Senior Director of Strategic Engagement

Reach University

Senior Director leading ADNet and partner-facing engagements at National Center for the Apprenticeship Degree. Ensuring quality delivery across NCAD’s partner and network portfolio.

Posted 7/27/2026full-timeRemote • South Carolina • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $115,000 - $130,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in program development and management within higher education, with a focus on the Apprenticeship Degree model and workforce development. Proven ability to lead multi-stakeholder engagements, facilitate technical assistance, and manage complex projects in grant-funded environments.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Program DevelopmentHigher Education AdministrationTechnical AssistanceFacilitation SkillsStakeholder Engagement

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Program ManagementAccreditation ProcessesWorkforce DevelopmentNetwork ManagementConsultingPerformance TrackingFunder ReportingSubject Matter Expert SupervisionMulti-Stakeholder CoordinationComplex Workstream Management

Soft Skills

Strong Communication SkillsLeadershipCollaborationTrust BuildingAdaptability

Certifications & Qualifications

Master’s Degree in Relevant Field

Industry Keywords

Apprenticeship DegreeWork-Based LearningHigher EducationCapacity BuildingMember EngagementGrant-Funded EnvironmentsInstitutional PartnershipField EventsStrategic CommunicationsDiversity in Programming

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

ADNet Program Leadership
● Lead execution and coordination of ADNet in alignment with the Executive Director’s strategic vision and growth priorities
● Own all phases of the cohort lifecycle: selection, onboarding, engagement, convenings, and alumni transition
● Develop and continuously improve ADNet programming, materials, and onboarding resources
● Ensure ADNet programming is differentiated and responsive to the diverse needs of member institutions — by sector, geography, and stage of Apprenticeship Degree development
● Ensure ADNet activities are integrated with NCAD’s broader capacity-building offerings and national knowledge infrastructure
Partner-Facing Engagement and Technical Assistance
● Lead and support partner-facing capacity-building engagements, serving as a senior NCAD point of contact for active institutional partners
● Conduct site visits, facilitate technical assistance sessions, and support partner progress across the Apprenticeship Degree development continuum
● Steward active and alumni partner relationships, maintaining trust, momentum, and alignment with NCAD’s approach and standards
● Identify opportunities to deepen or expand engagement within the existing partner portfolio
SME Supervision and Deployment
● Direct and deploy subject matter expert contractors across NCAD’s partner engagements, ADNet programming, and field-building activities
● Match SME expertise to partner and network needs, ensuring high-quality, contextually appropriate support across Apprenticeship Degree verticals
● Manage SME performance, deliverables, and alignment with NCAD’s standards and strategic priorities
● Provide dotted-line direction to NCAD Fellows on ADNet-specific scope, deliverables, and timelines
Convenings and Field Events
● Lead design and execution of ADNet convenings, including in-person and virtual sessions
● Support planning and execution of ICAD, NCAD’s international convening on the Apprenticeship Degree
● Oversee programmatic quality for all ADNet convenings in alignment with the Executive Director and in partnership with NCAD staff and fellows
● Represent NCAD at partner events, ADNet-related engagements, and national field convenings
Strategic Communications and Member Engagement
● Develop and deploy targeted communications for ADNet members and affiliated stakeholders
● Collaborate with NCAD’s MarComms function to ensure consistent brand alignment and member experience across all ADNet and partner-facing touchpoints
● Drive new partner outreach and pipeline development tied to ADNet cohort growth
Cross-Functional Coordination
● Coordinate across NCAD staff and relevant Reach University units to ensure smooth delivery of ADNet and partner-facing programs
● Support budget operations and internal workflow planning tied to this role’s portfolio
● Support performance tracking and funder reporting for ADNet and partner engagements in collaboration with the Executive Director and Project Manager

Requirements

What you’ll need

Education: Master’s degree required in a relevant field, including but not limited to Higher Education Administration, Educational Leadership or Management, Curriculum and Instruction, Workforce Development, Organizational Leadership, or a closely related discipline.
Experience: Minimum 7 years of progressively increasing leadership experience, including significant work in higher education — with demonstrated expertise in program development, accreditation processes, workforce development, and institutional partnership — combined with substantial experience in network or membership program management, partner-facing technical assistance or consulting, and facilitation at scale.
Skills: Demonstrated ability to manage a complex, multi-stakeholder field-facing portfolio; experience supervising and deploying subject matter experts or contractors in a consulting or technical assistance context; strong facilitation skills across diverse audiences including administrators, faculty, employers, and state agency staff; knowledge of the Apprenticeship Degree model and work-based learning landscape across multiple sectors; strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to manage multiple complex workstreams simultaneously; comfort operating in grant-funded environments with funder accountability and reporting requirements.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health Insurance: We provide medical, vision, and dental insurance plans to ensure you and your family are well-covered, plus additional wellness programs.
Flexible Time Off: We offer a Flexible Time Off policy, empowering you to take the time you need when you need it, without the constraints of a traditional vacation policy.
Flexible Remote-Only Workplace: Enjoy the freedom to work from anywhere with our flexible remote-only work environment, fostering a balance of workload and rest.
Professional Development Support: We are committed to your growth and development, offering support for professional development opportunities to help you advance in your career.