Principal, Advisory and Capacity Building (Remote or Illinois-based) bei One Million Degrees

About One Million Degrees: 

One Million Degrees accelerates community college students’ progress on career pathways to economic mobility. 

Over 60% of students who start community college do not complete a degree or successfully transfer to a four-year institution. However, 84% of jobs in the US require skills training beyond high school. OMD’s holistic support model is designed to support community college students as they work toward degrees and careers. From tutors and coaches to financial assistance and professional development, OMD helps community college students succeed in school, work, and life, transforming their futures and the futures of those around them for generations.  

The OMD student support model is rooted in evaluation and evidence: A randomized controlled trial conducted with the University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab shows that OMD scholars are 70% more likely to enroll, 94% more likely to persist, 73% more likely to earn a degree.  

OMD is pursuing scale both through its direct service model with the City Colleges of Chicago and by launching a new, national expansion division: Advisory and Capacity Building (ACB), which provides consulting support and technical assistance to organizations seeking to build out OMD programming in their own unique contexts. ACB has developed or is developing four service offerings as part of this work that are focused on: 1) advancing community college completion, particularly for low-income, first generation and students of color; 2) supporting more equitable transfer outcomes for students transitioning from community college to university; 3) strengthening dual enrollment pathways to facilitate more high school graduates matriculating in and completing community college; and 4) propelling economic mobility post-graduation by aiding in the transition from community college to the workforce. We currently have a portfolio of five pilot projects—with partners throughout the country—in deploying these service offerings. Throughout this growing body of work, OMD seeks to promote its role as a national model for sustainable, scalable, and systemic change.  

OMD Values: 

OMD is deeply committed to our core values, as demonstrated in the work we do, our approach to change and growth, and our commitment to our staff.  

• Equity: We address historical and existing systemic inequities by taking a holistic approach to supporting students on their path to economic mobility. 

• Excellence: We hold ourselves to a high bar and provide exceptional support so that students are empowered to achieve their ambitions. 

• Community: We unite around putting students first, collaborating with partners, and celebrating our collective wins. 

• Learning: We each adapt to a changing world and refine our approach to support students, community members, staff, and stakeholders along the way. 

• Amplify: We advocate for our students and share what we've learned as leaders in the field. 

Position Summary:  

One Million Degrees (OMD) is seeking a visionary, equity-driven leader to serve as Principal of Advisory and Capacity Building (ACB). Reporting to the Executive Director of ACB, the Principal will play a pivotal role in shaping and scaling OMD’s national impact. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead innovative pilot projects, co-create service offerings with diverse partners, and drive systemic change particularly in the dual enrollment/dual credit context but also in community college completion, transfer and workforce transitions. The Principal will steward high-level relationships with colleges, K-12 Districts, intermediaries, and public agencies, while architecting and implementing solutions that improve outcomes for low-income, first-generation students and students of color. Ideal candidates will bring deep expertise in higher education, a track record of strategic leadership, and a passion for educational equity. 

Specific duties and responsibilities of the Principal, Advisory and Capacity Building include but are not limited to:  

• Partner Management and Project Execution: Lead a portfolio of OMD’s Advisory and Capacity Building consulting projects:   

• Oversee and run regular meetings with “client” community colleges and intermediaries, with project management support from ACB Director.    

• Hold primary responsibility for stewarding partner relationships, and, as such, liaise with senior community college leaders and equivalent executives at affiliate intermediary organizations to set shared vision for projects and, when necessary, troubleshoot on challenges with support from ACB Portfolio head;   

• Drives timely and effective implementation of ACB’s four service offerings, described above, according to project plans: 1) community college completion; 2) transfer; 3) dual enrollment; and 4) transition from college to career.  

• Serve as lead consultant on two or three multi-year projects implementing our community college completion and/or university transfer or early college programs. 

• Contribute to sustainability of programming through engagement with college, system, and political leadership to facilitate expansion and continuity post-pilot.  

