Director, Services

Catalyst Exchange is seeking a dynamic, people-centered Director, Services to translate bold vision into clear outcomes, strengthen partnerships, and accelerate impact at scale. In this role, you will champion partner needs through deep listening and thoughtful discovery, asking questions that surface what matters most. You turn insight into strategy and strategy into action, guiding teams through complex service delivery with clarity and purpose.

You are a leader who thrives in systems thinking and collaboration. You foster connections rooted in openness and shared purpose. You elevate feedback and surface patterns, matching organizations with the tools and supports that help them learn, adapt, and grow. You create the roadmaps that build partner capacity and nurture joy, hope, and a deep commitment to achieving the best outcomes.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Services, you will fuel innovation by improving our advising model and guiding the design, execution, and continuous refinement of service delivery. You ensure intermediaries and network partners consistently receive high-quality, personalized support that builds their effectiveness. The Director, Services will be passionate about partnering with nonprofits and education systems to better serve communities nationwide and committed to advancing transformational change with care and courage.

Drive Capacity Advising Services and Partner Impact (50%)

• Serve as a trusted capacity advisor to intermediaries and network partners, helping them identify and strengthen organizational capabilities to deepen their impact
• Guide network partners through CE’s capacity-advising model to clarify their priorities by completing the organizational capacity diagnostic, facilitating sensemaking conversations, and driving Action Plan development
• Facilitate discovery conversations with curiosity and care to surface key challenges and opportunities by asking targeted questions, demonstrating active listening, and using assessment tools to capture insights
• Develop scopes of work by translating input gathered from scoping calls with partners into clear, actionable steps and outcomes
• Respond promptly to partner requests, delivering consistent, high-quality support grounded in responsiveness to needs and excellence
• Deepen relationships with current and prospective partners by building trust, maintaining regular communication, and ensuring services are aligned to partner priorities and broader sector needs

Strengthen Service Systems and Integration (30%)

• Partner with the Senior Director, Services, to develop, codify, and operationalize tools, templates, and workflows that strengthen advising service quality and efficiency by proactively identifying opportunities to streamline and enhance existing systems
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to co-design, test, and implement improvements to the customer support model to enhance partner and provider experience
• Refine selection systems for application, vetting, and intake to ensure the provider network reflects high-quality, diverse, and well-matched expertise 
• Support the development and documentation of scalable processes that advance Catalyst’s growth strategy and uphold service standards by piloting new approaches and sharing learnings across the organization
• Capture and elevate insights from advising engagements to identify sector trends, surface emerging partner needs, and shape future planning

Enhance Team Development and Effectiveness (20%)

• Set and communicate a clear vision and high standards for capacity advising by ensuring direct reports and team members have defined roles, responsibilities, and shared priorities that advance project plans
• Coach and support team members, fostering a communicative, inclusive, results-driven culture rooted in learning, ownership, and excellent partner service
• Establish clear expectations and team focus areas by aligning daily responsibilities with growth goals and organizational strategy, setting priorities and timelines, and securing resources needed to execute 
• Implement systems, structures, and practices that facilitate open communication, feedback, and coaching to strengthen team alignment, follow-through, and overall effectiveness
• Provide individualized coaching and identify training opportunities that support team member development

By the end of your first three to six months, you will:

• Gain fluency in Catalyst’s capacity-advising model, pilots, and data systems
• Lead initial advising and learning calls for assigned partners and projects
• Build strong relationships with key partners, team members, and internal collaborators
• Identify opportunities and share insights to strengthen delivery systems, elevate the partner experience, and shape future improvements

By the end of your first twelve months, you will:

• Demonstrate and effectively communicate measurable impact in partner outcomes and service effectiveness, using data and feedback to highlight results
• Support the codification of new service standards, tools, and processes that elevate quality, consistency, and scalability
• Manage one or more team members with clear growth and performance plans, building a strong foundation for team effectiveness
• Serve as a strategic, trusted thought partner to the Senior Director and Vice President on service strategy, innovation, and scaling

QUALIFICATIONS

• 8+ years of experience in organizational development, capacity building, program design, or equivalent work in education, social impact, or the public sector
• Demonstrated success leading complex initiatives, partnerships, or pilot programs from design through execution, including managing timelines, stakeholders, and outcomes
• Strong strategic planning and project management skills with attention to detail and the ability to organize work effectively and set clear priorities
• Experience managing high-performing teams and fostering inclusive, learning-driven cultures, with a focus on coaching and developing staff
• Exceptional relationship-building, communication, and facilitation skills that foster trust and support collaboration with diverse partners
• Data fluency, with the ability to interpret and apply qualitative and quantitative insights to strengthen decisions and improve services
• Comfort navigating ambiguity and iterating on systems and processes in dynamic environments, with a continuous improvement mindset
• Commitment to equity-centered leadership and partner-centered design, approaching work with humility and openness to feedback
• Experience with intermediary organizations or network-based capacity building strongly preferred, including supporting organizations at different stages of development
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree a plus

HOW TO APPLY

We are excited to review your application! To apply, please submit your resume to resumes@leveledtalent.com. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, so it is in the candidates’ best interest to apply as soon as possible. 

Please note: Only applicants who submit materials through our search partner Leveled Talent will be considered.

SALARY, BENEFITS, AND LOCATION

• Compensation: This is a full-time, salaried position with full benefits and retirement. Compensation is commensurate with experience. Salary range: $131,800 - $154,900. Benefits include medical and dental insurance coverage, 403(b) with up to 5% match on base salary, and a generous leave policy.
• Preferred Start Date: As soon as possible.
• Location: Catalyst Exchange is a national, remote organization. Team members may work from any U.S.-based location.
• Travel Requirements: Occasional travel, approximately 1-2 times per quarter, is required for attendance at in-person team meetings, convenings, and events.
• Physical Demands and Working Environment: The bullet points below are representative of the physical demands and working environment to successfully perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.
  • Standard/remote office setting; proximity to office equipment that includes electronic devices
  • Multiple people-facing meetings and interactions a day using Zoom or other video call software
  • Must remain at a workstation for at least 50% of the time and use office tools required to perform daily responsibilities

Catalyst Exchange is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply, particularly those who may identify as people of color, first-generation, LGBTQIA+, or from historically under-resourced communities. Our team is purpose-driven, innovative, and inclusive, with a supportive culture where all members have opportunities to grow and contribute.

Catalyst Exchange is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

For more information about our mission and work, please visit catalyst-exchange.org.