Organization Summary

 The U.S. Education Delivery Institute (EDI) is an innovative, nonprofit organization that focuses on how to implement large-scale system change in public education.  Our mission is to support K-12 and higher education systems with ambitious reform agendas and invest in their leaders’ capacity to delivery results.  By employing a proven performance management approach known as delivery, we help state leaders to maintain focus on planning and driving reform. 

 EDI was launched in May 2010 by The Education Trust and Achieve.  Sir Michael Barber, former head of the U.K. Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit, provides founding leadership and continuing guidance.  Kathy Cox, former State Superintendent of Georgia, serves as CEO.

 EDI supports state leaders in both K-12 and higher education in achieving their key education priorities of increasing the number of students who graduate from high school to be ready for college or a career.  We also help them develop strong plans focused on closing gaps amount their student populations.  Our EDI team provides these leaders with intensive on-the-ground support, data and analytics, ongoing professional development and a network through which state systems can collectively build their capacity.

 In higher education, our EDI team supports the national Access to Success (A2S) initiative, designed to increase the number of college-educated Americans and ensure that graduates include far more young people from low-income and minority families.  A2S consists of more than 20 state university systems that educate more than three million undergraduates nationwide and that represent approximately one-third of the low-income and minority students attending four-year colleges and universities in the U.S.

Position Summary

 This is a full-time position.  The Higher Education Management Manager plays a key role in the work of EDI and is expected to lead delivery work in priority state systems.  He/she serves as a dedicated coach, problem-solver, and relationship manager with senior leaders of participating systems.  The Higher Education Engagement Manager will use proven techniques – collectively known as delivery – to support system leaders’ implementation efforts.

 The EDI Approach

 EDI utilizes a proven performance-management framework for implementation.  Specific knowledge of these methods is not a prerequisite, although contextual knowledge is expected.  EDI will provide in-depth training and technical support to ensure the individual is well-versed in the art of delivery.

The Higher Education Engagement Managers will use three strategies to support the work of higher education system leaders: 

• Direct Support.  Each participating system is assigned a team that provides in-depth, on-the-ground assistance for a sustained period of time (e.g., 12-18 months).  During this time, EDI builds the capacity of partner systems by coaching system leaders on how to apply delivery tools, develop and execute core routines, and build a delivery culture in the broader system.
  • Network Support.  Tri-annual network meetings and monthly webinars reinforce delivery concepts through a combination of presentations and interactive exercises to equip state leaders to implement delivery strategies in their own context.
  • Additional Resources.  Finally, all participating systems have access to EDI’s online learning community and our print resources, such as Deliverology 101:  A Field Guide to Delivery.

 

Position Responsibilities

Successful candidates will have strong leadership, coaching and interpersonal skills, as well as in-depth understanding of details on key higher education policies, practices, and data issues.  This work requires individuals who are highly credible with system leaders and able to quickly build counseling relationships.

The Higher Education Engagement is expected to support education systems as they undertake the five stages of delivery in support of system goals.  To do this, he/she must build the in-state capacity of system leaders to eventually operate independently of outside support.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Aiding higher education systems to set the foundation for delivery (e.g., working with system leaders to define their aspirations and review existing delivery capacity).
• Helping the system to design and build a group focused on driving achievement of system aspirations, appropriate for the organization’s mission.
• Building the capacity of this group, the delivery unit, through formal training, feedback, and role modeling.
• Helping the delivery unit and system leaders establish metrics, set targets, and measure performance against benchmarks, as well as providing guidance on data analysis and presentation.
• Working with the delivery unit and system leaders to set trajectories for success and write implementation plans to reach established goals.  This work also includes helping individual actors understand their contribution to reaching the system’s broader goals.
• Working with the delivery unit to analyze the efficacy of system activities and identify potential improvements.
• Establishing routines that allow state leaders to identify and address problems early.
• Cultivating relationships and alliances with key stakeholders at all levels of the system.
• Communicating the importance of delivery to state and district leaders, community members and other relevant stakeholders.

 

 Candidate Profile

Candidates should have substantial relevant post-graduate work experience, knowledge of undergraduate issues and higher education governance structures, and an understanding of the federal and state policy landscape. Candidates with public education management and/or private sector strategy consulting experience are strongly encouraged to apply. 

We are looking for candidates with strong management, coaching, analytical, and communication skills, as well as contextual knowledge ofcollegestudents, educational institutions, and higher education data. The individual is expected to travel at least 40 percent of the time.

• Experience
  1. Advanced degree required. Suitable graduate degrees include but are not limited to EdD, MPA, MBA, JD, and PhD.
  2. At least seven years of full time work experience in relevant settings (e.g., college/university campus or higher education system office) required.  Experience in relevant fields relating to the improvement of education outcomes for low-income and minority studentsis desirable.         
  3. Demonstrated history of managing teams to achieve high-performance targets and experience building strong relationships with a broad base of stakeholders
• Knowledge, Skills & Qualities
  1. Highly motivated leader with a strong orientation towards results and outstanding communication skills.
  2. Proven ability to build strong relationships, both as a coach and as a leader, across all levels of an organization.
  3. Strong strategic thinking capabilities, including the ability to disaggregate problems and structure complex issues.  Must have a facility with data, as evidenced by ability to develop hypotheses and recommendations on the basis of data sets. 
  4. Able to provide clear structure when faced with ambiguous environments.
  5. Deep understanding of relevant policies and practices in higher education—at both the state and local level.
  6. Exceptional organizational skills, as evidenced by an ability to juggle and appropriately prioritize multiple competing priorities, with an eye toward timely follow-up and deadlines.
  7. Proven managerial experience including providing clear expectations and offering coaching and feedback to develop clients and colleagues.
  8. Strong orientation towards results; entrepreneurial spirit; self-motivated.
  9. Adaptable to growing, fast-paced, diverse, results-oriented culture.
  10. Demonstrated ability to function in an environment characterized by ambiguity and change.
  11. Proficient with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

 

Benefits & Salary

Salary for this position is competitive and depends on prior experience. In addition, a comprehensive benefits package is included.

 Application Process

Provide a cover letter and resume to be considered for this position. Please send both documents to the attention of Rebecca Martin, Deputy Director, at info@deliveryinstitute.org. Position will be open until filled; review of applications will begin on September 21, 2011.

 

EDI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity in all facets of the organization’s work.