Senior Director of Strategic Engagement

About Reach University: Reach is a nonprofit, accredited university that employs job-embedded learning to help communities grow their own talent. At the undergraduate level, Reach offers adults employed in schools and other workplaces the opportunity to earn a unique bachelor’s degree that embraces work experience as part of the learning process. At the post-baccalaureate level, Reach provides “alternative” certification and degree programs for full-time educators and organizational leaders seeking a more equitable world. Reach seeks to evolve a new era in higher education where a job leads to a degree instead of the other way around. The National Center for the Apprenticeship Degree (NCAD) seeks to radically scale higher education and employer utilization of apprenticeships attached to quality post-secondary credentials across the U.S. We seek to create a world where effort and skills, not money or connections, determine who gets ahead. Learn more about us at https://www.reach.edu/. Description: The Senior Director of Strategic Engagement is one of NCAD’s senior field-facing leaders, responsible for advancing the Apprenticeship Degree movement through three interconnected areas of work: leading ADNet, NCAD’s national network of institutions building and scaling Apprenticeship Degree programs; directing partner-facing technical assistance and capacity-building engagements; and stewarding the subject matter expert relationships that power NCAD’s work across sectors and geographies. This role requires someone who understands higher education from the inside — the institutional dynamics of program development, accreditation, curriculum design, and employer partnership — and who brings the professional credibility to engage as a peer with provosts, deans, chief academic officers, and state agency leaders. Equally important is demonstrated experience designing and operating membership networks or learning communities at scale, and the ability to manage a complex, multi-stakeholder portfolio with precision and care. The Senior Director of Strategic Engagement reports to the Executive Director and works in close coordination with NCAD’s Senior Director of National Apprenticeship Degree Strategy, Project Manager, and the NCAD Fellows to ensure coherent, high-quality delivery across NCAD’s partner and network portfolio. Education : Master’s degree required in a relevant field, including but not limited to Higher Education Administration, Educational Leadership or Management, Curriculum and Instruction, Workforce Development, Organizational Leadership, or a closely related discipline. Experience : Minimum 7 years of progressively increasing leadership experience, including significant work in higher education — with demonstrated expertise in program development, accreditation processes, workforce development, and institutional partnership — combined with substantial experience in network or membership program management, partner-facing technical assistance or consulting, and facilitation at scale. Skills : Demonstrated ability to manage a complex, multi-stakeholder field-facing portfolio; experience supervising and deploying subject matter experts or contractors in a consulting or technical assistance context; strong facilitation skills across diverse audiences including administrators, faculty, employers, and state agency staff; knowledge of the Apprenticeship Degree model and work-based learning landscape across multiple sectors; strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to manage multiple complex workstreams simultaneously; comfort operating in grant-funded environments with funder accountability and reporting requirements. Other : Ability to travel up to 45%. Fully remote position. To support collaboration, travel, and engagement across key NCAD partners, preference will be given to candidates located in the South/Southeastern United States. ADNet Program Leadership ● Lead execution and coordination of ADNet in alignment with the Executive Director’s strategic vision and growth priorities ● Own all phases of the cohort lifecycle: selection, onboarding, engagement, convenings, and alumni transition ● Develop and continuously improve ADNet programming, materials, and onboarding resources ● Ensure ADNet programming is differentiated and responsive to the diverse needs of member institutions — by sector, geography, and stage of Apprenticeship Degree development ● Ensure ADNet activities are integrated with NCAD’s broader capacity-building offerings and national knowledge infrastructure Partner-Facing Engagement and Technical Assistance ● Lead and support partner-facing capacity-building engagements, serving as a senior NCAD point of contact for active institutional partners ● Conduct site visits, facilitate technical assistance sessions, and support partner progress across the Apprenticeship Degree development continuum ● Steward active and alumni partner relationships, maintaining trust, momentum, and alignment with NCAD’s approach and standards ● Identify opportunities to deepen or expand engagement within the existing partner portfolio SME Supervision and Deployment ● Direct and deploy subject matter expert contractors across NCAD’s partner engagements, ADNet programming, and field-building activities ● Match SME expertise to partner and network needs, ensuring high-quality, contextually appropriate support across Apprenticeship Degree verticals ● Manage SME performance, deliverables, and alignment with NCAD’s standards and strategic priorities ● Provide dotted-line direction to NCAD Fellows on ADNet-specific scope, deliverables, and timelines Convenings and Field Events ● Lead design and execution of ADNet convenings, including in-person and virtual sessions ● Support planning and execution of ICAD, NCAD’s international convening on the Apprenticeship Degree ● Oversee programmatic quality for all ADNet convenings in alignment with the Executive Director and in partnership with NCAD staff and fellows ● Represent NCAD at partner events, ADNet-related engagements, and national field convenings Strategic Communications and Member Engagement ● Develop and deploy targeted communications for ADNet members and affiliated stakeholders ● Collaborate with NCAD’s MarComms function to ensure consistent brand alignment and member experience across all ADNet and partner-facing touchpoints ● Drive new partner outreach and pipeline development tied to ADNet cohort growth Cross-Functional Coordination ● Coordinate across NCAD staff and relevant Reach University units to ensure smooth delivery of ADNet and partner-facing programs ● Support budget operations and internal workflow planning tied to this role’s portfolio ● Support performance tracking and funder reporting for ADNet and partner engagements in collaboration with the Executive Director and Project Manager ● Health Insurance: We provide medical, vision, and dental insurance plans to ensure you and your family are well-covered, plus additional wellness programs. ● Flexible Time Off: We offer a Flexible Time Off policy, empowering you to take the time you need when you need it, without the constraints of a traditional vacation policy. ● Flexible Remote-Only Workplace: Enjoy the freedom to work from anywhere with our flexible remote-only work environment, fostering a balance of workload and rest. ● Professional Development Support: We are committed to your growth and development, offering support for professional development opportunities to help you advance in your career. Salary : The salary range for this role is $115,000–$130,000 commensurate with experience. Equal Opportunity Employer Reach University is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Reach University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please e-mail us at [email protected] if you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application.