Director, Cradle to Career Partnerships

The Director of Cradle to Career Partnerships is a strategic leader responsible for advancing a place-based, cross-sector initiative that improves outcomes from cradle to career using the Strive Together model. This role serves as the backbone leader, convening partners, aligning resources, and driving results through data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement. The position will work closely with a lead and data staff based at a local school district.

This position will lead the development and implementation of a pilot initiative in partnership with a local schooldistrict and community stakeholders in a targeted geographic area of the Midlands. The Director will oversee partnership development, initiative design, fundraising, and performance management, with the goal of scalingthe model regionally within five years. The work is grounded in improving population-level outcomes across the cradle-to-career continuum, including early childhood, K–12 success, postsecondary attainment, and workforce outcomes, with an expanded focus on housing stability.

The position is based in Columbia, South Carolina. Fully remote is not available due to the nature of the position’s community-based work. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position Summary

Backbone Leadership & Partnership Stewardship

• Partner with school district lead to facilitate coalition meetings and enhance partner engagement.
• Serve as a convener of cross-sector community partners including education, government, nonprofit, healthcare, philanthropy, and business sectors.
• Establish and sustain a shared community vision and common agenda aligned with cradle-to-career success.
• Facilitate partner alignment around priorities, strategies, and coordinated investments.
• Build trust and accountability among partners to advance outcomes.

Results-Based Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Lead the implementation of a results-based accountability framework, including shared metrics and performance tracking.
• Establish clear outcome indicators aligned to cradle-to-career milestones: o Kindergarten readiness o Third grade reading proficiency o Eighth-grade math proficiency o High school graduation o Postsecondary enrollment and completion o Workforce entry into quality jobs o Housing stability outcomes
• Drive continuous improvement cycles by supporting partners in using data to refine strategies and interventions.
• Ensure disaggregated data is used to address geographic and socioeconomic disparities.

Initiative Design & Implementation

• Lead design and execution of a place-based pilot initiative in collaboration with a school district and community partners.
• Identify evidence-based strategies and align programs to community needs and outcome goals.
• Support integration of services across sectors to improve system level impact.
• Develop a roadmap and infrastructure for scaling the pilot across the region.

Resource Development & Sustainability

• With the VP of Community Impact and United Way Resource Development team, lead a fundraising strategy including grant development, donor engagement, and public/private funding alignment.
• Develop and manage initiative budgets and ensure financial accountability.
• Align partner investments to maximize collective impact and reduce duplication.

Team Leadership & Internal Alignment

• Supervise assigned staff.
• Foster a high-performing team culture centered on collaboration, accountability, and communication.
• Align cradle-to-career work with broader organizational priorities and initiatives.

Community Engagement & System Influence

• Represent the organization in community, regional, and statewide collaborations.
• Advocate for policies and systems changes that improve cradle-to-career outcomes.
• Engage community voice, including families and youth, in strategy development and evaluation.

Position Responsibilities - Non-Essential/Other

• Support UWM events, as needed
• Participate in professional development opportunities

Beneficial Skills and Experience

• Master’s level degree in human services, health field, or related field with at least three years of experience in non-profit or local government setting.
• Experience working with school district partners.
• Knowledge of the Strive Together Cradle to Career model.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s level degree in human services, health field, or related field with at least three years of experience in non-profit or local government setting.
• Grants development or grants management experience.
• Strong organization, project management, facilitation, and communication skills.

Strong skills in Office products such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access. Additionally, experience with social media platforms is required.