proposal writing and grant management
• Experience in preparation of budgets, forecasting expenses
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Demonstrated ability to work independently
• Negotiation skills

EDUCATION REQUIRED:

• BA/BS or equivalent

KEY COMPETENCIES: 

• Promotes agency
• Initiative
• Building relationships, collaboration and teamwork
• Adapts to change
• Accountability and results-focued
• Communication Skills
• Cultural competency and respect
• Planning/organizing

JOB COMPETENCIES: 

• Leadership across departments and services
• Setting and communicating strategy and vision
• Strategic program planning
• Oversight of multiple departments
• Managing department budgets
• Grant writing
• Grant management
• Quality improvement

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Regular local travel, evening hours and some weekend availability required
• Please note that, due to COVID, this position will be remote until further notice

JVS CULTURE:

JVS is strongly committed to diversity and a workplace environment that respects, appreciates and values employee differences and similarities. By providing and supporting a work culture that fosters and builds upon diversity and its strengths, JVS will better serve our local communities and continue to provide quality services.

APPLICATION:

JVS has partnered with Pillar Search & HR Consulting on the Vice President of Academic Services search. Please submit your cover letter and resume to Cindy Joyce at cindy@pillarsearch.com.

People with disabilities, people of color, women, veterans, Hispanic/Latino/Latina and LGBTQ candidates are encouraged to apply.

AA/ EOE

About Pillar Search & HR Consulting:

A woman-owned business founded in Boston in 2015, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization.