Deputy Director, Int’l Jobs & Transitions
FilledJob Description
Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Best Buddies is the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.
Job Title: Deputy Director, International Jobs & Transitions Program
Department: International Programs & Development (IPD)
Reports to: Senior Director, International Programs
# of direct reports: None
Location: Remote
Salary: $65,000
Position Overview: Best Buddies International (BBI) is seeking a highly qualified, self-directed leader to serve as Deputy Director, International Jobs & Transitions Programs. This role provides strategic and operational leadership for BBI’s international inclusive employment (Jobs) and school-to-work (Transitions) work across multiple countries.
The Deputy Director will partner closely with country leadership to expand, strengthen, and scale high-quality Jobs and Transitions programs globally. This person must be comfortable operating and building momentum independently while driving measurable outcomes across diverse cultural and operational contexts.
Job Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree and 4+ years of relevant experience, ideally in inclusive employment, education-to-employment transitions, international program management, or nonprofit global operations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead programs across multiple countries or regions
• Experience growing inclusive employment programs internationally
• Background in employer engagement, workforce development, or corporate partnerships
• Familiarity with monitoring & evaluation frameworks and impact measurement
• Strong project/time management skills – including planning, analysis, attention to detail, problem solving, and ability to effectively multitask
• Strong presentation, facilitation, and written communication skills in both English and Spanish
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel, and basic understanding of accounting principles
• Strong initiative, dependability, drive for results, and self-assessment skills
• Must be adaptable and able to quickly and effectively develop and balance multiple relationships, and get results from a variety of people
• Ability to effectively gain information and insight through questioning/probing and observation of staff in the field, analyze information, and compile reports
• Must be comfortable engaging with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and working with them in a supporting role
• Must be comfortable with frequent international travel, use personal cell phone, and work evenings and weekends as necessary in order to accomplish job responsibilities
• Ability to earn trust with diverse stakeholders and navigate cross-cultural collaboration effectively.
• Strong initiative, drive for results, and self-assessment skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• A professional level of both English and Spanish.
Job Duties include, but are not limited to:
Programs
• Lead the overall strategy, support model, and implementation quality for international Jobs and Transitions programs
• Partner with country directors and Jobs/Transitions staff to design and launch country-specific Jobs business plans and Transitions expansion plans
• old country Jobs/Transitions teams accountable to goals, timelines, and quality expectations through structured follow-up and coaching
• Design and deliver trainings for Country Directors and Jobs/Transitions staff to implement the Transitions curriculum across classroom, small group, and 1:1 formats
• Provide coaching and technical assistance to country teams to ensure strong, rights-based, participant-centered implementation
• Provide Structured follow-up and coaching to hold country Jobs/Transitions teams accountable to goals, timelines, and quality expectations
• Drive continuous improvement using data, field observations, participant feedback, and employer insights
• Collaborate with National Jobs and Transitions teams to align program standards and share best practices across regions
• Support international research and landscape analysis related to inclusive employment and school-to-work transitions
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for assigned countries operating Jobs or Transitions programs
Fund Development
• Support funding deliverables for grants and corporate partners, including reporting and donor stewardship, in collaboration with the Director of International Development
• Identify prospective funders/supporters and provide strategic input on opportunities
Marketing
• Expand Jobs employer networks, in partnership with the Director of International Development, by:
• Leveraging existing multinational relationships
• Identifying and cultivating new partners across regions
• Supporting countries to secure and steward local employer partners
• Engaging employers and supervisors on inclusive hiring, workplace supports, and rights protections for participants
• Facilitating knowledge exchange between BBI countries and inclusion/employment partners to replicate effective models
• Increase visibility of BBI Jobs and Transitions globally through presentations, public speaking, events, and media
• Contribute content for social media, newsletters, and storytelling initiatives
Operations
• Develop and maintain a strong support framework for emerging and established programs, including benchmarks, tools, and implementation guides
• Own Jobs/Transitions data systems internationally: accuracy, compliance with standards, timely reporting, and use for decision-making
• Support Country Directors, as needed, with recruitment, screening, hiring, onboarding, and performance management of Jobs/Transitions staff
• Track program benchmarks and outcomes by providing timely updates, quarterly goals, and progress reports to the Senior Director and IPD leadership
• Ensure international Jobs/Transitions teams maintain organized program files and use databases effectively.
Best Buddies® is an affirmative action employer, in addition to an EOE and M/F/V/PWD/PV employer. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are foundational to Best Buddies International’s core values and help the organization continue to achieve its mission. Here at Best Buddies, our goal is to lead and advocate for a more inclusive world.
Best Buddies offers a comprehensive and generous benefits program that include financial security, health and wellness and time off.
Remote
Skills:
Accounting, Analysis Skills, Benchmarking, Best Practices, Business Plan, Cellular Telephone, Coaching, Communication Skills, Continuous Improvement, Corporate Funding, Detail Oriented, Developmental Disabilities, Diversity, English Language, File Maintenance, Follow Through, Funding, Fundraising, International Operations, Leadership, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Multitasking, Newsletter, Nonprofit, Onboarding, Organizational Skills, Performance Management, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Process Improvement, Progress Reports, Project/Program Management, Regulatory Compliance, Relationship Management, Sales Prospecting, Social Media, Spanish Language, Stewardship, Storytelling, Team Player, Technical Support, Time Management, Training/Teaching, Willing to Travel, Writing Skills
About the Company:
Best Buddies International
