Manager, Regional Apprenticeship, LAUNCH

We are seeking a Manager to join FoundationCCC in its mission of benefitting, supporting, and enhancing the California Community Colleges—the largest and most diverse system of higher education in the nation. Together, we are building stronger communities by getting students and colleges the resources they need to succeed and expanding pathways to economic and social mobility across California. Join us as we continue this important work to uphold the value of community colleges in building a brighter future.  

What You’ll Do

The Foundation's Collaborative Impact Department, through the LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network, seeks a Regional Manager, Apprenticeship to play a critical role in the department's success by applying deep project management skills and facilitation experience to ensure high-quality design and delivery of specific registered apprenticeship and work-based learning programs. A Regional Manager will assist community colleges with the development and expansion of innovative strategies to support registered apprenticeship implementation efforts. 

•  Provides overall direction, support, and subject matter expertise for registered apprenticeship technical assistance, OJT, Paid Work Experience and Paid Internships

•  Function as a central liaison among consortium stakeholders, and employer partners at conferences, forums, meetings and the Chancellor's Office

•  Develops evaluations and metrics to showcase milestones and success stories

Attributes for Success    

• Must be a self-starter, quick learner, problem solver, and highly motivated and resilient.

• Excellent presentation skills, project management skills, group facilitation skills, and technical skills, with an ability to prioritize tasks and deliver quality products within agreed upon timeframes, with limited supervision.

•   Experience in state and/or federal grant management principles, and CTE Workbased learning fundamentals

• Innovation, creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurship are encouraged as employees work to achieve organizational goals 

• FoundationCCC blends the impact of a non-profit, the culture of an entrepreneurial start-up, and the scale of a state agency 

What We Offer 

FoundationCCC is fully committed to a “remote-first” philosophy, and recruits and hires talent across the state in fully remote positions, where virtual work is possible. Our headquarters are located in Downtown Sacramento, just blocks from California’s State Capitol.  

Benefits 

• Competitive compensation, generous PTO, holidays  

• Medical, dental, and vision plans, Flexible Spending Accounts, and Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and Wellness offerings 

• CalPERS retirement program and optional 403(b) and 457 Retirement plans 

• Tuition reimbursement 

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness certified employer  

Please see the job description below:

The Foundation for California Community Colleges is on a mission to double its impact in the next ten years. We are a group of relentless optimists and innovators in education, working collaboratively with public and private partners to improve the student experience and expand pathways to economic and social mobility in communities across California. The LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network is a member of the Collaborative Impact team of the Foundation for California Community Colleges and supports meaningful connections between students and employers in California through work-based learning and support services. Our role is to support efforts to bring relevancy and real-world experience to students in California through growing the quantity and quality of work-based learning, with an emphasis on registered apprenticeship, but also includes job shadowing, classroom presentations, internships, and other job training opportunities. 

The Foundation's Collaborative Impact Department, through the LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network, seeks a Regional Manager, Apprenticeship to play a critical role in the department's success by applying deep project management skills and facilitation experience to ensure high-quality design and delivery of specific registered apprenticeship and work-based learning programs. A Regional Manager will assist community colleges with the development and expansion of innovative strategies to support registered apprenticeship implementation efforts. 

This position represents an exciting opportunity to help shape and lead program development and technical assistance related activities for initiatives that focus on the expansion of new and innovative pre-apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships as pathways for low-wage workers to secure middle-skill jobs in California and addressing racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in the labor market.

• Provides overall direction, support, and subject matter expertise for registered apprenticeship technical assistance work in the field for assigned regional consortium, with a specific focus on working within the community college system. 

  • Spearhead registered apprenticeship technical assistance efforts within the assigned region, concentrating on strengthening apprenticeship initiatives in the community college ecosystem.

  • Develop operational frameworks and workflow management strategies designed to optimize resource allocation, enhance program scalability, and achieve established regional objectives.

  • Serve as the subject matter expert on apprenticeship models, demonstrating in-depth knowledge of On-the-Job Training (OJT), Paid Work Experience, and Paid Internships.

  • Promote and integrate best education-to-work practices across all apprenticeship service areas, ensuring alignment and synergy among various programs, partners, and stakeholder groups.

• Leads the technical assistance services for the assigned regional consortium

  • Provides direction, development, and execution of support services for apprenticeship programs from design through implementation.

  • Manages grant/contract budgeting for the region, actively works with LAUNCH leadership to secure additional funding for regional sustainability.

  • Develops and manages ongoing regional consortium deliverables: monthly webinars with regional partners, weekly LAUNCH Team check-ins, data collection and analysis, grantee guidance, online community of practice, grant reporting etc.

  • Manages partnerships with state, county and city agencies, as well as other key stakeholders for systems alignment work.

• Design and Execute Educational-to-Workforce Integration

  • Continually identify innovative instructional practices and workforce strategies that can be embedded in community college curricula, ensuring high-quality student engagement and robust industry relevance.

  • Leverage in-depth understanding of postsecondary education structures to guide the seamless integration of apprenticeship components into both existing and novel academic programs.

  • Align best instructional frameworks with DAS, Department of Labor, and other regulatory requirements to maintain compliance while championing traditional and non-traditional learning methodologies.

• Stakeholder Engagement and External Presentations

  • Represent apprenticeship programs and the broader state-level through external conferences, industry forums, and public meetings, showcasing milestones, impact metrics, and success stories.

  • Lead collaborative outreach and networking efforts that build strong relationships with consortia leadership, employer organizations, apprenticeship committees, and content-specific workgroups within the assigned region.

• Strategic Liaison and Partnership Building

  • Function as a central liaison among consortium stakeholders, including the Division of Apprenticeship Standards, the Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship, labor unions, associations, and education aligned apprenticeship networks.

