Job Description

Title: Partner, Community Initiatives

Department: Philanthropy & Community

Reporting to: Lead, Ecosystem Partnerships & Convening

Location: USA - Remote

Compensation: $70,000 - $90,000 USD

Who We Are:

World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit social enterprise that supports the educational, economic, and social inclusion of immigrants, refugees, and international students. For 50 years, WES has set the standard for international academic credential evaluation, supporting millions of people as they seek to achieve their academic and professional goals. Through decades of experience as a leader in global education, WES has developed a wide range of tools to pursue social impact at scale. From evaluating academic credentials to shaping policy, designing programs, and providing philanthropic funding, we partner with a diverse set of organizations, leaders, and networks to uplift individuals and drive systems change. Together with its partners, WES enables people to learn, work, and thrive in new places. For more information about WES, please visit our website at www.WES.org.

About the Opportunity:

Reporting to the Lead, Ecosystem Partnerships & Convening, the Community Initiatives Partner is responsible for planning and delivering capacity-sharing and convening activities that strengthen partner readiness and collective action to participate equally in systems change. This role turns strategy into well-run, high-quality learning experiences and convenings as well as acts as a bridge, through partnering closely with the Community Centering and Partnerships team to ensure partners insights, that can inform decisions, priorities, and broader strategy are shared with internal teams.

This role works closely with partners and internal teams to ensure capacity sharing and convening activities are practical, inclusive, and aligned with community priorities, while continuously improving based on feedback and learning.

What You'll Do:

Coordination and delivery management (40%)

• Support the team’s leadership, who are responsible for translating community intelligence into concrete priorities, that inform the team decisions about partner pathways, through strong planning, collaborative decision making, and clear communication.
• Work closely with internal teams in the Systems Change division to ensure partnerships’ coordination and alignment with other Systems Change teams across WES.
• Manage logistical and operational readiness for activities and convenings (timelines, facilitation prep, vendor/consultant coordination as applicable), anticipating risks and removing barriers through proactive problem solving.

Activity and program design (25%)

• Plan and manage the delivery of high-quality capacity-sharing agendas and learning experiences that equip partners with tools and technical skills to sustain engagement in systems change, with clear outcomes and measures of progress.
• Design and manage convening agendas and collective action experiences that align diverse actors around a shared vision and practices, strengthening teamwork, collaboration, and mission-aligned action.
• Co-create facilitation plans, run-of-show documents, and post-convening follow-through that turn dialogue into commitments, decisions, next steps, and shared learning centering inclusion, cultural awareness, and participant voice.
• Develop simple, repeatable templates (agenda design, partner follow-up, learning capture) that strengthen planning, process improvement, and consistent delivery across geographies.
• Establish an inclusive participant care and accessibility approach for convenings in collaboration with the Lead and Co-lead Ecosystem Partnerships and Convening (language access, stipends/compensation norms, and trauma-aware or culturally responsive facilitation as appropriate), adapting delivery to partner needs.
• Manage relationships, initiatives’ documentation, implementation, and track progress of both capacity sharing and partners convening activities

Relationship development and management (20%)

• Help develop and maintain trust-based and long-term relationships with immigrant-led organizations/groups/coalitions.
• Partner closely with the Lead Community Power to oversee the operational link between the Community Power team and the internal Community Centering and Partnership Lead, ensuring active communication, timely coordination, and strong relationship maintenance.
• Lead internal alignment activities (briefs, Intentional learning, decision points, co-planning sessions) that translate partner insights into clear, influence-ready recommendations and mission-aligned inputs for WES’ strategic bets, supported by excellent writing and synthesis.

Field sensing, insights, and continuous improvement (15%)

• Capture and synthesize ground-truth intelligence from activities and partner interactions, using a learning orientation to surface patterns, clarify priorities, and inform problem solving for the team’s Co-Leads and Lead.
• Use feedback loops (partner feedback, participation data, observed barriers) to iterate agendas, formats, and support pathways over time, strengthening results orientation, adaptability, and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to external thought leadership by translating insights from convenings and partner engagement into clear lessons, examples, and materials that inform broader field conversations.

