Head of Partnerships, Innovation Team

About this Work

DREAM will develop and scale AI-enabled teaching and learning models designed to expand opportunity for students across the Bronx. Over the next three years, we will partner with 15 schools in the Bronx to help them implement an AI literacy curriculum, use AI tools to accelerate learning, and pursue new school models that prioritize real-world learning and future-ready skills. We will recruit partner schools, provide training and embedded coaching to leaders and teachers, and help educators implement and adapt these practices, curriculum, and tools in their own classrooms. Through rigorous evaluation and continuous improvement, this new initiative aims to improve academic outcomes while creating more time for collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and other future-ready skills.

About this Role

The Head of Partnerships, Innovation Team will lead DREAM’s partnerships with schools participating in DREAM’s AI-focused programmatic cohort model. This leader will manage the Innovation Partnerships Team, building the systems, relationships, and operational infrastructure required to recruit and support partner schools, deliver high-quality cohort experiences, and organize the legal, data, technology, communications, and convening needs of the work.

This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic and highly operational leader with a strong background in education, expertise in managing complex partnerships and cross-functional initiatives, a record of building programs across systems, genuine excitement about AI-enabled learning, and the ability to navigate complexity while maintaining strong relationships.

Responsibilities

Partnership Strategy and Operations

Design and lead processes for recruitment, selection, and onboarding of partner schools into DREAM’s programmatic cohort model;

Manage internal and external cross-functional coordination of all partnership operations and logistics;

Create and sustain clear processes for partnership agreements, ensuring excellent operational partnerships with each partner school and school system (including but not limited to contracting, legal compliance, media releases, data privacy and security, technology, data security and sharing, licensing, and intellectual property agreements);

Coordinate with the Communications and Advancement Teams to promote the work, strengthen the DREAM AI brand, and support donor visits;

Work closely with the AI Advisory Board;

Establish metrics, monitor outcomes, and use data to assess impact, drive continuous improvement, and inform strategic decision-making.

Cohort Learning, Site Visits, and Convenings

Lead the planning, operations, and logistics for cohort-based learning including: 2-day Convenings, monthly cohort meetings, and ongoing site visits and intervisitations, that support partner schools;

Manage the logistics and operations for convenings and learning experiences serving NYC Department of Education audiences.

Team Leadership

Manage, coach, and support 2 (or more) staff members including the Lead: Partnership and Learning and the Lead: Convening Operations, ensuring clarity of vision, priorities, roles, and accountability;

Collaborate with DREAM leadership and cross-functional teams;

Other responsibilities related to the role as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in Education, Business, or a related field preferred;
• Minimum 8 years of experience working at the network level of a Charter Management Organization, an education consulting firm, or an ed-tech organization, required;
• Minimum 4 years of experience directly managing a team, required;
• Experience managing contracting processes with schools and providers, overseeing large budgets, and/or managing operations and logistics for large-scale events, required;
• Existing relationships with the NYC Department of Education and/or experience developing curriculum partnerships or products with the DOE, preferred;
• Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional and large-scale initiatives involving multiple partnerships, disseminating programs across systems, and/or leading organizational business strategy;
• Deep knowledge of relational influence, change management, and adult learning theory;
• Ability to stay up-to-date on AI as it evolves and to use data to inform decisions and improvements;
• Strong operational, organizational, and project-management skills, with exceptional attention to detail, superb follow-through, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines;
• Ability to navigate complexity and ambiguity;
• Strong collaborative and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build trusting relationships in a fast-paced environment;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Start-up mindset: demonstrated resourcefulness, flexibility, creativity, and a solutions-oriented approach, ready to build something from the ground up;
• Deep commitment to DREAM’s mission, values, and graduate vision, with a strong belief in the power of families as partners and leaders.

Benefits and Paid Time Off

We offer comprehensive benefits including:
• Flexible Medical Health Plans, subsidizing the majority of costs for the employee, their spouse/domestic partner and children;
• The ability to select between a variety of medical plans according to what best suits the employee’s needs;
• Dental and vision plans;
• Disability benefits;
• Life insurance;
• Up to 12 weeks fully paid of Parental Leave;
• Flexible spending account options;
• Pre-tax commuter benefits (parking and transit);
• Fitness and entertainment discounts;
• A variety of support through our employee assistance program (EAP);
• A 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching up to 4% after one year of employment;
• Access to a professional development fund;
• Referral bonuses;
• All full-time Network Support employees are eligible for approximately 48 days off throughout the year including holidays, sick days, personal days and summer Fridays;
• Benefits are subject to change.

Compensation

• DREAM offers a competitive salary commensurate with relevant experience with the potential for an annual performance-based increase. The incoming salary range for this position is $170,000 to $190,000 per year. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary closer to the start of the range depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role. All staff are eligible for annual performance-based increases. Because we value staff tenure in each role, we do not currently cap salary ranges.

Working Expectations

The Head of Partnerships is part of the Innovation Team, which currently works 3 days in the office and up to 2 days remote per week, with some weeks requiring more in-person work.