Career Pathway Program Manager, Greater Hartford/New Britain

ReadyCT•Hartford, CT

9d•Onsite

About The Position

ReadyCT is seeking a passionate Career Pathway Program Manager to collaborate with educational institutions and employers to create meaningful career opportunities for students. This role involves bridging the gap between career readiness and industry needs, ensuring students are prepared for current and future jobs. ReadyCT is a statewide nonprofit organization focused on helping Connecticut public school students succeed academically and explore career pathways through innovative programs that connect students, schools, and employers. As an affiliate of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA), ReadyCT works with business leaders to expand opportunities for students and strengthen Connecticut's workforce.

Requirements

Passion for education and developing the potential of ALL students.
Experience mentoring or counseling high school youth and supporting their postsecondary and career planning; backgrounds reflecting mentees’ experiences (e.g., first-generation college student, English learner, CT Alliance District graduate) preferred.
Proven ability to build and manage relationships across a diverse array of stakeholders.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Exceptional organizational skills and a track record of delivering results on time.
Basic knowledge of Google Workspace and Microsoft Office; comfortable learning new technology systems.
Ability to multitask, while remaining detail-oriented and flexible.
Capability to work both independently and collaboratively.
Skills in active listening and group facilitation.
Frequent standing, walking, reaching with hands and arms, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, and crouching required during events and program activities.
Ability to lift and/or move up to 35 pounds of materials or equipment.
Consistent operation of computers, office equipment, and presentation technology (e.g., projector, copy machine, printer).
Moderate to long periods of standing and sitting.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor’s degree is preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

Oversee career-themed pathways designed to bridge the gap between education and opportunity, working closely with leadership at ReadyCT and partner schools.
Act as a point of contact for families, school staff, and corporate volunteers, managing high-impact projects and partnerships that foster student success.
Align stakeholder efforts and assess program effectiveness to ensure students are equipped for high-growth career paths.
Support the growth and effectiveness of the school-based Industry Advisory Board (IAB) by collaborating with school administration and the IAB Chair, recruiting and onboarding a diverse IAB, preparing meeting materials, and analyzing labor market trends.
Partner with the IAB to analyze labor market trends and determine relevant industry-recognized credentials and certifications for students.
Collect and analyze data on IAB performance, contributions, and impact on student outcomes.
Collaborate with corporate and community partners to develop work-based learning opportunities for students.
Assist corporate and community partners with program development for students designed to foster greater career awareness and school engagement.
Track key metrics of success and student outcomes on a semi-annual basis.
Create opportunities at each grade level (grades 9-12) and offer career exposure programming to middle school students/ninth graders with the goal that each student’s career pathway experience culminates with a paid internship.
Serve as a liaison between corporate partner volunteers and school staff to ensure well-coordinated tutoring and mentoring programs are implemented, expanded, and sustained.
Facilitate and/or support work-based learning training and opportunities such as job shadowing, student internships, educator externships, guest speakers, field trips, etc.
Assist with the development, implementation, and annual review of the pathway curriculum and course sequence/schedule.
Conduct annual research on pathway industry-recognized credentials and ensure they are relevant and aligned with current industry needs.
Collaborate with ReadyCT staff by leading a community of practice, overseeing the "Youth Employability Skills" (YES) Academy and other high-impact summer programming, and driving student recruitment and retention.
Evaluate program effectiveness by analyzing IAB performance and student outcome data to guide continuous improvement.
Support desired student outcomes by leading strategic outreach and engagement efforts to recruit and retain a diverse student cohort.
Utilize tools and periodic assessments to analyze student success metrics, identifying key areas for growth.
Leverage comprehensive activity reports and data to build student profiles that optimize placement in academic and work-based learning opportunities.