Vice President of Workforce & Operations

Job Description

Job Description:\n\nDescription:\nThis position is based out of The Kennedy Collective’s Central Office in Trumbull, Connecticut. The role requires regular travel to TKC locations and operations throughout Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and Pennsylvania. Candidates must be able and willing to travel as needed to support organizational and operational needs across these locations. \n\nPosition Summary\nThe Vice President of Workforce and Operations provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for Workforce Development, Social Enterprises, and Mobility Services. Under the leadership of the Chief Operating Officer (COO), this position provides direct supervision, coaching, and development to a team of directors and managers while leading operational and financial performance across multiple service lines, locations, government contracts, and mission-aligned enterprise operations. The Assistant Vice President oversees P&L performance, business development, government contracting, workforce initiatives, service delivery, and operational strategy; develops organizational capability and scalable business practices; and drives sustainable growth through strong financial management, strategic partnerships, and continuous improvement. This position balances financial discipline with human-centered service delivery to ensure operations align with organizational objectives, regulatory requirements, and The Kennedy Collective's mission, vision, and values. \n\nCore Competencies\n\n Strategic & Operational Leadership: Provides strategic leadership and operational oversight across Workforce Development, Social Enterprises, and Mobility Services, ensuring effective systems and high-quality operations across programs, contracts, and locations. \n Business Development, Contracts & Partnerships: Leads business development and growth strategies by identifying new opportunities, strengthening partnerships, supporting contract development, and driving performance across government and mission-aligned contracts. \n Financial Management & Business Performance: Drives financial performance and sustainability through P&L oversight, budgeting, forecasting, revenue growth, expense management, and performance analysis while ensuring resources are effectively aligned with organizational and program priorities. \n Leadership, Talent Development & Collaboration: Provides leadership, coaching, accountability, and development to directors and managers while building strong cross-functional partnerships, strengthening leadership capacity, and fostering a high-performing, collaborative, and results-driven culture. \n Workforce Development & Service Excellence: Provides leadership for workforce development, employment, enterprise, and mobility services to ensure programs deliver measurable outcomes, meet contractual expectations, respond to community and workforce needs, and provide high-quality, person-centered services. \n Professionalism, Ethics & Compliance: Demonstrates integrity, accountability, sound judgment, and ethical leadership while ensuring operations comply with applicable laws, regulations, contractual requirements, organizational policies, accreditation standards, and industry best practices. \n\nEssential Duties and Responsibilities\nOperational & Division Leadership\n\n Provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, coaching, and performance management across Workforce Development, Social Enterprises, and Mobility Services while fostering accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. \n Lead and develop directors and managers across assigned divisions, establishing clear performance expectations, strengthening leadership capability, and building organizational bench strength. \n Oversee day-to-day operations across multiple programs, contracts, and locations, proactively addressing operational barriers, staffing and coverage needs, customer escalations, facilities disruptions, and other business-critical issues. \n Establish and facilitate regular operating and business reviews focused on key performance indicators (KPIs), financial performance, service outcomes, corrective actions, and continuous improvement. \n Collaborate with the Chief Operating Officer and organizational leadership to translate strategic priorities into departmental goals, scorecards, staffing models, and measurable performance expectations. \n\nFinancial Performance, Business Development & Growth\n\n Own and drive P&L performance across assigned divisions, ensuring revenue growth, financial sustainability, operational efficiency, and achievement of contractual and organizational performance expectations. \n Develop and sustain revenue streams through federal contracts, state-funded programs, commercial customers, and mission-aligned business opportunities. \n Identify opportunities for expansion, new business development, service diversification, and increased organizational capacity; develop business cases, resource plans, and implementation strategies to support sustainable growth. \n Collaborate with the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and organizational leadership on budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, variance management, and resource allocation. \n Cultivate relationships with government agencies, funding sources, customers, employers, and community partners to strengthen existing business and identify new opportunities. \n Represent The Kennedy Collective externally to strengthen organizational visibility, develop strategic partnerships, and position the organization for continued growth and sustainability. \n\nWorkforce Development, Enterprise & Service Excellence\n\n Provide executive oversight of workforce development programs, social enterprise operations, and mobility services to ensure high-quality service delivery, achievement of performance outcomes, and fulfillment of contractual requirements. \n Partner with workforce development leaders and employment teams to strengthen referral, assessment, job development, placement, and retention processes. \n Implement strategies and systems that increase competitive integrated employment outcomes, including placement, retention, wages, hours worked, and other established performance indicators. \n Provide strategic direction for employer development, employer relationship management, customized employment strategies, and other approaches that expand employment opportunities for individuals served. \n Advance career pathway, training-to-employment, and workforce development models aligned with participant goals, employer needs, and labor market demand. \n Drive execution of strategic initiatives that strengthen and expand Social Enterprises, Workforce Development, and Mobility Services while maintaining service quality and mission alignment. \n\nCompliance, Performance & Organizational Support\n\n Ensure assigned divisions operate in compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations, contractual requirements, funding requirements, labor standards, organizational policies, and applicable quality standards. \n Maintain working knowledge of government contracting requirements, employment regulations, labor standards, and other regulatory requirements impacting assigned divisions. \n Ensure accurate and timely documentation, reporting, and data management across workforce development, enterprise, mobility, and contract-related systems. \n Develop and monitor operational metrics, dashboards, financial reports, and