Framing Apprentice Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Who We Are

CareerWise is a nationally-recognized nonprofit organization that creates life-changing opportunities for the youngest generation of America’s workforce. We build industry-led, student-centered, modern youth apprenticeships through classroom and on-the-job learning, providing flexible, alternative pathways to economic mobility. With hundreds of apprentices in the workplace charting new paths to academic and career success, workforce and education leaders from across the country look to CareerWise to learn about our youth apprenticeship model. Our programs span multiple states, leveraging our institutional knowledge, technology, and infrastructure to scale impact.

Position Summary

The Senior Consultant, Degreed Apprenticeship is a key member of our growing Consulting team, reporting directly to the Vice President of Consulting. This role blends strategic advisory excellence with hands-on program innovation. The Senior Consultant is responsible for leading high-impact consulting engagements focused on designing, implementing, evaluating, and scaling modern apprenticeship programs, higher education systems, and workforce training models across the United States.

Acting as both a lead strategist and a systems innovator, this role will guide diverse clients—including educational institutions, state and local workforce boards, industry associations, and employers—to design operational models, navigate policy, and build sustainable, scalable degreed apprenticeship pathways. This person is able to bridge systems strategy and program innovation while acting as both a project lead and/ or a senior subject matter expert. This role educates, equips, empowers, and accelerates apprenticeship practitioners through consulting, while also managing and mentoring other consulting staff to expand CareerWise’s national mission.

Key Responsibilities1. Project Leadership & Delivery

• Lead and manage multiple consulting projects simultaneously from initiation to completion, ensuring deliverables meet high-quality standards, client expectations, and project timelines/budgets.

• Develop detailed project plans, grant management structures, and resource allocation strategies for assigned engagements.

• Identify potential project risks and proactively develop creative mitigation strategies to navigate complex institutional constraints.

• Develop compelling and actionable client deliverables, including strategic plans, operational implementation guides, and final reports.

2. Degreed Apprenticeship Pathway Innovation & Expertise

• Apply deep expertise in U.S. apprenticeship programs, higher education systems, K-12 pipelines, and employer talent development to architect modern pathways.

• Design and pilot innovative apprenticeship pathways in high-growth, high-demand fields (e.g., education, healthcare, tech, business, finance, and manufacturing) ensuring integrated business and staffing alignment.

• Act as a barrier-breaker by proposing creative solutions to systemic challenges like licensure, entry requirements, age restrictions, and credit-transfer alignment.

• Stay abreast of emerging trends, policy changes, funding opportunities, and research in workforce development and higher education systems.

• Contribute to the development of new consulting methodologies, tools, and intellectual capital related to CareerWise's core service areas.

3. Client Relationship Management & Business Development

• Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with clients, acting as a primary point of contact for assigned projects.

• Understand client needs, challenges, and objectives thoroughly to tailor user-centric solutions effectively.

• Proactively identify opportunities for additional support or follow-up engagements with existing clients to build, maintain, and convert an active pipeline of projects relevant to the CareerWise mission.

• Serve as a public-facing ambassador and skilled storyteller for CareerWise, representing the organization at relevant industry events, conferences, and networking functions.

• Confidently engage in public speaking with diverse audiences, from educators and policymakers to industry leaders and students.

4. Coalition Building & Collaboration

• Partner across internal CareerWise teams (such as IT, marketing, and operations) to share expertise and document learnings to strengthen the model.

• Build and orchestrate cross-sector partnerships with community organizations, industry leaders, school districts, higher education institutions, chambers, unions, and government partners.

• Align regional and local initiatives with state offices, national partners, and overarching policy frameworks.

5. Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Lead, inspire, and mentor a team of consultants and pathway experts rooted in boldness, creativity, integrity, and collaboration.

• Provide clear guidance, supervision, and professional development support to junior consulting staff.

• Create an environment where staff feel valued and motivated to take on complex, groundbreaking systems-change work.

• Support fellow team members across the consulting practice when capacity or specific subject matter expertise is needed.

Qualifications

• Experience: 10+ years of experience in management consulting or a similar advisory role, with a strong focus on project leadership, client delivery, and managing complex initiatives.

• Subject Matter Expertise: 10+ years of demonstrated hands-on experience and deep expertise in U.S. apprenticeship programs, K-12 and/or post-secondary/higher education systems, and workforce training models. This must include direct involvement in program design, implementation, evaluation of degreed apprenticeship.

• Systems Familiarity: Direct experience working with or for school districts, community colleges, universities, state workforce agencies, or large employers on talent development initiatives.

• Project & Grant Management: Proven ability to manage complex multi-stakeholder projects and large grants with clear accountability for timelines, budgets, and strategic outcomes.

• Problem Solving: A creative, data-driven, and analytical thinker with the ability to minimize barriers and maximize benefits of apprenticeship for both students and employers.

• Communication Skills: Exceptional written, verbal, storytelling, presentation, and workshop facilitation skills, with the ability to make complex models accessible to diverse audiences.

• Leadership Style: Empathetic, customer-focused, and collaborative by nature, with a proven track record of building cross-sector networks.

• Mission Alignment: Passion for CareerWise’s mission and a deep commitment to cultivating access, equity, inclusion, and economic opportunity for young people.

• Tools: Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite; experience with project management and collaboration software (e.g., Slack, Monday.com, Salesforce, Lucid Spark) is a plus.

Location

This role is based in Denver, Colorado. CareerWise staff typically work a hybrid work schedule with varying days in the office and other days remote. Remote work is not guaranteed and the schedule must be approved by the supervisor. Travel may be expected with some partnership contracts. There may be occasions (possibly 1-3 times per year) for staff to gather together in person. Exceptions will be made for special circumstances.

Compensation

The starting salary range for this role is: $96,026 - $172,526 annually. This role is not covered by the minimum wage and overtime provisions of the FLSA. CareerWise offers a generous benefits package including group medical, dental, and vision plans, short-term disability, 100% vested 401k plan with a 3% employer contribution, and flexible time off.

Working conditions and physical requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Usual office environment with frequent sitting, walking and standing. Frequent use of eye, hand, and finger coordination for use of standard office equipment. Oral and auditory capacity required for interpersonal communication as well as communication through automated devices such as the telephone and online video conference platforms (like Google, Zoom, MS Teams, Webex, etc.)

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals are encouraged to apply. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at: careers@careerwisecolorado.org