• Ensures fidelity of implementation of OMD’s evidence-based model at all project sites.   

• Lead new dual enrollment service offering: Serve as ongoing architect for ACB’s “minimum viable product” (or service offering) supporting dually enrolled students in matriculating to and completing community college and launch inaugural pilot projects in the dual credit/dual enrollment domain across the state of Illinois.  

• Stand up the planning phase for three pairings of community colleges and K-12 districts and provide technical assistance to support the development of student programming in the ‘26-’27 academic year  

• Facilitate ongoing collaborative design processes for adapting OMD’s holistic support model within a dual enrollment context;   

• Develop framework and corresponding tools to deploy technical assistance to client partners;  

• Research and incorporate best practices into product related to propelling degree attainment and economic mobility among dually enrolled low-income, first generation and students of color. 

• Ensure excellence in provision of dual enrollment service offering during implementation throughout the multi-year pilot.  

• Consider how best practices in work-based learning could be applied in dual enrollment context.  

• Contribute to community college completion service offering: Support ACB’s largest expansion projects, in collaboration with Complete College America, that is engaging multiple community colleges in multiple states to boost community college completion based on OMD’s core community college completion model.  

• Support growing cohort of colleges in OH, LA and TX who are implementing OMD programming on their campuses;  

• Develop tools and other collateral in providing technical assistance to colleges. 

• Contribute to transfer service offering: Leverages expertise to provide technical assistance to partners and refine the design and accompanying collateral for ACB’s “minimum viable product” (or service offering) focused on community college transfer to a four-year university.   

• Create tools and refine technical assistance protocol for community colleges, universities, and intermediaries to facilitate deployment of OMD’s transfer service offering;   

• Identify and incorporate best practices for supporting transfer and propelling economic mobility among low-income, first generation and students of color into program model;   

• Oversee ACB Manager responsible for day-to-day project management of pilots:  

• Supervise and foster professional growth of director who will provide project management support on assigned portfolio of pilot projects;   

• Provide guidance to project director in developing meeting agendas and prioritizing project implementation; 

• Strategy, Data and Portfolio Growth: Assists ACB Executive Director in crafting strategy for ACB and contribute to vision for the future growth of the portfolio:  

• Collaborate with the Executive Director to imagine and roll out strategies that facilitate growth and impact for the ACB portfolio. This includes identifying opportunities for new service offerings or enhancements to existing offerings; 

•  Serve as a thought partner to identify the most compelling strategies to drive equity and inclusively engage partners through pilot projects; 

•  Engage with program evaluators to ensure effective collection of key performance data and subsequent analysis of program impact. Utilize program evaluation data to identify program improvement opportunities and developing the approach to program improvement; 

• In coordination with OMD’s Advancement Team, build relationships with prospective clients and secure new partnerships;   

• Participate in activities like authoring reports, white papers, blogs, or other communication efforts to highlight OMD programming and impact; 

• Represent OMD at speaking or media events, partnership meetings, conference presentations, and webinars. 

Qualifications and Requirements:  

Qualified candidates must possess a “can-do” work ethic and mindset, strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills, and must believe in the role of OMD’s holistic program model in the success of community college students. This is a position requiring evolving responsibilities, and we are looking for someone to be agile with us as our ACB portfolio grows and is refined. The position is ideal for a highly motivated leader and team player who wants to play a pivotal role in OMD’s growth and development.  

Education  

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master or PhD in education, public policy, or related field preferred.   

Experience 

• 12+ years of relevant professional experience in higher education, preferably in community college administrative leadership or similar experience working with higher education on program design and delivery; 

• Successful track record managing multi-partner, strategic relationships, and leading innovative projects to impact organizational growth. Some consulting and client-management experience preferred, ideally as a project lead and with a strong understanding of how to translate user needs into service offerings;  

• Content expertise in K-12 education, higher education and/or workforce spaces through experience working with a wide range of stakeholders, including school districts, higher education institutions, state education agencies, industry associations, employers, advocacy groups, national education organizations, and foundations. Particular knowledge sought regarding strategies to propel economic mobility among low-income, first-generation and students of color attending community college; 

• Deep knowledge of best practices in facilitating successful transfer for community college students preferred;  

• Deep knowledge of best practices in dual enrollment, either through a K-12 or community college lens preferred;  

• Proven track record of developing effective partnerships and collaborations across stakeholders and interests;  

• Direct experience developing and leading the strategic plans or successfully supporting large-scale change efforts;  

• A track record of generating creative, innovative solutions to problems; 

• 5+ years of people management.   

