Director of Education Partnership

Impact

About Junior Achievement of Central Iowa® (JA)

Junior Achievement is education for what’s next. As a strategic partner collaborating with educators, employers, investors, leaders, and the communities they serve, we are dedicated to helping students achieve academically today and economically tomorrow. As a local leader in experiential learning backed by a national network and a century of experience, we are driving toward lasting change. This means ensuring a generation of students has the transferable skills and competencies needed to navigate a rapidly changing world. By delivering career-connected learning, we are invested in accelerating economic mobility through education. By helping students become confident, capable, and connected today, we can ensure they have access to opportunity-filled futures tomorrow. Junior Achievement of Central Iowa reaches more than 43,000 students annually across 200 schools and is part of JA USA, which serves 4.6 million students annually across nearly 100 U.S. markets. Learn more at www.jacentraliowa.org.

Primary Responsibilities:

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Serve as JA of Central Iowa’s primary relationship lead for school districts, responsible for building, deepening, and sustaining district partnerships that expand access to JA programs.
- Lead the recruitment, onboarding, and integration of new school district partners for programs and in alignment with organizational capacity and strategic priorities.
- Build and maintain strong, trust‑based relationships with superintendents, curriculum directors, principals, and district leadership, providing regular program updates, alignment discussions, and partnership planning.
- Oversee and manage District Partnership Agreements, ensuring alignment across all Education department verticals and coordinating implementation as capacity allows.
- Provide direct oversight for the implementation and quality of in‑school programs, ensuring fidelity to JA models while aligning with district instructional priorities and needs.
- Collaborate closely with the Director of ELCs and Director of 3DE to ensure cohesive district engagement, consistent messaging, and integrated education strategies.
- Collaborate with the Director of Community Impact on business – school opportunities.
- Lead district partnership presentations and planning discussions with prospective districts, schools, and instructional leaders to support program adoption and expansion.
- Actively represent JA within the broader education community, strengthening JA’s visibility and credibility within local and statewide education ecosystems.
- Manage identified curriculum and program budgets, and oversee processes related to program materials and coordination with JA USA.
- Provide leadership and supervision for Education Managers, including goal setting, coaching, performance management, and professional development to ensure high‑quality program delivery.
- Guide the development and refinement of new education programming outside of ELC and 3DE, based on JA USA initiatives, district needs, and strategic opportunities.
- Ensure program quality and consistency by overseeing adherence to implementation models and managing any required program variances.
- Serve as staff liaison to designated board committees, as assigned.
- Serve as a member of the JA of Central Iowa Leadership Team, participating in EOS meetings and organizational leadership initiatives.
- Participate in organizational crisis communication planning and response, as needed.

OTHER DUTIES

- Support JA special events and cross department initiatives as appropriate and aligned with leadership responsibilities.
- Perform other duties as assigned in support of organizational priorities.

Qualifications (required)

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE DESIRED

- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred (Education, Leadership, or related field)
- Minimum of five years of relevant experience in K–12 education, nonprofit partnerships, or working with school districts/public systems
- Proven ability to build and manage relationships with district leaders (e.g., superintendents, curriculum directors, principals)
- Background in curriculum, instruction, or school-based program delivery, with the ability to align programming to district priorities
- Experience leading initiatives or partnerships across multiple schools or districts
- Demonstrated people leadership experience, including supervising and developing staff
- Strong understanding of K–12 systems and district decision-making processes

CORE SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES

- Strong relationship-building and communication skills; able to engage and influence district-level leaders
- Effective presenter and facilitator in partnership and program discussions
- Organized and able to manage multiple priorities across districts
- Self-directed, collaborative, and solutions-oriented
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment
- Proficient with standard technology tools

Qualifications (desired)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands are representative of a typical office work environment and must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Additionally, the person in this role will be required to occasionally lift or carry 25-50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Junior Achievement is committed to an inclusive culture that celebrates diversity. We encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. In all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Application Process