Executive Director, Regional Employment

Executive Director, Regional EmploymentThe Executive Director will lead the implementation of a regional strategy designed to attract, retain, and connect young adults in a variety of life circumstances to economic opportunity in the Kenosha/Racine region. The position will transform a strategic vision into an operational system that integrates workforce development, community building, and talent attraction.Working closely with regional partners, including employers, economic development organizations, municipalities, educational institutions, and community organizations, the Executive Director will start to impact the initiative by building and managing:Workforce Systems: Create a regional employment and career navigation system connecting young adults to increase social mobility across various levels of education and life experiencesData Systems: Collect comprehensive data in a developed ecosystem for both individuals who would benefit from the established system, as well as the existing opportunities in Southeastern Wisconsin, in a sophisticated and longitudinal way.Communication Systems: Identify a marketing and communications strategy to articulate the initiative and connect with the key stakeholders, including young adults and organizations.This role requires a leader capable of launching complex regional initiatives, building cross-sector partnerships, managing data-driven programs, and establishing Kenosha/Racine as a destination for young workers.Responsibilities:Workforce System Development:Build and oversee a regional labor market intelligence system mapping entry-level jobs, wages, career pathways, and skill requirements intended to make connections with the youth of the region.Develop a career navigation infrastructure that provides individualized guidance to young adults typically in the age range of 16–25.Coordinate employer partnerships that support work-based learning programs.Community Development:Connect young adults across the region through professional and social networks, in concert with community partners, that can develop programming that fosters social connection and retention among early-career workers.Talent Attraction and Regional Marketing:In collaboration with Marketing and Communication, design and implement a targeted recruitment campaign attracting young adults.Develop data-driven outreach strategies, including digital marketing, geographic targeting, and influencer partnershipsBuild and maintain a prospect database of potential recruits and manage a multi-stage recruitment funnel that includes a deep relationship with local high schools and community colleges.Partnership Development:Build strategic partnerships with:Regional employersEconomic development agenciesTourism and cultural organizationsEducational institutionsMunicipal governmentsAlign partners around shared goals for workforce growth and talent attraction.Data, Evaluation, and Impact Measurement:Establish performance metrics focused on outcomes such as:Placement in jobs that create social mobilityRetention of young adults in the region to influence population deficitsUse data to refine programs and allocate resources to the most effective initiatives.Resource Development and Financial Management:In concert with others, assist in securing funding through public grants, philanthropy, employer contributions, and institutional partnerships.Develop sustainable financial models for long-term program operation.Qualifications:Required:10+ years of leadership experience in workforce development, economic development, regional planning, or higher education innovationDemonstrated success in launching complex multi-stakeholder initiativesExperience building cross-sector partnershipsStrong analytical and data-driven decision-making skillsExceptional program management and development abilitiesStrong communication and stakeholder engagement skillsPreferred:Experience in talent attraction, regional workforce systems, or community economic developmentBackground working with higher education institutionsExperience building digital platforms or workforce data systemsKnowledge of Midwest economic and demographic trendsKey Competencies:Systems thinkingCoalition buildingEntrepreneurial leadershipStrategic marketing and communicationsWorkforce ecosystem designCommunity engagementResults-oriented program managementAbout Carthage:Located on the shore of Lake Michigan in the thriving Chicago-Milwaukee corridor, Carthage College blends the best liberal arts traditions with desirable degree programs, transformative learning opportunities, and personal attention from dedicated faculty and staff. Our beautiful campus, an 80-acre arboretum with stunning lake views, is home to 2,600 undergraduate students and 200 graduate students. Founded in 1847, Carthage is consistently named a Best Midwestern College by The Princeton Review and a Most Innovative School by U.S. News & World Report. All Carthage employees play a vital part in the success of our students, as we work together to create an environment where all can achieve their true potential. Grow with Carthage.Carthage College is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse community. We welcome applications from a broad spectrum of people, including members of ethnic minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status or status as an individual with a disability.This position requires a background screening