Homeoffice Manager, Advisory and Capacity Building (Remote) 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 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 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 have a growing portfolio of pilot projects—with partners throughout the country—in deploying these service offerings.  

Through this 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 collaborative, strategic, and equity-minded professional to serve as the Manager, Advisory and Capacity Building (ACB). Reporting to the Principal, ACB, the Manager will play a pivotal role in advancing OMD’s national impact by supporting high-impact pilot projects, coordinating work across multiple initiatives, and building sustainable operational practices that drive long-term growth. 

This is a unique opportunity for a mission-driven leader to shape the future of community college success nationwide. The Manager will collaborate with diverse partners—including colleges, nonprofits, and public agencies—to co-create scalable solutions that improve outcomes for low-income, first-generation students and students of color. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and is passionate about economic mobility and systemic change. 

Responsibilities:  

• Client and project management  

• Provide project management for a portfolio of three-to-five multi-year pilot projects, coordinating timely execution of ACB’s consulting support, including developing and overseeing work plans, managing timelines, and utilizing project management software to keep the team on track. 

• Oversee day-to-day communications and information sharing with project stakeholders; 

• Coordinate virtual and in person meeting design and delivery with internal and external stakeholders, including drafting agendas, sending invitations, scheduling, and completing pre-work, note-taking, and follow-up communications. 

• Manage learning communities, resource hubs, client-facing portals and other online resources to catalog OMD’s product tools and assets. 

• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis on behalf of partners under guidance from senior team members (I.e.: surveys, focus groups)  

• Gather feedback from ACB colleagues and client partners to drive continuous improvement in service-offering delivery. 

• Development and refinement of product/service offerings 

• With oversight from Principals, develop and refine OMD tools and resources for service offerings focused on 1) community college completion; 2) transfer; 3) dual enrollment; and 4) transition from college to career. 

• Test tools and solicit feedback as part of the client user experience feedback process. 

• General Project Management & Operations  

• Collaborate with colleagues in authoring reports, white papers, blogs or other communication efforts to highlight OMD programming and impact through research, data gathering, and draft development. 

• Provide project management support to various internal workstreams within ACB team. 

• Support and manage logistics for in-person team retreats, convenings and conferences.  

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; relevant master's degree preferred. 

Experience:

• Three to five years of relevant professional experience in program or project management, with a successful record of accomplishment supporting multi-partner strategic relationships and contributing to innovative projects.  

• Demonstrated experience with K-12 education, higher education, and/or workforce spaces through working with a wide range of stakeholders.  

• Some background directly engaging with and serving students is desired. Demonstrated orientation for centering the student experience in program design is requisite; 

• Comfort with making decisions within defined parameters combined with an ability to work collaboratively with a variety of external stakeholders.  

• Experience with product management, launching new bodies of work or startup organizations a plus. 

Skills:   

• Proven ability in project management, including setting and maintaining detailed project plans to coordinate teams around complex, long-term initiatives, and goals;   

• Familiarity with project management approaches and methodologies (such as Agile, Scrum, or traditional waterfall methods) and experience using project management tools for planning and tracking work. 

• Strong analytic, writing, and facilitation skills,  

• Knowledge of best practices in product development, operational infrastructure, and human-centered design is a plus.  

• Experience maintaining consistent operational systems or project management for large-scale projects or portfolios.  

• 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 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 ability to prioritize work and manage time on multiple projects and tasks to meet deadlines.  

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 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: Contributes to thinking about the future of the organization; 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.   

Flexible Location and Travel 

The Director role will be based in a home office anywhere in the U.S. and is available immediately. ACB staff are expected to travel about 10-15% for team and client meetings. Of note: the majority of OMD staff live and work in Chicago, where the organization is headquartered, the ACB team is national in its focus.  

Compensation and Benefits:  

• Salary: the salary range for this position is $72-$80K 

• 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 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.