Your Experience:

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Community Development, Social Justice & Community Engagement, Adult Education & Community Development, or equivalent of education and experience.
• 5 + years of track record experience designing and delivering convenings, learning experiences, or multi-stakeholder initiatives, preferably in the nonprofit, philanthropy, or international development sector(s).
• 3+ years of strong project management, planning, and execution skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives, timelines, and stakeholders while delivering high-quality outputs.
• Exceptional leadership, conflict resolution, time management, and adaptability in high-pressure, fast-paced environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in adult learning principles and inclusive facilitation, including agenda design, run-of-show development, and post-event follow-through that supports shared decisions and results.
• Experience in designing participatory, culturally aware co-creation processes with community-based partners, centering lived experience and power-aware practices.
• Proven ability to synthesize qualitative insights (partner feedback, field sensing, learning capture) into clear recommendations that support problem solving, decision making, and actionable internal briefs.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with an ability to translate complex ideas into accessible materials (templates, briefs, facilitation guides).
• Excellent relationship building and teamwork skills; proven ability to collaborate across diverse partners and internal teams and operate effectively as a “bridge” across functions.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion, equity, and accessibility in program delivery (e.g., language access, participant care, strength-based, trauma-aware and culturally responsive practices as appropriate).
• Oversite the operational and logistical planning experience for events/convenings, including vendor/consultant relationships.
• Adaptability and learning orientation: ability to work in ambiguity, building feedback loops, and iterating based on learning to improve quality, consistency, and outcomes over time.
• Experience supporting collective impact efforts or cross-sector coalitions (shared measurement, aligned activities, continuous communication), with an ability to influence without formal authority.
• Knowledge and ability to use evaluation and learning frameworks/tools (developmental evaluation and impact evaluation, learning and monitoring dashboards, participation data, pulse surveys) to inform continuous improvement.
• Competence with common collaboration and project tools and virtual convening platforms (e.g., Teams, Zoom, Miro/Mural) to support planning and coordinated delivery.

Desired

• Experience working across the US and Canada and/or with geographically distributed partners; able to adapt approaches to local context and cultural considerations.
• Bilingual or multilingual communication skills relevant to partner communities (e.g., French/English or other languages).

What We Offer:

Joining our team at WES means embarking on a purpose-driven career with a global impact, where you contribute daily to making a tangible difference in the lives of people worldwide. You'll thrive in an employee-centric environment, with access to learning opportunities, pathways for personal and professional development, and recognition of your achievements. Our inclusive, mission-driven culture values employees and focuses on investing in our people through our culture, people framework, and programming while offering the flexibility of remote work options.

• Work-Life Harmony: We believe that success is all about maintaining balance. Enjoy the freedom of remote work and flexible scheduling, paired with generous time-off policies designed to assist you in maintaining a healthy equilibrium between your personal and professional commitments. Our comprehensive wellness programs and work environment are focused on fostering your well-being.
• Rewards and Recognition: Your dedication and achievements are the cornerstone of our success. We recognize the importance of valuing your hard work, which is why we offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and tangible rewards to celebrate your contributions.
• Professional Growth and Development: We are committed to nurturing growth within our team, recognizing that growth is essential to providing opportunities for career advancement and ongoing professional development. To prioritize your learning and success, we invest in comprehensive training programs and offer tuition reimbursement opportunities. We promote a culture of continuous learning that empowers you to thrive and evolve in your career.
• Innovation and Impact: Engage in work that directly transforms lives and empowers individuals and communities by expanding access to global educational and professional pathways. Join us in fostering a culture that values innovation, embraces new approaches, and leverages transformation to implement and drive impactful change.
• Community and Connection: Our team is made up of individuals from different cultures and backgrounds who have varying perspectives and ideas. Our diverse workforce reflects the global community we serve, and we take pride in it. We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and included. Experience the power of connection by participating in a range of activities, including employee-led resource groups, town halls, collaborative team events, meaningful volunteer opportunities, and initiatives that promote equity, celebrate diversity, and cultivate a strong sense of belonging within our organization.

Values:

• Opportunity - We open doors so people can build better futures.
• Inclusion - We become stronger, more creative, and more resilient when we embrace diversity.
• Equity - We uphold fairness and justice in our work and actions.
• Enterprising - We are resourceful, inventive, and driven.

Inclusive Recruitment Process:

We welcome all applicants, irrespective of their experience perfectly fitting the job description, as we value diverse and innovative viewpoints. At our organization, individuals who thrive in a culture of continuous learning and inclusive teamwork excel. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported and welcome members of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply.

Our Commitment:

World Education Services is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects the rich tapestry of our communities, both in the US and Canada. This commitment is underscored by our unwavering dedication to providing equal opportunities to all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or genetics. This commitment extends to every aspect of employment, from recruitment and hiring to promotions, training, and benefits. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. For us, diversity goes beyond compliance – it's about embracing unique perspectives and cultivating an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.

If you require assistance and/or accommodation at any point during the recruitment process, please contact us at hiring@wes.org, we're here to support you. Our Talent Acquisition team is happy to work with you to find solutions that meet your needs.

For more information about WES, please visit our website at www.WES.org

This position is an existing vacancy and is currently open for hire.