Director, Kansas City College and Career Attainment Network (KCCAN)

Position: Director, Kansas City College and Career Attainment Network (KCCAN)

Supervisor: Executive Director, MOCAN

Salary Range: $100,000 – $130,000

About MOCAN:
The Missouri College and Career Attainment Network (MOCAN) transforms lives by creating
more equitable, statewide postsecondary education outcomes. MOCAN does this by increasing
postsecondary access, affordability, and completion for students living in low-income
communities, particularly those who are Black, Hispanic, and rural students.

MOCAN has an exciting opportunity for an energetic and experienced college access, nonprofit
management or higher education professional to lead its growing efforts in Kansas City through
a new Local College Attainment Network (LCAN) – the Kansas City College and Career
Attainment Network or KCCAN.

KCCAN’s work will be two-fold:

• Coordinating development and implementation of a regional strategic plan for college
  access and success for low-income students in Kansas City.
• Advising students and families on postsecondary planning, FAFSA, financial aid, and
  career pathways in support of partner school districts and community organizations.

About the Position:
This position is a senior management position within MOCAN. The Director of KCCAN will
serve as the leader for the Kansas City College and Career Attainment Network (KCCAN),
setting the direction and structure for this new initiative to increase postsecondary attainment for
Kansas City area students in low-income communities, particularly those who are Black or
Hispanic. Success in this position will require a visionary leader with the respect and trust of
colleagues in school districts, community organizations and higher education institutions who
will be the partners of KCCAN. The KCCAN Director should be an experienced professional
who is excited about an opportunity to increase economic mobility through postsecondary
educational attainment and is ready to engage partners in creating a plan and launching a new
advising model. The Director will have a track record of taking an idea from concept to plan to
implementation. The KCCAN Director will hire and supervise a Director of Advising to build
and manage a team of front-line professionals to increase postsecondary outcomes for traditional
age students in KCCAN partner schools and organizations.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Being a visible champion for the importance of equity in postsecondary education for Kansas
  City area students.
• Ensuring the successful launch of KCCAN by creating a plan for the initiative and directing
  operations under the supervision of MOCAN’s Executive Director and with support of a
  Steering Committee of community leaders.
• Gathering data, conducting a landscape analysis, and engaging stakeholders to create a
  strategic plan for KCCAN. Establishing metrics and an evaluation model to monitor
  performance of the initiative.
• Managing the day-to-day operations of KCCAN, including:
  • Developing and implementing an action plan for KCCAN’s evolution and growth.
  • Opening the KCCAN office, including identifying a location and vendors to provide local administrative support including case management and IT systems.
  • Hiring and supervising an Advising Director and a team of professional college access and financial aid advisors who will support students and families.
  • Establishing and implementing a sustainability plan for KCCAN.
• Convening and engaging school district, higher education and community partners in setting goals and developing a strategic plan for college access and success of low-income students, particularly Black and Hispanic students, in Kansas City. Facilitating the planning process, developing an action plan, and holding KCCAN and partners accountable for its implementation. Communicating progress to stakeholders and partners.
• Launching an advising program to support students in Kansas City in collaboration with school district and community partners. Establishing a college access advising model that KCCAN will implement to address identified community needs. Hiring an Advising Director and team of advisors to implement the program. Developing action plans and memoranda of understanding with school district and community partners.
• Serving as the visible lead for MOCAN in Kansas City, regularly meeting with and engaging partners and community stakeholders.
• Working with MOCAN staff to engage Kansas City area professionals in MOCAN programs and services, including professional development workshops and My Scholarship Central.
• Participating in MOCAN staff meetings and activities as required. Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree in a related field preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial and socioeconomic equity in postsecondary education.
• Strong working knowledge and experience with the K-12 and postsecondary education
  landscape in Kansas City, as well as effective college access and support strategies,
  specifically related to students from low-income backgrounds and students of color.
• A minimum of five years in a leadership or management role, with a demonstrated ability to
  manage a team of professionals and multiple projects calling for interaction with a variety of
  professionals. Experience working in nonprofit organizations is preferred.
• Strategic mindset and action oriented, with track record of taking on new opportunities and
  tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy and enthusiasm.
• Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Effective collaborator who builds trust in formal and informal relationships to create
  networks around a common goal. Able to anticipate and balance the needs of multiple
  stakeholders.
• Strong people management skills. A team builder who attracts and selects the best talent to
  meet organizational objectives.

Required Skills and Attributes:

• Entrepreneurial mindset, comfortable with launching a new initiative and managing the
  ambiguity that comes with it.
• Strategic mindset, able to see opportunities and translate them into breakthrough strategies.
• Experience successfully managing teams and complex projects with a track record of
  meeting deadlines.
• Comfortable analyzing data to drive decision-making and performance.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Engaging facilitator, comfortable with public speaking and meeting facilitation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and Zoom.
• Must be a resident of Missouri and live in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have a good driving record.

Physical Requirements:
Position requires being able to see well enough to read and use a computer. Must be able to type
and sit for extended periods of time. Must be able to hear well enough to communicate with
employees, students, and institutional partners. Must be able to drive to various locations as
needed.

Working Conditions:
Normal working conditions in a hybrid environment, including home office and working
space to be identified. Must be able to travel and attend meetings and events, as needed, in
the evenings and on weekends.

About the Position and MOCAN:

• This is a full-time, exempt position.
• MOCAN offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental and vision, a
  401(k) plan with organizational match, and paid parental leave.
• The organization is based in Columbia, Missouri. This position is based in Kansas City.
• MOCAN requires a background check of all job candidates after a contingent offer of
  employment. This may include criminal record, driving record, and employment or education
  verification.
• MOCAN’s mission is focused on greater equity in postsecondary education. Individuals who
  share our values are encouraged to apply. The Missouri College and Career Attainment
  Network is an equal opportunity employer.

To apply:
Please send a cover letter, resume, and three references via email to [email protected]
by Friday, January 31 at Noon. Please include the following in the subject line of the email:
Director of KCCAN Position