Skills:   

• Proven ability in client management, consulting protocols, product management, and/or project management;  

• Strong analytic, research, writing, and facilitation skills, and the ability to collaborate with stakeholders across a variety of sectors;  

• Knowledge of best practices in product development, starts ups, improvement science, and/or human-centered design is a plus;  

• Experience establishing and maintaining consistent operational systems for large-scale projects or portfolios, including budget, data and grant management;  

• Proficient practice with issues of diversity, specifically around race, class, gender, ability, and equity in the workplace. Effective storytelling that is honest and represents diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Prioritizes diversity and inclusion considerations when making strategic decisions and relationships that advance the mission;  

• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively—candidates should be self-motivated and comfortable within a largely virtual working environment, and enthusiastic team players open to feedback and collaboration.  

• Well-rounded interpersonal skill set, with the presence and capacity to build relationships, work effectively in teams, and facilitate joint problem-solving with other staff and external partners.  

• Excellent organizational skills and keen attention to detail, with demonstrated experience and ability to prioritize work and manage time on multiple projects and tasks to meet deadlines.  

• Strong collaboration and influence skills, demonstrating an ability to navigate organizational relationships, incorporate differing perspectives, develop recommendations, and generate consensus with partners across teams  

Traits:  

• A learner: Curious, eager to learn and innovate with an orientation toward “failing forward” and experimentation;   

• A hustler: Highly motivated by keeping many balls in the air in order to expand OMD’s impact;    

• A visionary: A bold, outcome-focused approach that is informed, data-driven and empathetic to the needs of the student population.   

• An ambassador: Proud to represent OMD in the national conversation about higher education and workforce;   

• A strategic thinker: Considers the future of the organization proactively and responsively; weighs diverse inputs to inform strategies; identifies innovative opportunities when relevant   

• Cultural humility: ability to work effectively with diverse staff/team, students, and campus/community partners building trusting relationships with a broad cross-section of audiences.   

• Educational Equity: Relentless drive to close equity gaps in education and passion about serving students, including a total belief in the potential of all scholars to succeed and excel.   

Location and Travel 

The Principal role may be based remotely within the U.S., with preference given to candidates located in Chicago or Illinois. While most OMD staff are based in Chicago, the ACB team operates nationally. Travel is expected approximately 10–15% for team collaboration and client engagement.  

Compensation and Benefits  

• Salary: the salary for this position is $120,000-$135,000* 

• Full Health Benefits –Provided for all full-time employees, including medical, dental, and vision. OMD pays 100% of individual’s basic monthly health premium  

• Employee assistance program, which offers confidential emotional support, work-life solutions, legal guidance, financial resources, and more  

• Retirement Benefits – For full-time employees, OMD offers a 401(k) plan and matches retirement contributions up to 4% of total salary   

• Generous Paid Time Off Policy– OMD has 12 paid holidays and offers up to 15 days PTO in year one  

• Monthly cell phone and internet reimbursement up to $50/month  

• 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birthing and non-birthing parents  

• Professional Learning Opportunities – OMD supports employee development in areas relevant to professional and organizational goals and will pay for training such as workshops and conferences as agreed upon by employee and supervisor  

*To allow OMD to set salaries based on market data and internal equity, and to ensure fair and equal pay for every role, we offer our best offer first.   

To apply for this position, please submit your resume and an accompanying cover letter. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. 

One Million Degrees is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation, and evaluate all candidates based on merit.