Vice President, State Data System Advancement
Indianapolis, Indiana / Washington, DC
Strada Education Foundation – Clear Outcomes /
Full-time /
Hybrid
The Vice President for State Data System Advancement holds a pivotal role in engaging with and effectuating change in state postsecondary education to employment data systems across the United States.
The position will serve as a key leader within the Data Ecosystem team and be responsible for leading engagements with state system leaders and national organizations involved in enhancing state data infrastructure. The role will oversee Strada’s support for the Postsecondary Employment Outcomes Coalition, supporting the Coalition’s efforts to improve federal and state data system infrastructure in alignment with Strada’s Clear Outcomes priorities. The position will cultivate partnerships with existing grantee partners, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Credential Engine, among others, and spearhead the development of new strategic partnerships to enhance education to employment data systems. This role demands a dynamic thinker capable of both leadership and collaboration in advancing Strada's mission and the priority initiatives for the Data Ecosystem team.
The position requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and a proven track record in leading changes with state postsecondary education and/or employment data systems. The VP must have extensive knowledge and expertise relating to state government and postsecondary to employment data systems, along with the ability to collaborate effectively with an array of stakeholders within state agencies and across state government. Additionally, the position requires staying abreast of national trends in integrated data system development, and the ability to translate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
Strada Education Foundation is a national nonprofit social impact organization that supports programs, policies, and organizations that strengthen connections between education and employment in the U.S., with a special focus on helping those who have faced the greatest challenges securing economic opportunity through postsecondary education or training (PSET). Our new strategic plan focuses on five strategic pillars: clear outcomes, quality coaching, affordable PSET, work-based learning, and employer alignment.
We work with partners in education and training, nonprofit organizations, industry, startups, and public policy. We leverage strategic philanthropy, investments, research, communications, advocacy, and collaborating organizations as tools to help advance equitable pathways to opportunity. Strada aspires to be a nonprofit partner of choice working with education and training providers and leaders, policymakers, and peer organizations. Strada offers a dynamic, collaborative, and inspiring professional environment that provides learning and professional development opportunities, both within the organization and with external partners.
This position is a hybrid role and requires the candidate to reside in or relocate to either Washington, D.C. or Indianapolis, Indiana.
Key Responsibilities: Four core responsibility areas, listed below with the approximate percentage of time required for execution.
- Lead Strada’s Implementation of the State Data System Roadmap and Engagement with the PSEO Coalition (40%)
- Lead Strada’s engagement with state postsecondary education to employment (E2E) data system leaders through our ongoing partnership with the Postsecondary Education Outcomes (PSEO) Coalition; manage the PSEO Coalition grant from Strada and define the long-term vision for the role of the PSEO Coalition within the national data ecosystem
- With the administrator of the PSEO Coalition, establish and manage a compelling annual symposium and other regular meetings with Coalition members
- With the administrator of the PSEO Coalition, manage an annual grant and support program to states to support their continued advancement against the State Data System Roadmap; develop and implement a robust strategy for technical assistance to states to improve E2E data systems in alignment with the Roadmap
- Building from the state data system analysis performed for the 2024 State Opportunity Index (SOI), manage (with external contractual resources, as necessary) annual updates to the Stata Data System Roadmap portion of the SOI
- Build Ecosystem Partnerships to Support the State Data System Roadmap and other Clear Outcomes Priorities (25%)
- Establish, manage, and grow relationships with various partner organizations that can provide support to states making progress against the State Data System Roadmap, including those with whom Strada has existing grant relationships (U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation JEDx project, Credential Engine, Rutgers Education and Employment Research Center)
- Along with the CEO and CDEO, help foster state-level partnerships for a new national nonprofit data trust for non-degree credentials
- Develop, Prioritize, and Execute New Clear Outcomes Strategic Initiatives Involving the Advancement of State Data Systems (20%)
- Working closely with the CDEO, develop and shape new strategic initiatives for 2025 and beyond that will strengthen state education-to-employment data systems in support of Strada’s North Star and Clear Outcomes visionActively engage in the national dialogue relating to state E2E data systems, including fostering strong relationships with relevant national organizations (DQC, NGA, SHEEO, CCSSO, etc.) and furthering Strada’s initiatives through participation in national conferences
- Contribute as a Leader of the Data Ecosystem Team; Collaborate With Other Teams; Advance DEI (15%)
- Serve as an active, collaborator leader within the Data Ecosystem Team, identifying key team functions for ownership and execution
- Serve as the liaison between the Data Ecosystem team and other Strada teams relating to engagement with state systems, including the Policy, Advocacy, and Communications team and the Employer Engagement team
- Support an inclusive workplace culture through actively engaging in the diversity, equity, and inclusion learning agenda of the Data Ecosystem Team and across the organization
Key Performance Indicators to Success (Only new employees or new roles; QUAD to capture for current employees) Within 9-12 months, success in the core responsibility areas looks like.
- PSEO Coalition Engagement Effectiveness: Strada has increased engagement of state postsecondary education to employment (E2E) data system leaders within the PSEO Coalition, with more than 15 states in the coalition having in place plans for system improvement in alignment with Strada’s State Data System Roadmap.
- Partnership Growth and Impact: Key national influencers and policy leaders and influencers have expressed support for the work of the PSEO Coalition and the State Data System Roadmap. The Data Ecosystem Team has fostered at least three new partnerships to provide technical assistance or other resources that foster state data system improvement initiatives.
- New partnerships for non-degree credentials: With the CDEO, at least three state partnerships have been developed and are functioning to utilize non-degree credential data administered through the non-degree credential data trust.
- New initiatives. With the CDEO, at least one new strategic initiative has been shaped for the upcoming year that will strengthen state education-to-employment data systems in support of Strada’s North Star and Clear Outcomes vision.
- Collaboration and DEI Advancement: The position is active and collaborative Data Ecosystem team member, contributing to key team functions, and actively engaged in Strada’s and the team’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and learning agendas.
The Person: Qualifications and Experience
Education
Bachelor's degree required
Experience Required
At least 4+ years of experience serving as a leader for state education to employment data systems, either within a state agency or with an organization working directly with state agencies. Experience in both high-impact public-sector (education-related, government, and/or nonprofit) and private-sector settings. Demonstrated ability to design, develop, and execute strategic and operational plans. Demonstrated ability to build multi-organization partnerships.
Preferred Experience and Education
Advanced degree preferred
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.
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—a proven collaborator, able to work with colleagues at all levels in the organization.
Personal Attributes: Excels under pressure, in a fast-paced, high-profile work environment. Enjoys meeting needs/deadlines of internal and external stakeholders. Operationally-minded manager, who can identify and capture efficiency, quality, and effectiveness improvements. Relationship builder, motivator, and team player. Positive attitude and energetic. Sound judgment and impeccable character.
Travel Requirements
The position is based in either Washington, D.C. or Indianapolis, Indiana. The position will be expected to travel to quarterly Data Ecosystem team meetings and semi-annual Connection Week gatherings. In addition, the position must travel as needed for national conferences or in-person meetings relating to responsibilities of the role.
Typical Physical & Mental Demands
Requires prolonged sitting with some bending, stooping and stretching; eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, telephone, and other office equipment. Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to record, prepare and communicate appropriate reports. Also requires moderate to intense concentration due to complexity and/or need to meet deadlines, and flexibility to readily adapt to a changing environment.
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.
