Career Pathway Program Manager, Great Path Academy

Career Pathway Program Manager, Great Path Academy

Location: 350 Church Street, 10th Floor, Hartford, CT 06103

Salary Range: $70,000–$85,000 (commensurate with experience)

If you're passionate about collaborating with educational institutions, and forging connections with employers to turn career opportunities into reality, this is your chance to make a lasting impact. You won't just be overseeing tasks—you will bridge the gap between career readiness and industry needs, ensuring that students are not only prepared for the jobs of today but also their futures.

WHO WE ARE:

ReadyCT is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing academic excellence and career-connected learning for all Connecticut public school students. We design and deliver innovative career readiness programs that intentionally bridge the gap between K-12 education and the employers who will one day welcome graduates into the workforce.

As an affiliate of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA), ReadyCT works closely with business leaders to expand real‑world opportunities for students and strengthen Connecticut’s future workforce.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

As a career pathway program manager, you will work closely with leadership at ReadyCT and our partner schools to oversee career-themed pathways designed to bridge the gap between education and opportunity. You will act as a point of contact for families, school staff, and corporate volunteers, managing the high-impact projects and partnerships that foster student success. By aligning stakeholder efforts and assessing program effectiveness, you will ensure our students are equipped for whatever high-growth career path comes next.

Location note: This role will primarily be based at Great Path Academy. The career pathway program manager will also report to ReadyCT’s Hartford office on a regular basis for team meetings.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO THE ROLE:

Do you thrive on building meaningful relationships and guiding young people toward their future success? Are you a strong communicator, passionate about youth development, and energized by collaboration and problem-solving? If you're adaptable, organized, and passionate about making a difference, this could be the perfect role for you.

We’re looking for a professional who can possess:

• A passion for education and developing the potential of ALL students.
• Experience mentoring or counseling high school youth and supporting their postsecondary and career planning; backgrounds reflecting mentees’ experiences (e.g., first-generation college student, English learner, CT Alliance District graduate) preferred.
• A proven ability to build and manage relationships across a diverse array of stakeholders.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills and a track record of delivering results on time.
• Basic knowledge of Google Workspace and Microsoft Office; comfortable learning new technology systems.
• An ability to multitask, while remaining detail-oriented and flexible.
• The capability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Skills in active listening and group facilitation.
• A bachelor’s degree is preferred, but not required.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to travel frequently within the Hartford district, inclusive of magnet locations in East Hartford and Manchester, for school site visits and employer events.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with Salesforce or a related CRM system.
• Experience with Jira and other Atlassian products (preferred).
• Strong ability to balance strategic thinking with day-to-day operational needs.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of this role as described below.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Support the growth and effectiveness of the school-based Industry Advisory Board (IAB) by:

• Collaborating with school administration and the appointed IAB Chair to advance all relevant aspects of the career pathway.
• Recruiting, onboarding, and retaining a diverse IAB while fostering active participation and managing projects or initiatives involving members and sub-committees.
• Conducting surveys to identify members' expertise and creating meaningful opportunities for their involvement in work-based learning and other student support initiatives.
• Preparing IAB meeting materials (agendas, minutes, reports) for monthly meetings, semi-annual summaries, and annual retreats while overseeing meeting logistics.
• Partnering with the IAB to analyze labor market trends and determine relevant industry-recognized credentials and certifications for students.
• Collecting and analyzing data on IAB performance, contributions, and impact on student outcomes to measure effectiveness and guide improvements.

Collaborate with corporate and community partners by:

• Contacting business leaders, industry and professional organizations, and other organizations to develop opportunities for students in work-based learning.
• Assisting corporate and community partners with program development for students designed to foster greater career awareness and school engagement.
• Tracking key metrics of success and student outcomes on a semi-annual basis.

Collaborate with school staff by:

• Creating opportunities at each grade level (grades 9-12) and offering career exposure programming to middle school students/ninth graders with the goal that each student’s career pathway experience culminates with a paid internship.
• Serving as a liaison between corporate partner volunteers and the school staff to ensure that well-coordinated tutoring and mentoring programs are implemented, expanded, and sustained throughout the school year.
• Facilitating and/or supporting work-based learning training and opportunities such as job shadowing, student internships, educator externships, guest speakers, field trips, etc., that support students’ academic learning and provide awareness of and engagement with career opportunities.
• Assisting with the development, implementation, and annual review of the pathway curriculum and course sequence/schedule in consultation with the IAB and other industry professionals.
• Conducting annual research on pathway industry-recognized credentials and ensuring they are relevant and aligned with current industry needs.

Collaborate with ReadyCT staff by:

• Leading a community of practice to troubleshoot challenges and increase student retention across the career pathway.
• Overseeing the "Youth Employability Skills" (YES) Academy and other high-impact summer programming.
• Driving student recruitment and retention using data-informed tools to align student profiles with academic and professional success.
• Evaluating program effectiveness by analyzing IAB performance and student outcome data to guide continuous improvement.

Support desired student outcomes by:

• Leading strategic outreach and engagement efforts to recruit and retain a diverse student cohort, ensuring they are actively supported in meeting their educational and career pathway goals.
• Utilizing tools and periodic assessments to analyze student success metrics, identifying key areas for growth at both the individual and program-wide levels.
• Leveraging comprehensive activity reports and data to build student profiles that optimize placement in academic and work-based learning opportunities.

This job description is intended to be a comprehensive overview of the Career Pathway Program Manager role. All ReadyCT team members are charged with other duties as may be required.

WHY JOIN READYCT:

ReadyCT offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, generous paid time off, and meaningful opportunities for professional growth. Most importantly, you’ll have the chance to make a lasting impact on students and communities across Connecticut.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences who share our commitment to equity and to expanding career-connected learning opportunities for every student.

ReadyCT is an equal opportunity employer.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Due to the nature of school-based delivery, these roles require significant physical mobility and stamina. Team members must be capable of frequently traversing large school campuses, which often includes navigating stairs, ramps, and uneven outdoor walkways between buildings. The role requires the ability to stand and move for 3 to 6 hours at a time while facilitating student programming or overseeing events. Nearly all functions must be performed in person.

• Essential functions include the physical ability to lift, transport, and set up program materials weighing up to 30 lbs (such as bins of supplies, portable banners, or technology kits). Team members must be able to work in diverse school environments, which may include high-density hallways, noisy cafeterias, and gymnasiums with varying light and sound levels. This position also requires the ability to stoop, kneel, or crouch to interact with students during activities. Consistent travel to multiple locations is required; therefore, team members must be able to operate a motor vehicle and manage the physical demands of loading and unloading materials in varying weather conditions.