Director, Solutions Lab

About the Business-Higher Education Forum
The Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF) is a dynamic, national, non-profit organization that works with innovative leaders throughout the higher education, business, non-profit, and government sectors to produce a future where higher education and business collaborate seamlessly to develop a skilled, adaptable workforce that drives innovation, fuels economic growth, and empowers individuals to thrive in meaningful careers. Our coalition of leading corporations and colleges work together to build replicable workforce solutions that ensure all workers are equipped with the skills, experiences, and opportunities to thrive in a rapidly changing economy. 

The Opportunity
The Business-Higher Education Forum seeks to add a dynamic member to our team. This will be a key role on BHEF’s Solutions Lab team, where we build, pilot and scale high-impact workforce and education initiatives across the country. We partner with businesses, higher education institutions, state agencies, tech partners, and philanthropy to expand access to high-value credentials, advance work-integrated learning, and catalyze regional talent ecosystems.

The Director will work directly with business, higher education and government leaders to lead a set of state and regional capacity-building projects, providing technical assistance, convening stakeholders, and managing initiatives that align post-secondary credentials with workforce needs. This role will also directly support institutions in the development of new industry-aligned credentials and pathways. This role reports to the Chief Program Officer and is ideal for a strategic, externally facing leader with expertise and passion for workforce innovation, economic mobility, and systems transformation.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and support both short-term projects and multi-year initiatives, ensuring milestones and outcomes are met.
  • Provide technical assistance to state agencies, higher ed institutions and systems, and business partners, leveraging research and analysis, strategic planning and solutions-building capabilities.
  • Facilitate virtual and in-person convenings that align stakeholders and drive action.
  • Manage grants and partnerships, ensuring strong relationships, execution and reporting.
  • Develop thought leadership through presentations, toolkits, case studies, and publications that weave on-the-ground learnings and economic and policy contexts to draw out nuanced and actionable conclusions and recommendations.
  • Identify and enact opportunities to develop repeatable products and solutions that can drive impact for greater numbers of learners, workers, institutions, and employers.  
  • Identify and activate new, high-impact opportunities and collaborations that help scale the reach and effectiveness of BHEF’s work. 

Who You Are

  • Experienced professional (8+ years) in higher education, workforce development, or strategy consulting with expertise in short-term credentials and familiarity of innovative models in higher education, state and federal policy, and business-higher education partnerships. 
  • Skilled facilitator and translator who can engage policymakers, education leaders, and business executives in collaborative and action-oriented discussions and align toward a common goal.
  • Strong project manager and pragmatic leader who knows how to drive results, break down complex problems into smaller parts, and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
  • Passionate about and experienced in solutions that drive economic mobility and building scalable, sustainable solutions.
  • Excellent communicator, synthesizer, and simplifier of complex information and ideas, both written and verbal.  
  • Consultative relationship builder and collaborator who enjoys working with internal and external stakeholders, building consensus, and motivating others. 
  • Highly proactive and willing to jump in on items that are needed in a small, dynamic organization. 
  • Solutions-oriented in interactions with all team members and external clients/ partners.
  • A team-builder able to manage up, down, and across an organization

About Our Culture and What We Offer:
At BHEF, we pride ourselves on a collaborative, mission-driven, and flexible work environment. Our team values innovation, curiosity, inclusivity, and a shared commitment to driving impact at the intersection of talent strategy, education and workforce development. We have a remote work policy with team members nationwide and an office in Washington, DC.

The salary range for this position is $120,000-$136,000 with a benefits package that includes comprehensive health insurance, 401K, and generous paid time off. Starting salaries for new hires will be determined based on a combination of relevant experience and market demands. This is a full-time position that is grant-funded through December 2026. Continuation beyond the grant period is contingent upon future funding availability. This role will be expected to travel up to 25% of the time. 

Join us to drive workforce innovations through one of America’s greatest economic assets: higher education.  

To Apply
Please submit your application by March 28, 2025 to mbharrisstaffing@gmail.com. As part of your application, please include your resume and a thoughtful cover letter outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of this position.

The Business-Higher Education Forum is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.