Director, Student Programming

Career Pathways Initiative (CPI) is a mission-driven organization whose goal is to bridge the gap in social capital for first-generation, low-income (FGLI) college students by equipping them with the skills, networks, and confidence to succeed in the workforce. CPI partners with universities and corporations to support FGLI students by providing them with career services expertise and access to our network of corporate professionals.

CPI launched in January 2024 with a successful pilot at Wake Forest University, beginning with a 14-student junior cohort. 500 students enrolled in our program this year and CPI has partnerships with highly selective universities including Bentley, BC, BU, Middlebury, Richmond, UNC-Chapel Hill, UVA, Vassar, Wake Forest, and Yale. We also have a significant number of students from schools like Cornell, Harvard, Johns Hopkins and Penn. The average GPA of students is 3.6 and we have students from a variety of majors.

We are seeking a collaborative, entrepreneurial, and mission-driven Director, Student Programming to oversee the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of CPI’s student experience. The Director will manage a team of Program Managers and play a key role in ensuring that CPI delivers high-quality programming, mentorship, and career readiness outcomes for FGLI college students.

You’ll be a great fit if you thrive in an entrepreneurial environment and take pride in both developing and executing a strategic vision. This role requires a hands-on leader who excels at content development, program execution, and team management for student programming. The ideal candidate understands the unique challenges faced by FGLI college students and is passionate about advancing educational and professional equity.

The Director will lead a team of Program Managers and play a critical role in shaping CPI’s next phase, from an early-stage startup to a nationally recognized leader in equitable talent development.

Responsibilities:

Content creation and management

• Lead the ongoing development, refinement, and enhancement of CPI’s student programming, curriculum, workshops, and learning content.
• Maintain high-quality and consistent program delivery across university partners by monitoring outcomes and leveraging student and stakeholder feedback.
• Ensure CPI’s programming reflects best practices in student development, career readiness, and the unique needs of FGLI students.

Program leadership and management

• Manage and coach a team of 4 Program Managers responsible for implementing programming.
• Maintain a collaborative, growth-oriented team culture focused on student impact and operational excellence.
• Develop and implement systems to assess and improve program effectiveness based on data, student feedback, and industry best practices.

Data and reporting

• Track program outcomes and student progress through data-driven systems.
• Compile and communicate program performance reports for internal stakeholders.
• Use insights from data to inform decisions and enhance program delivery.

Representation

• Research, identify, and recommend conferences, summits, and convenings where CPI should present, exhibit, or attend. Represent CPI as needed.

Qualifications:

• 8 years of experience in education, workforce development, or program design within a scaling or entrepreneurial organization or edtech company.
• Track record of building impactful programs from concept to scale such as launching pilots, testing assumptions, and codifying systems for growth.
• Strong data fluency: You don’t just value data, you use it. You are always looking for data to inform strategic decisions, and you’re comfortable rolling up your sleeves to run a pivot table or pull your own insights when needed.
• Demonstrated success managing teams and leading cross-functional execution.
• Experience designing learning experiences or career readiness content for college-aged students.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred (Education, Business, or related field).

To apply: Email your resume and cover letter to David Lucey at dlucey@careerpathwaysinitiative.com