ABOUT BASTA

First-generation college students have what it takes to bring immense value to the workforce, but often face systemic barriers in professional knowledge, networks, and opportunity. More than half of recent grads are underemployed, with most projected to remain underemployed 10+ years after graduation. Basta is closing the employment gap for first-generation students, enabling them to secure great jobs, launch careers, and change the face of leadership in the workforce.

Since 2016, we have built innovative, data-driven solutions ensuring students convert their hard-earned degrees into a great first job. Through AI-enabled, personalized career preparation and partnerships with top employers, we are accelerating the professional journey of thousands of first-gen students at 300 campuses…and counting! Basta participants are now thriving in their first jobs at Bloomberg, Snap Inc., Citi, DonorsChoose, and over 100 other companies.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Basta is expanding its presence in Philadelphia, and this role will sit at the intersection of the citys talent and employer ecosystem. As the Philadelphia Partnership Manager, you will bring lived experience in and around Philadelphia and a strong understanding of its neighborhoods, institutions, and employers to shape Bastas local presence from day one. You will lead relationship management, partner engagement, and community activation tailored to the citys context, while playing a key role in launching and sustaining a high-impact local Advisory Board in collaboration with an exciting local expansion partner.

SUCCESS IN PROGRAM MANAGER ROLE LOOKS LIKE:

By the end of Year 1, the Philadelphia Partnership Manager will:

• Support the successful launch of Bastas programming in Philadelphia by May 2026, serving at least 1,000 participants by June 2027.
• Support the launch and operations of the local Advisory Board by April 2026.
• Ensure ongoing, high-quality communication and information sharing between Basta, and local stakeholders.
• Support launch and community events, including preparing materials, coordinating logistics, and representing Basta on-the-ground.

APPROACH & DELIVERABLES

Phase 1: Onboarding and Relationship Building(March- April 2026)

Objectives:

• Onboard fully to Bastas mission, model, and partnership approach.
• Build familiarity with Bastas Discovery and CX teams in NYC and how their work connects to Philadelphia programming.
• Develop a deep understanding of the Philadelphia education, employer, and nonprofit ecosystem, identifying opportunities to drive awareness and excitement locally.
• Coordinate early planning and communication with expansion partner

Key Activities and Deliverables:

• Complete onboarding with Basta and national expansion partner
• Support the announcement and launch planning alongside expansion partner
• Conduct initial outreach and relationship mapping for prospective university, CBO, and employer partners. Begin to cultivate local champions who can help generate buzz for Bastas arrival in PA.
• Prepare materials for and attend monthly expansion check-in meetings.
• Collaborate with national communications and leadership teams to support Philadelphias public launch planning (April).

Phase 2: Launch and Execution(May August 2026)

Objectives:

• Serve as Bastas primary on-the-ground connector, driving awareness, enthusiasm and student engagement across Philadelphia-based organizations.
• Strengthen and coordinate relationships with active partners and the Advisory Board.

Key Activities and Deliverables:

• Facilitate communication and scheduling for program activities with colleges, CBOs, and employers.
• Support logistics, content development, and community activation for the Philadelphia launch event (May/June).
• Serve as Bastas visible representative in the region, attending events and cultivating networks that strengthen student and employer partnership.
• Help manage local Advisory Board operationsscheduling meetings, preparing meeting materials, and capturing action items.
• Maintain reporting trackers and prepare Basta data report.
• Ensure clear tracking of partnership contacts, commitments, and engagement in Airtable.

Phase 3: Partnership Stewardship and Reporting(September December 2026)

Objectives:

• Use insights from spring and summer launch to deepen engagement and expand Philadelphias student and partner reach for the 202627 academic year.
• Continue to drive creative, community-informed strategies that build excitement for Basta across college campuses, community organizations, and local employers.
• Collaborate closely with Bastas Sales and CX teams to document progress and share learnings that inform long-term market expansion.

Key Activities And Deliverables:

• Conduct regular (monthly or bi-monthly) partner check-ins and document progress.
• Support data collection and reporting for key performance indicators, including participant outcomes, partner engagement, and employer placements.
• Participate in Bastaexpansion partner annual performance review sessions.
• Support storytelling and documentation: participant testimonials, success stories, and visual content for Philadelphia fundraising/marketing.
• Identify new opportunities for employer sponsorships, community partnerships, and local funding.
• Deliver end-of-year partner summary and recommendations for scaling engagement in Year 2.
• Coordinate regularly with Bastas Discovery team to connect new Philadelphia partners directly to student programming and engagement initiatives

REPORTING AND COMMUNICATION

The Partnership Manager will provide:

• Bi-weekly progress updates to Bastas General Manager of Discovery
• Monthly updates and meeting participation with expansion partners leadership team
• Documentation of local partner engagements in Basta tracking tools.
• Contributions to annual data reports, case studies, and launch review materials.

DURATION

This Scope of Work covers March 2026 December 2026. Renewal or extension will depend on meeting milestones and ongoing funding alignment.