Partners for Rural Impact’s (PRI) ultimate goal is for an America where all kids are successful, regardless of zip code, income, background, or ability. At PRI, our focus is on ensuring that all children in rural places achieve success. Partners for Rural Impact was born out of our place-based partnership in Appalachia, where we’ve worked for 25 years to create student opportunity and success.

Position Summary

The Reengaging Opportunity Youth in Deep East Texas is a regional partnership to reconnect rural young people ages 16–24 who are disconnected from school or work (“Opportunity Youth”) with pathways to a high school diploma, postsecondary credentials, and high-wage, high-demand careers. The initiative brings together six rural school districts, education, workforce, postsecondary, and employer partners to create sustainable, flexible reengagement systems and workforce-aligned education opportunities.

The Director of Opportunity Youth is a full-time, key role that will work collaboratively with local and regional partners to ensure aligned vision and execution of the work supporting young people. The Director, reporting to the Vice President, will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the initiative across six rural East Texas districts. This role will lead and align work with education, workforce, and community partners to ensure effective program implementation, accountability, and sustainability. The Director is a visionary leader with a deep understanding of rural education systems, Opportunity Youth reengagement, and cross-sector collaboration. The position leads and operates with the goal that All Rural Opportunity Youth are on a Path to Economic Mobility.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements of the position are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required, with regular and predictable attendance essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Program Management and Leadership

• Lead in the development and implementation of the Reengaging Opportunity Youth initiative across six partner school districts (Central, Diboll, Hudson, Jasper, San Augustine, and West Sabine ISDs)

• Serve as the primary point of contact between Partners for Rural Impact, Region One and Region Seven ESCs, Stubblefield Learning Center, and district leaders

• Convene and facilitate partner meetings, ensuring alignment among education, workforce, and postsecondary partners

• Hold accountability for measurable, population-level reductions in Opportunity Youth disconnection across Deep East Texas, establishing shared targets and aligning cross-district strategies

• Lead the development and execution of a multi-year regional systems roadmap, identifying structural barriers, redesigning reengagement pathways, and institutionalizing flexible, competency-based options across partner districts.

• Identify and advocate for district and state policy that advances the improvement of Opportunity Youth outcomes

• Foster strong cross-functional relationships by regularly engaging with different departments (such as Finance, Communications and Data Evaluation)

• Provide oversight, coaching, and mentoring to direct reports

Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with local employers, colleges, and community-based organizations to create aligned career pathways and “learn and earn” opportunities

• Represent Partners for Rural Impact in regional, state, and national convenings and networks related to Opportunity Youth and rural systems innovation

• Design and steward a cross-sector structure that aligns school districts, workforce systems, postsecondary institutions, employers, and community partners around shared accountability, braided resources, and coordinated decision-making.

Data, Evaluation, and Continuous Improvement

• Partner with Region One and Region Seven ESCs to oversee shared data dashboards tracking reengagement, progress, and outcomes

• Lead data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement across partner sites

• Prepare progress reports, presentations, and documentation for funders and leadership

• Monitor, evaluate, and adjust strategies as needed in collaboration with partners

Sustainability & Policy Innovation

• Support development of local sustainability plans to embed reengagement and credentialing strategies within district operations

• Contribute to statewide learning networks and policy efforts that promote flexible, competency-based pathways for rural Opportunity Youth

• Collaborate with PRI Leadership and the TLL Temple Foundation to identify strategic partnerships that enhance program development, address resource gaps, and expand opportunities for opportunity youth

• Influence and align resource flows across partners, including development of braided and blended funding strategies, investment alignment, and long-term financial sustainability planning in collaboration with PRI leadership and local philanthropic investors

• Represent PRI and the initiative in state-level policy and strategy conversations, working with the Texas Education Agency and other stakeholders to advance policy flexibilities and accountability innovations that support rural Opportunity Youth reengagement systems

• Collaborate with Texas Education Agency (TEA), Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and regional ESCs to explore policy flexibilities and accountability innovations to support Opportunity Youth

• Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary to assist and support in the attainment of our mission, All Rural Students Succeed

Position Location & Schedule

The position is an in-person position located in Diboll, Texas, with frequent local and regional travel required. Some national travel is required.

Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET with in-office, hybrid and/or remote work a possibility. Because of the nature of the responsibility to schools, partners, funders, and to the service region, individual offices or departments may have operating hours that extend beyond this period and may include evening and/or weekend hours.

Minimum Qualifications

Education required to ensure success in this position:

• Master’s degree in education, public administration, workforce development, or related field (or equivalent experience

Experience required to ensure success in this position:

• Minimum 7 years of progressive leadership experience in education, workforce, or youth development

• Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-partner initiatives or grants

• Demonstrated experience collaborating with federal, state, and local officials to inform, develop and implement policy accelerating outcomes for students, families, and communities

• Demonstrated project management experience with a focus on systems alignment, direct services, capacity building and budgeting

• Demonstrated success in a complex, fast-paced, high-performing organization, with the ability to prioritize projects and work cross-functionally

• Experience working with the Texas Education Agency, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, ESC’s, or rural school districts

Special skills, knowledge and abilities:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Superior interpersonal and organizational skills

• Collaborative and collegial leadership style

• Demonstrated ability to cross boundaries of race, class, ethnic origin and personal philosophy; capacity to work effectively with a broad range of constituencies

• The skills to effectively represent Partners for Rural Impact in meetings for sharing knowledge, collaborating and building partnerships

• Competencies to effectively supervise staff and consultants

• Strong knowledge of rural education systems, CTE, and dropout recovery or reengagement strategies

• Familiarity with data systems, outcomes tracking, and grant reporting.

• Background in Opportunity Youth programming, workforce readiness, or postsecondary success initiatives

License, certification, or registration necessary:

• Valid driver’s license

• Successfully complete pre-employment background check

Physical requirements:

• Ability to work in a high energy office

• Ability to accurately communicate and exchange information with partners, stakeholders, and/or meeting participants

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 lbs

• Ability to travel independently by car and plane regionally and nationally

• Ability to operate standard office equipment

• Ability to operate motor vehicle

Environmental conditions:

• Work in a fast-paced setting with frequent interruptions and shifting priorities
  

Additional Company Information

PRI offers a wide array of benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, and health needs of you and your family.

• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.

• Flexible spending accounts, plus an employee assistance program.

• Life and long-term disability insurance and retirement plan.

• Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, and annual holidays, in addition to paid parental leave.

• Tuition assistance and professional development for employees.

Partners for Rural Impact is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.