Strategy & Operations Associate

Pursuit is a social impact organization building the future of economic mobility in the age of AI. For over a decade, we’ve transformed lives through immersive training programs that propel adults from low-income backgrounds - often without college degrees - into high-growth tech careers. Our graduates have already generated nearly $1 billion in lifetime wage gains. Now, as AI reshapes every industry, Pursuit is evolving into an AI-native organization. We’re training AI-native talent, embedding AI into our operations, and building scalable software to extend our impact. From grassroots partnerships to national policy (like our Good Jobs Guarantee), we’re not just filling jobs- we’re rethinking how economic opportunity works at scale. About the Role We are looking for a contract Strategy and Operations Associate to work closely with Pursuit’s CEO as a strategic right hand in developing core expansion plans for the organization. This is an opportunity to contribute directly to growth strategy, market expansion, and financing approaches at one of the most innovative nonprofits in the country. This will be a Chief of Staff-type role, where you’ll work on high-priority, high-visibility projects, including: Leading industry and landscape analyses to inform Pursuit’s next phase of growth. Developing growth plans for expanding into new markets and sectors. Researching and modeling innovative financing approaches that align with Pursuit’s Jobs Fund and other vehicles. Partnering with the CEO and leadership team to shape strategic decision-making frameworks. Synthesizing data, trends, and insights into briefings, memos, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders. This will be a hands-on role designed for pre-MBA candidates with prior consulting or strategy experience, or post-MBA professionals exploring applied impact and early-stage environments and who want to apply their skills in a mission-driven, AI-native context. Who We’re Looking For Pre-MBA candidates with prior consulting or strategy experience, or post-MBA professionals Strategic thinker – You can connect data, market insights, and organizational goals to inform decision-making. Analytical and structured – You can bring order to ambiguous and complex challenges and create clear frameworks. Mission-driven – You want to apply your skills to economic mobility, equity, and the future of work. Adaptable and entrepreneurial – You thrive in fast-paced, high-growth, startup-style environments. Strong communicator – You can synthesize information and present it clearly to executives and stakeholders. Experience working with senior leaders – You’re comfortable partnering with C-suite leaders and skilled at “managing up.” Familiarity with financing models – Exposure to impact investing, nonprofit financing, or innovative capital models is a plus. Excited about AI – No prior experience required, but you’re curious about how AI is reshaping industries and eager to apply it to strategic challenges. No ego – You’re emotionally intelligent, culturally sensitive, and socially aware. Duration : 6-8 months (open to extending to full-time consideration based on mutual fit and performance) Structure : Open to structuring as a secondment, externship, or rotational program, aligned with your firm's requirements Location: Option to choose between remote work or hybrid in-person schedule Tuesday - Thursday in New York City headquarters. NYC based preferred. Reporting: You will report to CEO, Nick Simmons (MBA, Harvard Business School and MPP Harvard Kennedy School) Compensation: $50/hour for 30-40 hours/week Voluntary Self-Identification For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file. As set forth in Pursuit’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law. If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows: A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability. A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service. An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense. An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985. Select... Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form CC-305 Page 1 of 1 OMB Control Number 1250-0005 Expires 04/30/2026 Why are you being asked to complete this form? We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years. Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at . How do you know if you have a disability? A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to: Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally) Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS Blind or low vision Cancer (past or present) Cardiovascular or heart disease Celiac disease Cerebral palsy Deaf or serious difficulty hearing Diabetes Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders Epilepsy or other seizure disorder Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome Intellectual or developmental disability Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD Missing limbs or partially missing limbs Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS) Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities Partial or complete paralysis (any cause) Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema Short stature (dwarfism) Traumatic brain injury Disability Status Select... PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete. #J-18808-Ljbffr Pursuit