Position 

The Manager for Postsecondary Initiatives will provide staffing support to the IHE Collaborative and its related projects, with an emphasis on postsecondary access. This position will primarily support the convening of local educational, business and civic leaders dedicated to strong K-12 to postsecondary pathways for traditional, nontraditional and special populations of students, including foster or formerly foster youth. This will include the L.A. Compact's Postsecondary Matriculation workgroup and involvement in partnerships like the L.A. College Promise. The manager will also connect our higher education systems change efforts with UNITE-LA's higher education programming efforts, such as L.A. Cash for College.

About Us 

Over the past 20 years, UNITE-LA has established itself as a trusted education and business intermediary, dedicated to supporting the development of an effective local public education system, so that ALL children and youth succeed in college, career and beyond. Through the intersection of programming, policy and systems change efforts, UNITE-LA works to increase access to high-quality early childhood education, develop career pathways in high-growth industries, improve college access and success, and ensure workforce readiness, especially for individuals with high barriers into the workforce. 

UNITE-LA is the convener of the L.A. Compact, a bold commitment to close the education and workforce gaps caused by poverty, racism and inequity. For more than a decade, the L.A. Compact has acted as a bridge builder - convening and mobilizing leaders from education, business, government and civic organizations who believe that talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not. The Compact's Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) Collaborative is a regional consortium of 11 colleges and universities that are committed to advancing all L.A. Compact goals, emphasizing "all students graduate from high school," "all students complete postsecondary education" and "students of all ages acquire skills and knowledge to achieve career success." 

Core Competencies and Responsibilities 

• Program Development – In coordination with our L.A. Cash for College team, the Manager will relaunch Let's Go to College LA, a direct student service program for students navigating their first year of college. In doing so, manage a team of college student ambassadors who provide near peer support to students. 
• Strategy Development – Work with IHE Collaborative members and the L.A. Compact team to develop and launch a strategy to enhance the high school-to-college handoff. Lead in identifying workgroup priorities, guide strategy development and assess strategic opportunities. 
• Interpersonal Communication – Develop and maintain effective and collegial working relationships with external partners and stakeholders, including but not limited to, college and university faculty and administrative leaders, K-12 personnel, elected officials and their staff, local government agencies and college students. 
• Written Communication – Independently prepare professional written correspondence and maintain accurate records and files for L.A. Compact workgroups, including meeting agendas, minutes and other materials. Prepare written summaries and reports for multiple audiences and formats, such as but not limited to e-newsletters, web and social media and grant reports. 
• Meeting Facilitation – Help plan meetings and convenings for IHE Collaborative workgroups and initiatives and manage scheduling, help develop agendas and co-facilitate meetings.
• Project Management – Work closely with the L.A. Compact and the College Access and Success teams to manage project work plans and track grant deliverables. Manage multiple projects and simultaneous work streams, applying judgment to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Other duties as assigned to support UNITE-LA’s higher education initiatives and cradle-to-career agenda, including through programming, advocacy and research.

Qualifications 

The ideal candidate will bring the following skills and experience:

Master’s degree in public policy, public administration, education, education policy, higher education administration or related field with 2-3 years of relevant work experience, OR bachelor’s degree in similar fields with 3-5 years of relevant work experience.

Relevant work experience and desired skills may include: 

• Experience building effective relationships with diverse stakeholder groups, including college students, faculty, administrators, civic leaders and business leaders 
• Experience facilitating meetings, particularly with diverse stakeholder groups 
• Knowledge of the postsecondary education landscape, including policy, research and best practices for student success in Los Angeles and broadly 
• Developing logic models, work plans and/or project designs from conception to delivery 
• Commitment to improving outcomes for underrepresented and underserved student groups 
• Strong interpersonal skills with a high level of comfort in networking settings 
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and produce high quality work 

Compensation 

The Manager of Postsecondary Initiatives position is a full-time position with a starting salary of $55,000-$62,000, commensurate upon experience. This position will be either exempt, salary or non-exempt, hourly dependent on candidate's experience and final salary with full benefits including paid sick leave, vacation, 401(k) participation, health, vision and dental.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands 

This position based in Los Angeles, CA. Work will be remote until COVID-19 conditions improve and allow for in-person attendance at our downtown Los Angeles office. Occasional travel is required. 

To Apply 

Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter to [email protected] using the email subject line "Manager of Postsecondary Initiatives" on or prior to May 12, 2021. 

UNITE-LA is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to promoting a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, gender or national origin. 

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

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