Senior Director, National Market Leader

Year Up United; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive healthcare options

401(k) match

Three weeks paid vacation in first year

Job summary

Year Up United is looking for a Senior Director to lead the National Market strategy in Dallas, Texas. This pivotal role involves driving alignment between regional execution and organizational priorities, fostering innovation, and enhancing the visibility of the organization.

The ideal candidate will have over 12 years of experience in workforce development, a proven ability to manage teams, and deep commitment to equity and inclusion. This position offers a range of benefits and a structured work environment.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience, including leadership in workforce development.
• Proven experience managing high-performing, geographically distributed teams.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support Regional Market Leaders in national strategy.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and best practice exchange.
• Monitor performance across markets for operational consistency.

Skills

Leadership in workforce development

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Change management expertise

Education

12+ years of experience in related fields

Job description

Overview

The National Market Leader is a critical Senior Director role at Year Up United (YUU). The position leads a high‑performing team of Regional Market Leaders and directly oversees one assigned region, acting as both a local ambassador and national integrator to advance YUU’s mission, deepen market presence, and ensure consistent execution of enterprise strategy across all geographies. The National Market Leader reports to the Chief Operating Officer, with a dotted line to the Chief Talent Networks Officer, and will drive alignment between regional execution and organizational priorities, foster innovation, and elevate YUU’s visibility in the national workforce development landscape. The role will also cultivate high‑impact relationships with local governments, community partners, workforce boards, and employers, advocate for equitable workforce policies, and expand access to work‑based learning and career opportunities.

Responsibilities

National Market Leadership & Strategy Integration

• Lead and support Regional Market Leaders to ensure consistent implementation of national market strategy.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and best practice exchange across regions to drive innovation, operational consistency, and impact.
• Serve as a thought partner to the COO, Executive Team, and senior leaders, surfacing regional insights and opportunities to inform enterprise decision‑making.
• Monitor performance across markets and support Regional Market Leaders in setting priorities and resolving operational challenges.
• Convene and facilitate regular Market Leadership forums to align on strategy, execution, and continuous improvement.
• Represent the Market Leadership function in cross‑functional strategic planning and transformation efforts.
• Partner with Enrollment, Program, Talent Networks, CE, YUPRO, Grads of Life, and other national teams to ensure field perspectives shape national strategy and vice‑versa.

Regional Strategy & Market Growth

• Develop and execute a regional strategy to expand YUU’s reach within assigned markets.
• Identify and evaluate new market opportunities based on workforce trends, economic data, and local labor needs.
• Explore how to increase YUU's impact to close the opportunity divide by engaging in intensive on‑the‑ground efforts to learn, understand, and leverage knowledge to secure partnerships and offer programming to support opportunity talent.
• Cultivate opportunities to increase talent employment, explore and vet revenue generation opportunities for YUU, leverage cross‑functional relationships, and engage in relationship management within markets.
• Share information and create strategic alignment internally, developing market insights to explore innovation to include apprenticeships, educational institutions, and workforce entities to expand YUU’s blueprint, reach, and influence.
• Meet with peers in other markets to share learnings and best practices.
• Work closely with internal teams to ensure market strategies align with national priorities.
• Collaborate with YUU Advisory Boards to validate local market strategies and offerings.

Partnership And Community Building

• Strengthen relationships with community colleges, corporate partners, and local organizations to meet partnership targets aligned with the 2025 strategic roadmap.
• Actively engage with market workgroups defining the rapidly changing future of work, showcasing YUU’s expertise as a forward‑thinking workforce solution provider that anticipates and adapts to emerging industry trends.
• Attend internal and external partner meetings to build relationships, exchange feedback, educate partners about Year Up United, and address their talent needs.
• Participate in partner meetings as requested by CE to bolster relationship building, manage service recovery, and strategize future engagement.
• Organize roundtables, engage with influencers, establish advisory boards, and convene local board meetings to drive robust community engagement.
• Build strong alumni connections in the market, creating onramps for students, staff, partner, and civic engagement.

Team Development & Talent Management

• Coach and develop Regional Market Leaders, supporting their success, professional growth, and impact.
• Provide direct oversight and guidance to the Director of Market Operations (once hired), ensuring operational excellence across markets.
• Support onboarding and development of new market leadership hires to accelerate effectiveness and alignment.
• Model and promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and inclusive leadership.

Year Up United Citizen

• Live the values of YUU.
• Participate in special projects and initiatives that support YUU's effectiveness, growth, and impact.
• Actively participate in YUU’s Learning Community, supporting students as a coach, facilitator, and/or mentor.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience, including leadership in workforce development, regional growth strategy, or public‑private partnerships.
• Proven experience managing and influencing high‑performing, geographically distributed teams.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder/client management skills.
• Proven experience in workforce, youth, and community development initiatives.
• Self‑motivated and proactive, with a proven ability to drive initiatives with minimal oversight.
• Adept at thriving in high‑visibility, high‑pressure environments.
• Versatile contributor who adds value across high‑level strategic planning and detailed operational execution.
• Strong change management expertise—embracing change as an integral part of Year Up United’s culture while designing and driving transformative initiatives.
• Deep passion for Year Up United’s mission and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Comprehensive understanding of the Opportunity Divide and its underlying drivers.
• Exceptional public speaking and storytelling skills.
• Must reside in one of the assigned Regional Markets.

Travel

• Frequent travel is required.

Working At Year Up United

Starting January 5, 2026, employees are expected to work on‑site at least two days per week (Monday through Thursday depending on job requirements). To be eligible for employment, candidates must live and work in a state (or an approved proximate state) where Year Up United operates. Approved proximate states where Year Up United operates are: Connecticut, Indiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, South Carolina and Virginia.

Compensation & Benefits

• Year Up United has established salary ranges for each of our sites, which allows us to pay employees competitively, equitably and consistently in different geographic markets. For roles in which the location is listed as flexible, the range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Salary offers take into account a candidate’s skills, experience, and location. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.
• Benefits: Comprehensive healthcare options and dental coverage; 401(k) match for eligible participants.
• Vacation: Earn three weeks paid vacation in first year of employment; four weeks after initial year.

This is an exempt role (paid on a salaried basis).

Organization Description

Year Up United is a national 501(c)3 workforce development organization committed to ensuring equitable access to economic opportunity, education and justice for all young adults—no matter their background, income, or zip code. Employers face a growing need for talent while millions of talented young adults lack access to meaningful careers. Year Up United’s extensive training program utilizes a high expectations, high support model where students learn in‑demand technical and professional skills and apply them during a corporate internship. Year Up United has directly served more than 40,000 young adults since its founding in 2000. Year Up United’s nationwide presence includes Arizona, Austin, Bay Area, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Greater Atlanta, Greater Boston, Greater Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, the National Capital Region, New York City/Jersey City, Pittsburgh, Puget Sound, Rhode Island, South Florida, Tampa Bay, and Wilmington.

Commitment To Diversity

Year Up United embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. All aspects of employment, including the decision to hire, promote, discharge, or discipline, are based on meritocracy. We do not permit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws. Year Up United is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Your recruiter can provide details regarding the expected work environment and any physical requirements. Please let our hiring team know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.

To Apply

Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume through our website. We respectfully request no phone calls.