Program Director

Program Director

The Workforce Program Director provides strategic leadership and oversight of workforce development programs to ensure strong performance, regulatory compliance, fiscal responsibility, and measurable outcomes. This role oversees program operations, staff development, employer partnerships, and service delivery to help job seekers gain skills, secure sustainable employment, and advance their careers.

The Director translates organizational goals and contractual requirements into actionable strategies, establishes clear performance expectations, and uses data to drive results and continuous improvement. This position is also responsible for fostering a positive, collaborative, and high-performing team culture where employees are supported, developed, and held accountable for achieving program goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Develop and implement program strategies aligned with organizational goals, contract requirements, and community workforce needs.
• Oversee program operations, service delivery, enrollment, training, job placement, and employment retention.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure program goals and contractual outcomes are achieved.
• Analyze performance data, identify gaps, and implement action plans to improve results.
• Promote customer-centered services that support career advancement and sustainable employment.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Ensure compliance with WIOA, applicable federal and state regulations, Workforce Board requirements, and funding guidelines.
• Oversee program documentation, eligibility processes, reporting accuracy, and quality assurance activities.
• Address audit findings, implement corrective actions, and strengthen operational procedures.
• Maintain accountability for accurate, timely reporting and continuous compliance improvement.
• Monitor program budgets, expenditures, and resource allocation.
• Ensure funds are used appropriately, efficiently, and in accordance with contractual requirements.
• Partner with Finance and organizational leadership to monitor financial performance and address budget variances.
• Identify opportunities to maximize resources and support program sustainability.
• Build and maintain relationships with employers, training providers, educational institutions, Workforce Boards, and community partners.
• Collaborate with employer-facing teams to align workforce services with labor market needs and employment opportunities.
• Expand partnerships that support occupational training, work-based learning, job placement, and career advancement.
• Represent the organization in stakeholder meetings and community workforce initiatives.
• Build a positive, inclusive, and high-performing team culture grounded in trust, collaboration, communication, and accountability.
• Establish clear expectations and performance goals for managers and staff, ensuring alignment with program objectives.
• Coach and develop employees, strengthen leadership capacity, and support professional growth.
• Recognize achievements, encourage innovation, and promote open communication and shared problem-solving.
• Address performance concerns promptly and fairly while providing employees with the guidance and resources needed to succeed.
• Monitor team engagement, staffing needs, and workload to support employee effectiveness and retention.
• Use dashboards, KPIs, and program data to evaluate performance and guide decision-making.
• Prepare and present reports on program outcomes, compliance, financial performance, and strategic initiatives.
• Establish consistent performance reviews and accountability processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve service delivery, operational efficiency, customer experience, and program outcomes.

Key Performance Indicators and Program Outcomes include:

• Program performance: Achievement of enrollment, service delivery, and contractual performance targets.
• Employment outcomes: Job placement, employment retention, and career advancement results.
• Training outcomes: Training completion, credential attainment, and alignment with employer demand.
• Compliance and quality: Accurate documentation, timely reporting, audit readiness, and achievement of established quality standards.
• Financial performance: Responsible budget management, appropriate expenditure utilization, and compliance with funding requirements.
• Employer engagement: Development of strategic partnerships, qualified job opportunities, and successful employer referrals and placements.
• Team effectiveness: Employee development, engagement, performance accountability, and retention.
• Continuous improvement: Timely implementation of corrective actions and measurable improvements in program performance and service quality.

Performance will be evaluated against approved organizational goals, applicable contract requirements, and established performance standards.

Qualifications

Qualifications include:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Workforce Development, Human Resources, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated experience in workforce development, WIOA program management, grant-funded programs, or comparable program operations.
• Knowledge of federal and state workforce regulations, Workforce Board requirements, performance measures, and compliance standards.
• Proven experience in program leadership, staff supervision, performance management, and budget oversight.
• Experience using data, KPIs, dashboards, and reporting tools to monitor performance and improve outcomes.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to build collaborative teams, develop employees, and establish a culture of accountability.
• Excellent communication, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience developing employer partnerships and coordinating workforce training and employment initiatives.

Leadership Expectations include:

The successful candidate will be a results-driven, people-centered leader who demonstrates integrity, strategic thinking, adaptability, and sound judgment. The Director must balance performance expectations with employee development, promote collaboration across teams, and create an environment where people feel valued, understand their purpose, and are empowered to succeed.

Success in this role means delivering measurable workforce outcomes, maintaining strong compliance and financial accountability, building effective partnerships, and developing a thriving team committed to continuous improvement and organizational excellence.

Additional Information

We provide:

• Competitive wages for high performance
• 11 Paid Holidays
• PTO
• Tuition reimbursement
• Guided Professional Development Plans
• Summer Fridays
• Weekly Wellness Sessions
• Medical/Vision/ Dental
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• Employer 401k Contributions
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Company Picnics Volunteer Experiences
• Access to Free Financial Counseling
• Innovation and a culture of continuous improvement are built into the fabric of our company. Staff have an opportunity to improve themselves and our company by joining our Fit Forward, Innovation and Green teams.

About Us: Grant Associates is a national workforce development company that is passionate about raising the economic security for the people, businesses, and communities we serve. Since opening our doors in 1997, we have operated programs in cities large and small, partnering with communities to build the human side of economic development. As one of the largest workforce development organizations in North America, we have provided workforce development services to more than 50,000 companies and helped more than 1.2 million people achieve their career goals.

APM, including Equus Workforce Solutions, Ross Innovative Employment Solutions, Dynamic Workforce Solutions, DESI, AGELIC, and Grant Associates, is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

APM is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application, interview, or selection process, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io.