Director, Post-Accelerator Strategy

Job Title : Director, Post-Accelerator Strategy

Team : Product (Design) 

Location : Hybrid in Atlanta (GA), Chicago (IL), New York City (NY) or Newark (NJ), 

Employment Type : Full-time

FLSA Classification : Exempt 

Start Date : ASAP

About Braven

Braven is a national nonprofit that prepares promising college students to secure a strong first opportunity after college graduation through a career-accelerating program.

We work with higher education and employer partners to offer a life-changing experience that begins with a semester-long course for college students followed by support that lasts through graduation.

Together, our ambition is to help rebuild the middle class and revitalize the American Dream.

About the Role

In order to achieve its ambition of serving 80,000-100,000 Fellows over the next decade, Braven is hiring a Director, Post-Accelerator Strategy. In this role, you will work collaboratively across teams to guide initiatives that empower students to secure strong first postgraduate opportunities, which is Braven's north star outcome. As a member of the Design team, you will shape and implement the Post-Accelerator programming strategy, adapting priorities based on emerging insights, data, and research to maximize impact.

This role is on the Product team and reports directly to the Head of Design.

What You’ll Do

Set vision & direction for the Post-Accelerator programming strategy (45%)

• Based on data and research, develop and continuously reevaluate our strategy for supporting students after the Accelerator so that we achieve our strong first opportunity outcomes goals
• Engage in rigorous analysis and collaboration processes to reimagine the strategy as needed over time to align decision-making with the Head of Design and Chief Product Officer (CPO)

Manage pilot initiatives to determine strategic path forward (30%)

• Design and oversee strategic pilot initiatives that address Braven's most pressing needs and opportunities in Post-Accelerator programming, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and strategy
• Collaborate closely with the Research Team to develop learning objectives and evaluate pilot outcomes to assess effectiveness and scalability, providing clear recommendations for the strategic path forward
• Directly manage pilot execution, coordinating cross-functional efforts, timelines, and resources to ensure seamless implementation
• Socialize learnings with the broader team and lead collaborative processes to decide which Post-Accelerator interventions to invest in and which to sunset

Lateral Leadership & Collaboration (25%) 

• Direct and guide the work of cross-functional teams to contribute effectively to the Post-Accelerator programming strategy
• Manage laterally by collaborating with colleagues across teams to drive results and maintain alignment, leveraging influence and communication skills
• Develop and lead learning and development initiatives to upskill teammates across functions, ensuring they possess the necessary knowledge and capabilities to effectively contribute to and execute the Post-Accelerator programming strategy.
• Ensure both central and regional teams are aligned on the Post-Acelerator programming strategy, working in lockstep toward goals via complementary central and regional strategies, and able to explain this strategy to others internally and externally
• Lead org-wide change management efforts to ensure smooth adoption of new strategies and initiatives, building alignment across teams, addressing resistance, and fostering a culture of adaptability and continuous improvement
• Prepare to take on direct management responsibilities as the organization evolves and opportunities arise
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 8+ years of professional experience, including leadership in learning design, program strategy, and cross-functional initiatives in education, workforce development, or related fields

Preferred Qualifications 

• Proven experience in designing and implementing strategic initiatives, particularly in education, workforce development, or similar fields
• Ability to align cross-functional teams toward common goals and adapt strategies based on data and insights
• Expertise in designing and managing complex, scalable programs that involve multiple stakeholders
• Experience conducting pilots, leveraging data for decision-making, and refining interventions to maximize impact
• Strong research and analytical skills, including experience using qualitative and quantitative data to inform strategies and evaluate outcomes
• Ability to synthesize findings into actionable insights and effectively communicate them to diverse audiences
• Demonstrated success in influencing and motivating cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration, and building strong partnerships across stakeholders
• Proven ability to design and facilitate learning and development initiatives that build team capacity, enabling colleagues to acquire new skills and effectively contribute to organizational strategy
• Deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by underrepresented college students transitioning into the workforce
• Familiarity with systems and practices in higher education, employer engagement, and talent development
• Proficiency in managing multiple complex projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines, and ensuring deliverables align with organizational goals
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex strategies to both internal and external audiences
• Experience leading change management efforts within dynamic environments
• Exemplification of Braven’s core values
• Experience that has informed your belief in Braven’s mission and have prepared you to work with, or for, Braven’s student Fellow population

Please know that no one ever meets 100% of the preferred qualifications. If much of this describes you, we encourage you to apply.

Work Demands

• Ability to work in-person in Atlanta (GA), Chicago (IL), New York City (NY) or Newark (NJ) at least 3 days per week
• Ability to travel roughly six times per year for strategy meetings, team stepbacks, regional visits, etc.

Additional Requirements

• Authorized to work in the U.S.
• Braven doesn’t offer employment visa sponsorship

Application & Interview Process

While the interview process may vary slightly, the general process will be:

• Phone screen with Talent Team member
• Performance Task
• Interview with Hiring Manager
• Panel Interview with Key Partners
• Reference Checks

Benefits

Compensation and Benefits

Braven offers competitive base salaries based on the midpoint of the market among not-for-profit organizations of similar size, with opportunities for salary growth over time. We believe in compensating staff members fairly in relation to each other, their qualifications, and their impact on behalf of the organization, and take internal and external equity seriously. Given our commitment to equity, Braven does not negotiate salary offers; instead, each salary offer is determined carefully using external and internal benchmarking.

New hires can expect a starting salary at the lower end of the range, as Braven compensates based on the requirements and scope of the role rather than years of experience or prior salary , allowing for growth with performance and maintaining internal equity. The salary ranges, by geographic market, for this role are set forth $87,200-$108,900 in Atlanta, $92,000-$114,900 in Chicago, and $101,200-$126,400 in New York, NY or Newark, NJ. This is a full-time, regular, exempt, and benefits eligible position where you will be working at 100% capacity.

Braven also provides competitive, comprehensive benefits, recognition, and career development. While Braven reserves the right to change benefits at any time, current benefits include: 

• Unlimited vacation time in addition to org-wide holidays and week-long shutdowns in July and the end of the calendar year (this is a minimum of 19 days per year)

• Braven supports your path to parenthood and beyond with $25,000 in lifetime Carrot benefits for fertility, family-building, and hormonal health

• Match of your 401K contribution up to 5% of your base annual salary, starting your first full month
• Coverage of 85% of health insurance premium for employee and dependents
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• A one-month paid sabbatical after 4 years on staff

Please note that Braven is firm in its compensation philosophy; therefore, only candidates who believe that our total rewards package matches what they are looking for in their next opportunity are encouraged to apply. 

Location

We gather in the office 3 days a week (Tuesday through Thursday) and work remotely 2 days a week (Monday and Friday). Therefore, this role requires teammates to live within commuting distance of one of our hubs: Atlanta, Chicago, Newark, or New York City. We believe in the magic, connection, and collaboration that happens when people work together face-to-face and we believe in giving people flexibility to focus, balance personal priorities, and save themselves two commutes per week.

Braven is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor. We encourage talented individuals of all backgrounds to apply.