performance data to support executive decision-making and continuous improvement. \n Identify operational, financial, contractual, and compliance risks and implement timely corrective actions, escalating significant concerns to executive leadership as appropriate. \n Maintain appropriate responsiveness to operational emergencies, contract-critical matters, executive leadership, direct reports, customers, and external partners. \n\nGeneral Responsibilities\n\n Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, ethical leadership, accountability, sound judgment, and effective stewardship of organizational resources. \n Build collaborative relationships with executives, organizational leaders, employees, government agencies, customers, employers, funding sources, and community partners. \n Develop talent through structured supervision, coaching, performance management, succession planning, and professional development while building the next generation of The Kennedy Collective leaders. \n Lead organizational and operational change initiatives that improve service delivery, financial performance, organizational capacity, and overall effectiveness. \n Model The Kennedy Collective's Core Values in interactions with employees, customers, partners, and the individuals served. \n Maintain knowledge of emerging trends, regulations, funding opportunities, government contracting requirements, workforce development practices, and operational best practices relevant to assigned divisions. \n Perform other duties, assignments, and strategic initiatives as assigned in support of operational and organizational objectives. \nRequirements:\nQualifications\nRequired Education and Experience\n\n Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Human Services, Workforce Development, or a related field required; equivalent relevant experience may be considered. \n Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership experience within a complex, multi-site organization. \n Demonstrated experience with P&L ownership, revenue growth, budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and financial decision-making. \n Experience overseeing operations generating $5 million or more in annual revenue through government contracts, enterprise operations, or service delivery. \n Experience leading and developing directors and managers, including coaching, performance management, and succession planning. \n Experience managing federal, state, or municipal contracts and related regulatory, labor, and reporting requirements. \n Demonstrated success building relationships with government agencies, customers, funders, and community partners. \n Valid driver's license and ability to travel between TKC locations as needed. \n\nPreferred Qualifications\n\n Master's degree or MBA in Business Administration, Operations Management, Human Services, Workforce Development, or a related field. \n Experience within nonprofit human services, workforce development, disability services, or social enterprise operations. \n Experience managing federal or government-funded contracts, including GSA, T2E, DMHAS, or similar programs. \n Knowledge of Service Contract Labor Standards (SCLS/SCA), prevailing wage requirements, federal procurement, and government contracting. \n Experience leading business development, service expansion, or other revenue-generating initiatives. \n Project management, continuous improvement, or operational excellence experience preferred. \n\nKnowledge, Skills, and Abilities\n\n Comprehensive knowledge of multi-site operations, P&L management, budgeting, forecasting, business development, and performance management. \n Strong strategic planning, financial analysis, organizational, and operational leadership skills. \n Ability to translate organizational strategy into measurable operational and financial goals. \n Strong leadership, coaching, performance management, and talent development skills. \n Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively engage executives, government partners, customers, funders, and community stakeholders. \n Ability to analyze financial and operational metrics and translate data into actionable business decisions. \n Strong relationship-building, negotiation, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. \n Ability to manage competing priorities and respond effectively to operational, contractual, and business-critical issues. \n\nPhysical Requirements\n\n Ability to remain stationary and operate standard office equipment for extended periods. \n Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 20 pounds. \n Ability to travel regularly between organizational locations, customer sites, partner locations, and community-based settings. \n Ability to communicate effectively in person, virtually, and by telephone. \n\nWorking Conditions\n\n Works in professional office, program, enterprise, and community-based environments with regular travel between organizational locations. \n Regular interaction with executives, directors, managers, employees, customers, government agencies, funders, and community partners. \n May work outside normal business hours to address operational emergencies, contract-critical matters, or organizational priorities. \n Regular travel throughout Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and New York, as well as occasional travel to other locations, may be required based on business needs. \n\nSuccess Measures\n\n Assigned divisions achieve established revenue, profitability, budget, and operational performance targets. \n Workforce Development, Social Enterprises, and Mobility Services consistently meet contractual requirements, service expectations, and established KPIs. \n New business opportunities, partnerships, contracts, and service expansions contribute to sustainable organizational growth. \n Directors and managers demonstrate strong performance, accountability, professional growth, and achievement of divisional goals. \n Operational systems, processes, and performance data support efficient service delivery, informed decision-making, and continuous improvement. \n Government contracts, enterprise operations, and programs maintain compliance with applicable contractual, regulatory, labor, and organizational requirements. \n Cross-functional partnerships and strategic initiatives are executed effectively while supporting organizational objectives and The Kennedy Collective's mission, vision, and values. \n\nCompensation and Benefits\nCompensation\n\n Compensation for this position is based on experience, qualifications, and applicable organizational compensation practices, where applicable. \n The salary range for this position will be provided in accordance with applicable federal and Connecticut pay transparency requirements. \n\nBenefits\nEligible employees may participate in The Kennedy Collective's comprehensive benefits program, subject to plan eligibility requirements, which may include: \n\n Medical, dental, and vision insurance \n Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options, where applicable \n Employer-paid life and disability insurance \n Retirement savings plan with employer contributions, if eligible \n Paid time off and floating holidays \n Employee Assistance Program (EAP) \n Professional development and training opportunities \n Employee discount and wellness programs \n Additional voluntary benefits offered by The Kennedy Collective \n\nEqual Employment Opportunity\nThe Kennedy Collective is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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