The Director of Career Programs & Partnerships will lead that work.

This is a unique opportunity for a builder-someone who can develop systems, cultivate partnerships, create opportunities for students, and establish Vertex as a leading model for career-connected education in New York City.

Position Summary

The Director of Career Programs & Partnerships serves as the strategic leader responsible for designing, implementing, and continuously improving Vertex's career programming.

The Director will lead the transition to a broader, more sustainable model of career preparation centered on employer partnerships, internships, industry exposure, credential attainment, and workforce readiness.

This leader will cultivate relationships with employers, universities, healthcare systems, technology companies, nonprofits, workforce organizations, and civic institutions to create meaningful opportunities for students. S/he will oversee career pathways, internship programming, work-based learning opportunities, industry certifications, and postsecondary transition initiatives while ensuring strong alignment with Vertex's mission and academic program.

The successful candidate will combine strategic thinking with operational excellence, balancing long-term program development with day-to-day execution.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Program Development

• Lead the evolution of Vertex's career programming strategy and long-term vision.
• Design and implement a scalable framework for career readiness that serves all students.
• Develop annual goals, strategic priorities, and success metrics for career programming.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen student experiences, increase efficiency, and improve outcomes.
• Advise the Head of School on workforce development, career readiness, and partnership strategy.
• Serve as the primary architect of Vertex's career pathways model.

Partnership Development & External Relations

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with employers, universities, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and workforce development organizations.
• Develop internship, mentorship, job-shadowing, apprenticeship, and career exploration opportunities for students.
• Negotiate partnership agreements, memoranda of understanding, and collaborative initiatives.
• Establish sustainable, multi-year partnerships that provide recurring opportunities for students.
• Expand partnerships in education, healthcare, technology, business, public service, and emerging industries.
• Represent Vertex at industry, workforce, higher education, and community events.
• Create advisory structures that allow industry leaders to inform pathway development.

Career Pathways & Student Opportunities

• Oversee the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of career pathways.
• Ensure pathway experiences align with student interests, workforce demand, and postsecondary opportunities.
• Expand access to industry-recognized credentials, certifications, and training opportunities.
• Create systems for career exploration beginning before students select pathway experiences.
• Ensure all students have meaningful exposure to careers and industries before graduation.
• Partner with academic leaders to connect classroom learning to real-world applications.

Internship & Workforce Readiness Programming

• Develop and oversee internship and workplace learning opportunities.
• Build systems to support student placement, monitoring, evaluation, and reflection.
• Establish expectations and quality standards for all student workplace experiences.
• Coordinate employer engagement activities including career days, networking events, site visits, guest speakers, and industry panels.
• Ensure students develop professional skills, workplace habits, and career readiness competencies.
• Track participation and outcomes across all career experiences.

Postsecondary Success & Alumni Outcomes

• Collaborate with counseling and academic teams to strengthen college and career readiness efforts.
• Develop systems to track student postsecondary outcomes.
• Monitor employment, apprenticeship, military, credential, and college enrollment data.
• Use outcomes data to improve programming and strengthen partnerships.
• Create opportunities for alumni engagement and mentorship.

Team Leadership & Program Management

• Supervise and develop the Manager of Career Programs and other assigned staff.
• Establish clear goals, accountability structures, and performance expectations.
• Facilitate collaboration among pathway teachers, counselors, and external partners.
• Support professional development related to career readiness and workforce development.
• Build a culture of continuous improvement and student-centered problem solving.

Budget & Resource Management

• Develop and manage the annual career programs budget.
• Oversee contracts, vendors, partnership agreements, and external service providers.
• Monitor program costs and return on investment.
• Identify opportunities for grants, sponsorships, and philanthropic support.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of resources while maximizing student impact.

Data, Accountability & Continuous Improvement

• Establish key performance indicators for career programming.
• Monitor participation, credential attainment, internship completion, and postsecondary outcomes.
• Produce reports for school leadership, the Board of Trustees, and external stakeholders.
• Use data to evaluate program effectiveness and inform strategic decisions.
• Maintain systems that ensure consistency, quality, and scalability.

Qualifications

Required

• Master's degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Workforce Development, Public Administration, Business, or a related field.
• Five or more years of professional experience in education, workforce development, career readiness, partnership management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success building and managing external partnerships.
• Experience leading complex projects and initiatives.
• Strong organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience supervising and developing adults.
• Commitment to educational equity and student success.

Preferred

• Experience in urban education settings.
• Experience working in charter schools.
• Experience developing internship, workforce development, or career readiness programs.
• Familiarity with New York City employers, workforce organizations, and higher education institutions.
• Experience securing grants, sponsorships, or philanthropic support.
• Experience managing program budgets and contracts.

Compensation and Benefits

Vertex Partnership Academies offers a competitive compensation package, including:

• The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $140,000; offer will be commensurate with the candidate's years of experience and credentials.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 403 (b) retirement plan with employer match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Professional development opportunities
• A mission-driven, supportive working environment

Physical Requirements

This role may require lifting and carrying items weighing up to 20 pounds unassisted, including assisting coworkers when needed. Requires frequent bending, reaching, repetitive hand movements, standing, walking, squatting, sitting, and looking at a computer screen for long periods at a time.