  • Actively seek to expand employer partnerships, particularly with industry associations and key regional employers, to enhance workforce connections for the assigned consortium’s colleges and drive sustainable apprenticeship pipelines.

• Leadership and Team Management

  • Collaborate with the LAUNCH staff leadership team to coordinate field activities, address emerging challenges, and harness strategic opportunities in real time.

  • Provide direction and mentorship to the Collaborative Impact LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network team, reinforcing effective organizational strategies, fostering a culture of collaboration, and ensuring alignment with overall organizational goals.

  • Oversee the creation and maintenance of supportive team environments where collaboration, professional growth, and proactive problem-solving thrive.

• Apprenticeship Ambassadorship and Relationship Cultivation

  • Serve as an ambassador for the Foundation in high-level meetings and official events, particularly in discussions with the Chancellor’s Office, advocating for policies and programs that support equitable access to apprenticeship opportunities.

  • Champion shared leadership principles and organizational values, consistently promoting transparent communication, team-based decision-making, and inclusive stakeholder engagement.

  • Actively network and strengthen external partnerships to identify new programmatic and funding avenues, providing strategic input on business development and partnership opportunities.

• Operational Sustainability 

  • Track and analyze program data to identify trends, inform program refinements, and maintain rigorous accountability for apprentice success and compliance requirements.

  • Create and oversee systems for sustainable program practices, ensuring long-term viability of apprenticeship pathways and workforce initiatives across the assigned region.

  • Engage in proactive risk management, staying ahead of evolving compliance guidelines, industry shifts, and emerging workforce demands.

• Additional Duties

  • Undertake special projects and tasks as assigned, consistently aligning outcomes with the LAUNCH’s mission, strategic objectives, and the evolving needs of California’s workforce development needs.

• May be responsible for training, development, work assignments and performance evaluations.   

• May provide feedback and coaching opportunities, some oversight of job duties, and work product review for junior staff.

• Proven ability to manage by influence and ability to build and maintain credibility.

• Receives general direction as to goals and the achievement of those goals. Evaluated based on the successful performance of essential job duties and responsibilities and achievement of goals. Subject to broad communications associated with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

• Experience and ability to manage personnel to achieve goals and maintain high-performing team culture.

• Experience and ability to develop and implement strategic plans.

• Experience and ability to implement processes and management approaches that demonstrate commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

• Experience in state and/or federal grant management to include budget management, allocation, and success workplan deliverables completion.

• Excellent project management, group facilitation, and technical skills, with an ability to prioritize tasks and deliver quality products within agreed upon timeframes, with limited supervision.

• Demonstrated ability to research, analyze, synthesize, and communicate complex topics to a variety of audiences, in a variety of formats (e.g. toolkits, reports, graphic displays, presentations).  

• Ability to manage multiple projects and clients with competing interests and needs.

• Exceptional ability to build and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Willingness to assist others with completion of tasks outside their typical responsibilities when work volume exceeds anticipated levels.

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences, from C-suite professionals to inexperienced youth.

• Must be a self-starter, quick learner, problem solver, and highly motivated and able to work on a fast-paced team.

• Ability to exercise good judgment and escalate critical issues and sensitive matters as necessary.

• Ability to work remotely and navigate various technology platforms (Zoom, MS Office Suite-Teams, Outlook, Salesforce Lightning and other database programs, Google Suite, etc.).

Attributes for Success

• Passionate about providing students with stronger pathways to education and building a more just and equitable California overall.

• A self-starter and quick learner who is highly motivated and outcome-oriented, always seeking innovative approaches to project execution.

• A commitment to continuous improvement and professional development.

• A strategic and creative thinker who can problem-solve, working within and across teams to swiftly respond to needs identified across the California Community Colleges.

• Practices ownership, takes accountability, and has the ability to manage own work, prioritize tasks, and deliver quality products on time with limited supervision.

• Ability to work on a fast-paced team and build and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Knowledge of, or willingness to learn about, the California Community College system and the Foundation’s mission.

Education and Experience 

• Minimum Requirements

• Minimum of four (4) years of related work experience in workforce development, apprenticeship, and/or higher education.  

• Minimum of four (4) years of progressive experience in managing program/system implementation or project management. 

• Fundamental knowledge of work-based learning and apprenticeship concepts required. 

• Demonstrated writing and presentation skills required.

• High proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and experience with Excel required.

• Preferred Requirements

• Reside within the assigned consortium’s service area

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business administration, public administration, education, social services, or a closely related field.

• At least five-six (5-6) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in management of education programs focused on career and technical education retention, academic performance, categorical compliance, contract and funding procurement/management within the CA Community College System – of which three (3) years should be in a supervisory capacity of programs and/or projects relevant to assigned areas of responsibility within LAUNCH.

• Work-based learning or apprenticeship program administration experience

• Successful experience in managing and leading complex and diverse projects

Working Hours, Location, and Travel 

This is a full-time position, 40 hours per week, with additional hours as needed to address the organization’s needs. This is a California-based position, with the flexibility to work remotely (in California) or in person at the regional consortium office. This position will require moderate travel to attend meetings, conferences, and perform other essential functions of the job.

Physical Requirements

The Foundation may make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job’s essential functions/physical requirements. The following physical requirements are essential to the performance of this position:

• Must be able to remain in stationary position up to 4 hours at a time and 8 hours total in a day. 

• Ability to constantly work at a computer workstation for up to five consecutive days.

• The person in this position frequently communicates with internal office staff and/or external third parties who have inquiries about their job tasks. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.

• Ability to frequently move and/or remain in a stationary position without breaks during meetings. 

• Ability to constantly operate a computer. 

• Ability to perform repetitive movements (e.g., typing and filing) and operate and use common office equipment (e.g., copy machine, printer, telephone).