Fast Facts

Join Strada Education Foundation as the Vice President, Quality Coaching - State Initiatives to lead transformative educational coaching efforts at the state level, driving equitable pathways to economic opportunity for learners.

Responsibilities: Lead the design and implementation of strategic coaching initiatives statewide, build partnerships with key stakeholders, manage grants and projects, and foster an inclusive team culture.

Skills: Strong leadership in strategy execution, relationship building, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; excellent communication and problem-solving abilities.

Qualifications: Preferred experience in educational policy, coaching systems, and partnerships with educational institutions; a proven track record in operationalizing strategic initiatives.

Location: This is a hybrid role based in Washington, DC or Indianapolis, IN, with local in-office work required at least twice a week.

Compensation: $171250 - $209500 / Annually

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO

Strada Education Foundation is a nonprofit social impact organization dedicated to improving lives by strengthening the connections between education and economic opportunity. We focus on helping individuals—particularly those facing the greatest barriers—navigate postsecondary education pathways that lead to good jobs.

Our work spans research, philanthropy, strategic investments, and public policy, with a sharp focus on five mission-aligned areas: clear outcomes, quality coaching, affordability, work-based learning, and employer alignment. We partner with education and training providers, nonprofits, employers, policymakers, and innovators to support more equitable, effective education-to-career pathways.

JOB LOCATION

This is a hybrid role based in Washington, DC or Indianapolis, IN, with an expectation of working in-office at least two days per week.

WHY IS THIS POSITION OPEN?

This new leadership position reflects Strada’s deepening investment in quality coaching as a cornerstone of postsecondary success. As we expand our partnerships and programs at the state level, we are seeking a visionary and collaborative leader to help shape and scale education-to-career coaching efforts across systems. The Vice President, Quality Coaching – State Initiatives will play a pivotal role in guiding state-level strategy, engaging key education stakeholders, and developing scalable coaching models that help students navigate pathways from high school to meaningful careers.

WHAT IS THE DEPARTMENT CULTURE LIKE?

Strada’s Quality Coaching team is strategic, mission-driven, and deeply collaborative. We work across departments and sectors to strengthen student support systems that connect learners with personalized guidance and career navigation resources. We value equity, innovation, and scalable solutions that make a measurable difference for learners across the country.

WHY SHOULD I APPLY?

If you are passionate about building equitable education systems, designing scalable coaching initiatives, and engaging with policymakers and partners to drive impact, this role offers the opportunity to lead meaningful change. You’ll be joining a national effort to redefine career guidance at scale—and help every learner find a pathway to purpose and prosperity.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a leader on the Quality Coaching team, the Vice President, Quality Coaching – State Initiatives (VPQCSI) will lead and support initiatives, investments, research, programming, and policy efforts focused on advancing high-quality coaching at the state level. This role will be highly visible and collaborative—serving as a thought leader and advocate for career navigation resources and systems that help learners align their interests and talents with meaningful postsecondary pathways.

The VPQCSI will work closely with Strada’s Senior Vice President of Quality Coaching, the Vice President of Quality Coaching – Postsecondary Education, and external leaders across K-12, community college systems, state agencies, and nonprofit intermediaries.

WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN US

At Strada, you’ll be part of a national movement to ensure that every learner—especially those furthest from opportunity—can access guidance, resources, and support systems that lead to economic mobility. You’ll shape strategy, foster partnerships, and lead change in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Develop, Prioritize, and Execute Strategic State-Level Coaching Initiatives (30%)
Lead the design and implementation of strategic coaching initiatives across states.
Provide technical assistance and thought partnership to state leaders.
Monitor outcomes and recommend strategies for scaling or adjusting efforts.
Ensure initiatives align with best practices, technology tools, and field insights.
Build and Manage Partnerships with Core State Stakeholders (30%)
Cultivate and manage partnerships with SHEEOs, K-12 leaders, community college systems, policymakers, and nonprofits.
Represent Strada in national forums and policy conversations.
Develop toolkits, guides, and resources to support scaling of quality coaching models.
Collaborate with Strada’s Policy team to support advocacy and funding strategies.
Manage Grants, Projects, and Cross-Functional Collaborations (25%)
Lead and support grant-making strategies in collaboration with the Director of Quality Coaching – Innovation and Impact.
Partner with internal teams, grantees, and third-party consultants to develop and expand tech-enabled coaching tools.
Connect Quality Coaching efforts with Strada’s research, policy, and strategic initiatives to maximize impact.
Support Team and Organizational Health and DEI (15%)
Foster an inclusive, equitable culture both internally and across coaching initiatives.
Embed DEI principles into program design and stakeholder engagement.
Support Strada’s broader DEI goals through leadership, participation, and policy alignment.

$171,250 - $209,500 a year

plus annual bonus

The pay range listed is based on national compensation benchmark data and may vary depending on skills, experience, job-related knowledge, variations in cost of labor, and in some cases, geographic location. The exact job offer will be determined based on several factors such as the candidate’s individual skills, qualifications and experience relative to the requirements of the role. The range displayed with the job posting represents the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across the U.S. The company also reviews and considers internal equity (current employee salary) when hiring new employees to the organization. The range is the expected starting base salary for someone hired into this position with room to grow professionally, including increased earning potential beyond the starting pay range. Beyond a new hire’s base salary, Strada also offers all full-time employees a comprehensive employee benefit package.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT: This role requires approximately 15–20% nationwide travel to represent Strada at convenings, collaborate with partners, and support the advancement of state-level coaching initiatives.

Mission and Values Alignment:

Committed to providing equitable pathways to opportunity through PSET, particularly for individuals who have faced significant barriers. Demonstrated alignment with Strada's guiding values, commitment to building a strong and healthy workplace culture, and working in a collaborative environment.

Strategy and Innovation Leadership:

Adept at operationalizing strategy and effectively communicating strategic endeavors within the organization and in external contexts, both verbally and in writing. Particular skill in designing annual plans, monitoring progress, and refining plans as needed. Adaptable with tolerance for ambiguity. Able to problem-solve and navigate varied viewpoints. Capacity to refine efforts based on evidence that change is needed. Ability to lead efforts to visualize and monitor change. Capability to see and support innovative ideas and opportunities across the organization, and to embed innovation within operational plans. Capabilities in taking the perspective of others and adapting an agenda and approach – toward a shared aim - accordingly.

Strategic Problem Solving:

Ability to effectively utilize a hypothesis-driven approach to problem solving, with effective quantitative and communication skills. Ability to take on broad-reaching and sometimes ambiguous questions while working collaboratively and cross-functionally with Strada team members across the organization.

Execution and Operations Leadership:

Ability to translate innovative, strategic ideas into tangible, actionable steps, as well as to effectively monitor progress and partner with others on identifying improvements during implementation to increase the likelihood of successful execution.

DEI Commitment:

Commitment and professional experience advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within and organization, including incorporating stakeholder perspectives in the design, implementation, and evaluation of strategic efforts.

Relationship Building and Collaborative Capabilities:

Demonstrated ability to cultivate, grow, and manage positive, mutually beneficial relationships at all levels of an organization and with partners outside the organization. Strong communication, interpersonal and relationship management skills—including identifying and working through challenges—underscored by strong judgment and emotional intelligence. Proven collaborator, able to work with colleagues at all levels in the organization.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to Strada’s organizational vibrancy, employee experience, and mission. Strada is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workplace-certified by Diversity for Social Impact, a strategic professional and organization development company dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion to drive social impact worldwide. We strongly encourage applicants from people of color/the global majority, immigrant, bilingual, and bicultural individuals; people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ and gender nonconforming communities; and people with other diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. We believe every member on the team enriches our workplace by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and discover, design, and deliver critical insights and solutions.

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Vice President, Quality Coaching - State Initiatives