Director of Career Launch

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.