Manager, Solutions Lab

Business-Higher Education Forum; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company 401k with match

FSA / HSA

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Paid holidays and PTO

Cell phone reimbursement

Job summary

The Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF) is seeking a collaborative Manager to support Work-Integrated Learning initiatives within the Solutions Lab. This full-time, grant-funded role runs through December 2027, with potential continuation depending on funding.

You will drive implementation across cohorts and translate learning into practical tools for institutions and employers. Responsibilities include building communities of practice, delivering technical assistance, and managing external

Qualifications

• 5+ years of program management, partnerships, or related work with higher education or cross-sector partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Design and facilitate virtual communities of practice for institutional teams and employer partners.

Skills

Program management

Partnerships

Facilitation

Implementation

Data tracking

Communication

Remote teamwork

Travel readiness

Microsoft Office

AI tools

CRM tools

Tools

CRM tools

Project management tools

Job description

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.

About The Role

The Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF) seeks a collaborative, action-oriented Manager to join its Solutions Lab and support a portfolio of national initiatives advancing work-integrated learning (WIL)—the integration of academic learning with real-world work experiences such as internships, apprenticeships, and project-based learning. This is a full-time, grant-funded position through December 2027. Continuation beyond the grant period is contingent upon future funding availability.

This role will primarily contribute to flagship efforts within our Work-Integrated Learning Innovation Center, including:

• The Institutional Capacity Expansion Lab, which supports colleges and universities in embedding WIL into academic programs, systems, and strategy, and
• A national initiative to expand and evaluate innovative WIL models designed to increase access, improve quality, and better align with employer needs

Together, these initiatives aim to strengthen institutional capacity, expand equitable access to career-connected learning, and build scalable models that connect education to employment.

The Manager will be responsible for driving implementation and outcomes across institutional cohorts—leading communities of practice, delivering technical assistance, and managing relationships with institutions, employers, and partners. This role ensures progress toward key goals, strengthens engagement, and translates learning into actionable tools and resources that extend BHEF’s impact nationally.

This is a highly visible role with significant external engagement and an opportunity to shape field-facing work that connects education to careers at scale.

What You’ll Do

Build Communities of Practice & Convenings that Drive Impact

• Design and facilitate virtual communities of practice for institutional teams and employer partners
  -Shape agendas around institutional needs and real-time challenges
• Bring in subject-matter experts to introduce new research and practice perspectives
  -Support planning and execution of in-person convenings
  -Foster strong participation, peer learning, problem-solving and accountability across institutions
• Lead content design for in-person convenings and planning for webinars and roundtables

Provide Technical Assistance that Expands Access to WIL

• Deliver consultative technical assistance to institutional leaders and faculty to support implementation of quality work-integrated learning (WIL) models and embed WIL more broadly within institutions
• Help institutions move from planning into pilots and early execution of WIL models that align to employer needs
• Support application of frameworks, tools, and resources in practice
• Identify challenges and provide practical support to maintain momentum

Manage Relationships and Communications

• Serve as a primary point of contact for a portfolio of institutions
• Maintain regular communication and support engagement across partners
• Conduct quarterly check-ins and ongoing progress conversations
  -Coordinate activities, timelines, and follow-through across cohort participants
  -Build trusting relationships and drive meaningful solutions

Track outcomes and Build Evidence

• Track progress and outcomes across institutions, flagging risks or delays
• Synthesize insights and emerging practices from TA meetings, COP sessions, and grantee reports
  -Contribute to building evidence on effective WIL models and approaches
  -Support development of toolkits, case studies, and other field-facing resources

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of experience in program management, partnerships, consulting or a related field, ideally working with higher education institutions, employers, workforce organizations, or cross-sector education-to-career partnerships
• Experience developing toolkits, products and resources that support organization level and broader systems change
• Experience facilitating meetings, workshops, or group discussions
• Experience supporting implementation of programs or initiatives (e.g., pilots, new models, or partnerships)
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with institutional partners
• Clear and professional written and verbal communication skills
• Comfort tracking progress, working with data, and identifying issues
• Ability to work independently and as part of a remote team
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and virtual collaboration tools
• Familiarity with AI tools and willingness to use them to improve efficiency
• Ability to travel up to 30%

Preferred:

• Experience with communities of practice, technical assistance, or cohort-based programs
• Experience with one or more work-integrated learning (WIL) programs such as internships, apprenticeships or job shadowing
• Experience with project management or CRM tools

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, the power of networks, and has a shared commitment to driving economic opportunity at the intersection of talent strategy, education, and workforce development. We are a networked organization at our core — we believe that building and sustaining strong, cross-sector networks is one of the most powerful ways to create lasting, systems-level change. We have a remote work policy with team members nationwide and an office in Washington, DC.

The salary range for this position is $80,000–$90,000,with a benefits package that includes:

• Company Sponsored 401k Plan (with up to a 6% match)
• Flexible Spending Accounts/Health Savings Accounts
• Long-Term/Short-Term Disability Coverage
• Life Insurance
• 14 Annual Holidays, Generous PTO, and the week off between Christmas and New Years
• $75 per month cell phone reimbursement

Travel up to 30% is expected to support the WIL Innovation Center’s initiatives, as well as participation in BHEF’s twice annual network convenings. This is a full-time, grant-funded position through December 2027. Continuation beyond the grant period is contingent upon future funding availability.

Join us to help shape the future of work-integrated learning and build pathways that connect education to opportunity-at-scale.

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