Y Combinator Head of Partnerships, Innovation Team
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Description
Originally founded in 1991 as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of seven PreK-12, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports-based youth development programs. Through our commitment to rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom. We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five-year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools—growing our organization’s impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit .
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
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The ROLE 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.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At DREAM, diversity, equity, and inclusion are a matter of mission.
From our schools to our playing fields, DREAM is committed to building a team where each individual can bring their full identity and experience to work because representation matters—it enriches our team culture, enhances our ability to innovate, and strengthens our impact in and out of the classroom. DREAM engages staff that represent and appreciate the diversity of our majority Black and Hispanic student body, while working to ensure that our practices are equitable, welcoming, and productive. We are dedicated to creating a world where youth, especially youth of color, have permission to dream—along with the tools and opportunities to make their dreams reality.
Come dream with us.
DREAM Maxims
All Kids Can. This Kid Can.
DREAM is Family.
Fun is a Serious Value.
Teamwork Makes the DREAM Work.
Fail. Persist. Exceed.
DREAM Big.
Applying to DREAM
We know applying for a new job can be a daunting process. In addition, studies have shown that historically underrepresented individuals often only apply to roles if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage all applications! You may be just the person we need. If you have any questions about your application or interview process, do not hesitate to ask your recruiter; we are here to help!
DREAM provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. If accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact your recruiter.
If you are a current DREAM employee, please click here to review our Internal Selection Process before applying.
As published by lever · 20 questions · 2 written answers
Basics
Resume/CV, Full name, Pronouns, Email, Phone, Current location, Current company, LinkedIn URL, Other website
Short answers (8)
- Please share your full legal FIRST name, as it appears on official documents (e.g., government-issued ID, social security card, passport)
- Please share your full legal LAST name, as it appears on official documents (e.g., government-issued ID, social security card, passport)
- What is your preferred FIRST name? (name you wish to be called and to appear on all non-legal documents)
- What is your preferred LAST name? (name you wish to be called and to appear on all non-legal documents)
- Do you have any immediate family members or persons with whom you have a close personal relationship who are employed by DREAM? Immediate family includes: spouse, parent, child, sibling, in-law, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, grandparent, grandchild, and members of the household. Please write in the name(s) of the person(s) or N/A if this does not apply.
- If you were referred to DREAM, please provide the name of the person who referred you: optional
- If the person who referred you is not a DREAM employee, please provide their email address or contact information: optional
- Other optional
Pick from a list (10)
- Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?
- Do you now (or will you in the future) require DREAM to sponsor an employment visa (e.g., H-1B)?
- Are you currently or have you ever been a DREAM employee? optional
- Are you a DREAM Legend? (You are a Legend if you are a past participant of a DREAM/Harlem RBI program, or a graduate of DREAM Charter Middle School or DREAM Charter High School)
- Were you referred by someone for this role? optional
- Please select the role that best describes the person who referred you to DREAM. optional
- How did you hear about DREAM?
- DREAM embraces the responsible use of AI to enhance work and learning. Candidates are welcome to use AI to support their applications, however, we've noticed an increase in AI-generated responses that provide little insight into one’s candidacy. We encourage you to ensure your responses communicate your own voice, specific experiences, and unique perspectives. optional
- Check this box to affirm that all information included in this application is accurate. optional
- We may text you with updates about your application, like your offer letter.
Written answers (2)
- DREAM’s mission is to level the playing field by providing resources and empowering all children to recognize their potential and realize their dreams. Please describe your interest working in support of this mission and children from underserved communities.
- Tell me about a time when you received significant constructive feedback. What was the feedback, and how did you respond?