Director of Career Launch

Location: 350 Church Street, 10th Floor, Hartford, CT 06103

Salary Range: $110,000 (commensurate with experience)

Website: readyCT.org

Are you a visionary leader dedicated to breaking down the barriers between high school and a thriving career? ReadyCT is looking for a strategic leader to oversee our premier career-launch pipeline programs, transforming the transition from graduation to employment into an engaging and seamless journey for Connecticut’s youth and a talent windfall for the state’s leading industries.

WHO WE ARE:

ReadyCT is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing academic excellence and career-connected learning for all Connecticut public school students. We design and deliver innovative career readiness programs that intentionally bridge the gap between K-12 education and the employers who will one day welcome graduates into the workforce. As an affiliate of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) — the state’s largest business organization — ReadyCT leverages a powerful network to amplify its mission and expand opportunity for every student.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The director of career launch provides strategic leadership and oversight for ReadyCT’s most critical bridge initiatives, including the Student 5.0 postsecondary transition program and the high-impact Submarine Workforce Career Bridge. You will lead a dedicated Career Launch team, fostering a high-performance culture focused on transitioning recent high school graduates into high-demand sector training and direct employment. This is a high-visibility role for a proactive leader passionate about creating systemic pathways from high school to career.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO THE ROLE:

• Bachelor's degree in education or a related field. A master's degree is a plus.
• 7 years of progressive leadership in workforce development, education, or nonprofit management with a track record of managing high-performing teams.
• Expertise in designing and scaling programs that support postsecondary planning, credentialing, and direct entry into the workforce.
• Proven ability to use data systems to track student progress, evaluate program efficacy, and drive organizational learning.
• Proven experience in the lifecycle of grant management, including preparing detailed program reports, inclusive of budget updates and accurate tracking of expenditures to ensure fiscal alignment.
• Exceptional ability to build and maintain strategic partnerships with industry leaders, state agencies, and workforce development boards.
  
  

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to travel frequently across Connecticut for meetings and events.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with Salesforce or a related CRM system.
• Experience with Jira and other Atlassian products (preferred).
• Strong ability to balance strategic thinking with day-to-day operational needs.
  
  

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Strategic Leadership & Program Oversight:

• Provide strategic direction for ReadyCT’s career launch programs, ensuring 100% alignment with organizational goals and employer needs.
• Drive the development and refinement of career launch models that equip students with coaching, sector-based training, credentialing, and professional learning experiences.
• Inform the overall strategy for participant recruitment, enrollment, and retention, prioritizing students from Connecticut’s Alliance Districts.
• Identify and sustain key client relationships.
  
  

Team Management & Mentorship:

• Directly manage, coach, and mentor the Career Launch team, fostering a collaborative, results-oriented, and mission-driven team culture.
• Provide ongoing professional development on data-informed case management and outreach strategies.
  
  

Data Collection, Reporting & Continuous Improvement:

• Establish and oversee rigorous data collection protocols to track student persistence, credential attainment, and employment outcomes across all postsecondary programs.
• Lead the preparation of comprehensive impact reports for the Board of Directors, grantors, and state partners, translating raw data into compelling narratives of student success.
• Regularly analyze program data to identify gaps in service or equity; implement rapid-cycle improvements to recruitment, retention, and placement strategies.
• Develop and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the Career Launch team to ensure program milestones and grant deliverables are met or exceeded.
  
  

Financial & Grant Stewardship:

• Lead the development of comprehensive program-level budgets, ensuring all resource needs are accurately forecasted and aligned with specific grant requirements.
• Actively track and reconcile all program expenditures against established budgets, providing regular, detailed financial progress reports to the executive director and leadership team, as well as external stakeholders, as appropriate.
• Ensure all program spending strictly adheres to the unique regulations and reporting standards of federal, state, and local funding streams.
  
  

Partnership & Advocacy:

• Cultivate and maintain high-level referral partnerships with institutions of higher education, sector-based training providers, and credentialing programs.
• Act as a key spokesperson for ReadyCT’s postsecondary initiatives, advocating for systemic improvements in career-connected learning.
  
  

This job description is intended to be a comprehensive overview of the director of career launch. All ReadyCT team members are charged with other duties as may be required.

ReadyCT offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, generous paid time off, and meaningful opportunities for professional growth. Most importantly, you’ll have the chance to make a lasting impact on students and communities across Connecticut.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences who share our commitment to equity and to expanding career-connected learning opportunities for every student.

readyCT.org

ReadyCT is an equal opportunity employer.