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 Associate Director, Integrated Strategies, Transitions is a full-time position that reports to the Director of Integrated Strategies. The Associate Director, Integrated Strategies, serves as both a content-area leader and cross-functional contributor responsible for advancing whole-child, cradle-to-career strategies across PRI’s service area. This role leads the design and implementation of high-impact strategies within a defined content area while operating as a flexible “utility player” across Integrated Strategies initiatives. Engagement is embedded across all aspects of the role, serving as a foundational element of how strategies are designed, implemented, and sustained within the whole-child, cradle-to-career framework. The Associate Director partners with internal teams, grants, and community stakeholders to ensure alignment, scalability, and continuous improvement of PRI’s work.

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.

Content Area: Transitions

• Lead the development and implementation of transition programming across key milestones (early childhood, middle school, high school, postsecondary)

• Develop and scale strategies related to family engagement, student voice, and whole-child engagement

• Integrate transition strategies with academic, attendance, and wellness priorities

• Design and deliver engaging, high-impact programming and training for students and stakeholders
• Apply and scale best practices in transitions across PRI communities
  

Content Area Leadership (Primary Focus)

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of high-impact strategies within the assigned content area aligned to whole-child, cradle-to-career priorities

• Serve as a subject matter expert, identifying and scaling evidence-based practices that improve outcomes for children and families

• Develop and communicate models, frameworks, tools, and training materials to support consistent implementation across PRI communities

• Lead content-specific initiatives aligned to grant goals, organizational priorities, and funder expectations

• Conduct research and site visits to identify exemplary practices and translate findings into scalable resources
• Ensure fidelity of implementation for content area strategies across PRI-supported communities

Cross-Functional Integrated Strategy & Execution

• Contribute to Integrated Strategies priorities beyond the primary content area

• Collaborate with team members to integrate the assigned content area with other priority areas into cohesive strategies

• Support the development of shared frameworks, tools, and approaches across content areas

• Flex across projects and initiatives based on organizational priorities and grant needs

• Identify opportunities to connect content area strategies to broader cradle-to-career systems
• Strengthen team effectiveness by contributing to cross-functional planning and coordination

Stakeholder Engagement & Capacity Building

• Serve as a strategic advisor and thought partner to project teams, district leaders, and community stakeholders

• Facilitate planning sessions, Results-Based Facilitation engagements, and professional learning experiences

• Build partner capacity through coaching, facilitation, and training to support effective implementation

• Develop and maintain strong relationships across PRI’s service area
• Communicate strategies and concepts clearly through presentations, facilitation, and written materials

Systems, Data & Continuous Improvement

• Implement and model results-based accountability and continuous improvement frameworks

• Use data to inform strategy, decision-making, and program improvement

• Monitor implementation progress and outcomes, identifying opportunities for refinement

• Collaborate with data and evaluation teams to support measurement and reporting

• Apply systems-thinking approaches to improve performance, efficiency, and scalability
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, grant requirements, and risk management protocols

Team & Organizational Contribution

• Serve as an active member of the Integrated Strategies Leadership Team

• Collaborate with team members to strengthen alignment and shared ownership of outcomes

• Contribute to the development of internal structures, tools, and processes

• Share knowledge and best practices to support team effectiveness

• Participate in team planning, reflection, and continuous improvement efforts

• Support broader organizational priorities and initiatives as needed

• 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

This role is primarily based in Appalachian Kentucky, with additional work in Texas, Missouri, and other locations as needed. Hybrid or remote work may be considered. Periodic travel for in-person meetings is required.

Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with in-office and/or remote work a possibility. Because of the nature of the responsibility to schools, partners, funders, and 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:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred

Experience required to ensure success in this position:

• At least five years of experience in teaching, consulting, instructional leadership, educational research, training, communications, or a related field required with a Master’s degree

• At least five years of experience in teaching, consulting, instructional leadership, educational research, training, communications, or a related field required with a Bachelor’s degree

• Clear understanding of research and evidence-based programs, practices, and pedagogy

• Demonstrated knowledge of the whole-child approach of creating environments that are supportive, engaging, safe, healthy, challenging, and empowering to help students thrive

• Experience implementing initiatives in rural schools and communities

• Experience building positive, welcoming, and inclusive school culture

Special skills, knowledge and abilities:

• Strong oral and written communication skills

• Effective interpersonal, collaboration, and organizational skills

• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver training aligned to whole-child principles

• Project management skills, including planning, coordination, and execution

• Working knowledge of key content areas, including arts integration, academic support, mentoring, student voice and leadership, wellness, and attendance

• Ability to design and facilitate engaging, high-impact programming for students and stakeholders

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and general computer applications

• Commitment to a growth mindset and inclusive approaches to school culture and whole-child development

• Strong attention to detail, particularly in planning and executing events, conferences, and summits
  

License, certification, or registration necessary:

• Access to reliable transportation

• 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

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.