We invite you to join us to be a catalyst for educational opportunity, workforce readiness, and long-term community transformation. Help build a future where all students in Tarrant County can learn, thrive, and succeed.
United Way of Tarrant County (UWTC) is searching for a VP of Education and Youth Opportunity (VP) to be a strategic leader within the Community Investment-Programs (CI-Programs) department. Reporting directly to the EVP and Chief Impact Officer (CIO), the VP will shape and lead the organization’s education portfolio to improve student outcomes across the cradle-to-career continuum. This role will integrate early childhood development, literacy development, K-12 academic achievement, youth workforce development, and college and career readiness to create an equitable, seamless pathway for student success. The VP will focus on foundational academic milestones—3rd grade reading and math proficiency—as predictive drivers of long-term educational and career readiness.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Public Policy, Social Work, or a related field required; Master’s degree in Education, Public Policy, Social Work, or a related field preferred.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Must be eligible to work in the United States (No Sponsorship)
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in education, nonprofit, or public systems.
• Expertise in early literacy, math instruction, education, or youth development.
• Strong understanding of the intersections between education and workforce development.
• Proven experience managing complex education and career-readiness initiatives with measurable outcomes.
• Experience working across public and private sectors with diverse stakeholders and funders.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated success in team leadership, budget management, and strategy implementation.
• Passion for United Way’s mission
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to construct, articulate and implement the annual strategic plan
• Strong ability to translate business objectives and strategies to develop plans to facilitate organizational growth
• A professional and resourceful style with the ability to work independently and as a team player to take initiative and to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively impact equitable program delivery
  Supervisory Responsibilities: 1-5 direct reports responsible for educational initiatives.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience within a United Way or collective impact environment.
• Familiarity with the education and workforce ecosystem of Tarrant County.
• Knowledge of local and state education policy and postsecondary access initiatives.
• Experience leveraging education data for strategic decision-making and systems change.

PERSONAL SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES:

• Excellent leadership, team building, interpersonal and time management skills
• A high energy, results-oriented leader who must be a self-starter with little supervision required
• An individual with the utmost professional and personal integrity
• Enterprising spirit and innovative drive for reaching the next great idea
• Outstanding collaboration skills demonstrated through effective communication
• Business savvy with the ability to engage, influence, access risk, issues and priorities
• Personal values consistent with United Way mission

• STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP:Develop and execute a countywide education strategy that spans early childhood through postsecondary and workforce entry and aligned with UWTC’s mission. Prioritize interventions that enhance 3rd grade reading and math outcomes as gateways to postsecondary and career success.
• CRADLE-TO-CAREER SYSTEM BUILDING:Lead cross-sector efforts that connect early education, K-12, and post-secondary institutions with workforce development systems to ensure that every student is prepared for lifelong learning and economic mobility.
• PROGRAM DESIGN AND OVERSIGHT:Direct the design, implementation, and evaluation of all education-focused initiatives, from pre-K readiness through high school graduation, with clear linkages to literacy and youth workforce development, and college and career preparation.
• DATA-DRIVEN IMPACT:Create and manage research and evaluation frameworks that drive continuous improvement and accountability. Monitor progress on key educational benchmarks to help inform strategy and decision making. Partner with UWTC Leadership and marketing to execute messaging, marketing, and communication strategy to promote UWTC education impact.
• SYSTEMS CHANGE AND LEADERSHIP:Convene and facilitate collective impact coalitions focused on dismantling structural inequities in education. Lead strategic initiatives that address the root causes of disparities in academic performance and workforce opportunity.
• PROMOTE INNOVATION:Identify and champion innovative practices, technologies, partnerships, and funding and investment strategies that accelerate learning and support scalable solutions across the educational continuum.
• COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND COLLABORATION:Forge and sustain strategic partnerships with civic, public and private stakeholders including, but not limited to school districts, early childhood providers, higher education institutions, workforce boards, employers, and community-based organizations to co-design scalable solutions that meet student and community needs.
• TEAM LEADERSHIP AND CAPACITY BUILDING:Lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing education team. Support community partners in designing and delivering effective, evidence-based programs across the educational continuum.
• POLICY AND RESOURCE ADVOCACY:Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to advocate for funding, policies, and systems changes that promote educational access, quality instruction, and career-readiness for all students.