Executive Director, Career Pathways

School District of Philadelphia•Philadelphia, PA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Director, Office of Career Pathways leads the District's comprehensive strategy for career-connected learning, workforce development, and postsecondary success. Establishes and leads the Office of Career Pathways (OCP), a districtwide initiative designed to ensure that every student graduates with a clear, supported, and actionable pathway to postsecondary education, employment, military service, or entrepreneurship. Serves as the District's senior leader responsible for developing and implementing a unified system of career-connected learning that aligns Career and Technical Education (CTE), work-based learning, employer engagement, postsecondary readiness, and workforce development initiatives. This position is responsible for designing and executing a citywide strategy that connects students to high-quality career pathways aligned with Philadelphia's labor market needs while ensuring equitable access to career-connected experiences for all students. The Executive Director works collaboratively with District leaders, school administrators, employers, postsecondary institutions, workforce intermediaries, government agencies, and community organizations to build sustainable systems that support student success and economic mobility. Oversees the development of strategic partnerships, employer engagement systems, student pathway infrastructure, accountability measures, and long-term outcome tracking. The position requires a leader who can operate strategically while managing complex implementation efforts across multiple stakeholder groups and organizational structures.

Requirements

Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Education, Public Administration, Business Administration, Workforce Development, Organizational Leadership, Economic Development, or a closely related field.
Seven years of full-time, paid, professional experience in education, workforce development, postsecondary readiness, economic development, youth development, or a related field, three of which shall have been in an administrative or supervisory capacity and have included responsibility for managing and developing a team of direct reports and leading large-scale strategic initiatives involving multiple stakeholder groups and organizational partners.
Demonstrated knowledge of career-connected learning systems and workforce development strategies.
Demonstrated knowledge of postsecondary readiness, work-based learning, apprenticeships, internships, and career pathway development.
Demonstrated knowledge of labor market trends, workforce alignment strategies, and talent pipeline development.
Demonstrated knowledge of strategic partnership development with employers, higher education institutions, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
Demonstrated knowledge of equity-focused program design and implementation practices.
Demonstrated knowledge of program evaluation, performance management, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Demonstrated knowledge of data analytics, reporting systems, and outcome measurement practices.
Demonstrated knowledge of budgetary practices and procedures.
Demonstrated knowledge of supervisory methods and techniques.
Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations applicable to public education and workforce development initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to develop and execute a comprehensive districtwide strategy that advances career readiness and economic mobility.
Demonstrated ability to build and sustain strategic partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives in a large urban organization.
Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret workforce, student, and programmatic data to drive decision making.
Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with District leadership, external partners, employers, community organizations, and elected officials.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and manage a diverse team of professionals.
Demonstrated ability to secure and steward public and private investments.
Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer and related technology systems.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across stakeholder groups.

Responsibilities

Leads the strategic design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the District's Office of Career Pathways and its associated career-connected learning strategy.
Develops and executes a multi-year implementation plan to establish and scale career pathways across all District high schools.
Establishes policies, systems, and structures that align career-connected learning initiatives across District offices, schools, and external partners.
Collaborates with senior District leadership to ensure career pathways initiatives support the District's strategic priorities and student achievement goals.
Provides strategic leadership regarding workforce development trends, labor market demands, and career readiness opportunities.
Ensures coherence and alignment among CTE, work-based learning, postsecondary readiness, dual enrollment, employer engagement, and other career-connected learning initiatives.
Serves as the District's primary executive liaison for career pathway partnerships and employer engagement initiatives.
Develops and manages a citywide Employer Partner Network that provides internships, apprenticeships, mentorships, industry projects, career exposure opportunities, and other work based learning experience.
Cultivates and maintains strategic relationships with employers, higher education institutions, workforce development agencies, industry associations, labor organizations, and community based organizations.
Coordinates employer engagement efforts across District departments to create a streamlined and consistent partnership experience.
Identifies and secures public, private, and philanthropic investments to support pathway expansion and long-term sustainability.
Oversees the development and implementation of industry-aligned career pathways connected to high-wage, in-demand occupations.
Ensures alignment between career pathways, labor market needs, industry credentials, dual enrollment opportunities, and postsecondary programs.
Collaborates with academic and curriculum teams to integrate career-connected learning experiences into classroom instruction.
Directs the review and alignment of industry certifications and workforce credentials to support student access to meaningful employment opportunities.
Promotes innovation and continuous improvement across career-connected learning initiatives and pathway programs.
Ensures equitable access to high-quality career-connected learning opportunities for all students.
Oversees systems that support student career awareness, exploration, pathway selection, work based learning placement, and postsecondary planning.
Collaborates with school leaders, counselors, College and Career Coordinators, and central office staff to ensure effective implementation of pathway initiatives.
Monitors participation trends and outcomes to identify and address disparities among student populations.
Develops resources, tools, and professional learning opportunities that support school-based implementation of career-connected learning programs.
Leads the development and implementation of a comprehensive data management system to track student participation, pathway completion, employer engagement, postsecondary outcomes, and workforce success.
Establishes performance metrics and accountability systems to measure program effectiveness, equity, and long-term student outcomes.
Analyzes and reports data related to participation, employer engagement, postsecondary enrollment, employment outcomes, and the District's "4 E's" framework: Enrollment, Employment, Enlistment, and Entrepreneurship.
Provides regular strategic updates and comprehensive reports to Senior District Leadership regarding pathway performance, workforce trends, and implementation progress.
Uses data and stakeholder feedback to inform continuous improvement and strategic decision making.
Builds, supervises, and develops a high-performing team responsible for career-connected learning, employer engagement, pathway development, and operational support.
Develops and manages departmental budgets, grants, contracts, and other resources supporting the Office of Career Pathways.
Oversees project management, operational planning, and resource allocation to ensure successful implementation of District priorities.
Represents the District at local, regional, and national meetings related to workforce development, career readiness, and postsecondary success.