Workforce Development Director

Workforce Development Director

POSITION: Full-Time Workforce Development Director (Director): Corporate and Community Education; Haverhill Campus; 37.5 hours per week; Non-Unit Professional Position. This position is grant-funded and is contingent upon the availability of funding. Continuation of the position is dependent on ongoing grant support and may be subject to termination if funding is reduced or discontinued.

SUMMARY: Reporting to the Dean of Workforce Development, the Director leads the development, implementation, and initial execution of high-impact workforce development initiatives that respond to regional workforce needs and employer demand. Initial priorities include the Baseline Manufacturing Training Program and the Community College Heat Pump and HVAC Training Program. The Director will lead these initiatives through their pilot phases and establish the structures, partnerships, resources, and operational models needed to transition them into sustainable, scalable programs.

Working in alignment with the Dean of Workforce Development, the Director translates strategic priorities into actionable implementation plans and is responsible for coordinating the people, resources, and activities necessary to achieve program goals. This includes engaging employers and community stakeholders; overseeing the development of curriculum frameworks and training models; identifying instructional, operational, and equipment needs; and coordinating implementation across institutional and external partners. The Director will also cultivate employer and community partnerships, collaborate with the Grants Office to identify and pursue funding opportunities, and develop performance measures and sustainability plans to support program effectiveness, growth, and long-term impact.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

Strategic Program Development and Execution

• Lead the end-to-end development of workforce training programs, from concept to launch readiness, execution, and sustainability in alignment with the Department's strategic direction.
• Identify, cultivate, and grow further programming opportunities.
• Define program goals, success metrics, and implementation timelines in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders and manage associated tasks and outcomes.
• Develop comprehensive program plans, including staffing models, instructional space requirements, equipment requirements, and procurement strategies.
• Develop budgets and resource acquisition plans for curriculum, equipment, and staffing.
• Conduct labor market analysis and orchestrate initial and continual employer engagement to inform program design.
• In collaboration with NECC's Grants Development Office, identify and pursue grant opportunities and funding sources to support future program creation, development, and position funding

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Building

• Build and maintain relationships with local and regional employers, workforce boards, and community organizations to ensure program relevance and support.
• Convene advisory groups and pilot partners to gather feedback and validate program design.
• Ensure compliance with funding agency requirements and institutional policies.
• Align training with local and regional workforce needs, based on early and consistent engagement with employer partners.
• In alignment with the needs of employer partners, create and sustain internships, apprenticeships, and other work-based learning opportunities.
• Actively promote programs, services, and impacts through presentations, meetings, and community engagement.
• Continuously seek and source additional community and employer partnership opportunities.
• Establish a direct pipeline for participants to jobs with employer partners.

Curriculum & Instructional Design Coordination

• Collaborate with subject-matter experts and curriculum providers to select and adapt instructional content.
• Identify assessment tools and learning outcome frameworks to ensure instructional quality, balance of technical and durable skills, and industry alignment.
• Coordinate with academic departments and manage instructional designers to prepare program materials for operational handoff.
• Ensure programming aligns with, and offers, opportunities for industry-recognized credentials.
• Assess training programs for articulation to credit-bearing programs

Student Recruitment, Enrollment and Support

• Develop and execute outreach, recruitment, and marketing strategies to attract diverse student populations.
• Manage the creation and amplification of recruitment, enrollment, and other participant supports to ensure enrollment and placement metrics are met.
• Identify and coordinate the set up and delivery of comprehensive student support services, including advising, career counseling, and wraparound supports that address barriers to participation (e.g., childcare, transportation, financial insecurity, digital access).
• Create and implement a system to monitor and report on student progress, retention, and completions, implementing interventions and supports as needed.
• Working with other NECC departments, guide program participants to NECC's support services.
• In partnership with community and employment partners, ensure participants have direct pathways to good jobs upon program completion
• Secure support for program completion and job placement, or further education leading to career pathways for program participants.

Project Management, Reporting and Compliance

• Facilitate collaboration across internal departments at NECC, including Institutional Research and Effectiveness (IRE), facilities, finance, marketing, and student services.
• In collaboration with IRE, track and report progress on program development milestones, stakeholder engagement, and resource planning, and update accordingly as needs arise.
• Manage program budgets and reporting requirements for grants and institutional funding ensuring compliance with funding agency requirements and institutional policies.
• Prepare program documentation, including curriculum outlines, partnership models, and launch plans.
• Prepare documentation and transition and operations plans for ongoing program delivery

Job Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in education, business development, workforce development, or a related field.
• Minimum of seven years of experience in workforce development, career and technical training, program development, business development, or related field, preferably in a workforce or education setting.
• Proven ability to lead complex projects and handle myriad and diverse stakeholders with differing styles and preferred outcomes,
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain employer and community partnerships.
• Capable of speaking clearly and persuasively, and actively participating in meetings, both private and public in nature.
• Able to give and receive information and adapt strategy to changing conditions.
• Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills.
• Commitment to equity, access, and inclusive program design.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in manufacturing, HVAC/clean energy, or technical training environments.
• Proven ability to conduct comprehensive business analyses, including financial assessments, and to inform strategic decision-making.
• Strong desire to enhance program offerings and outcomes.
• Demonstrated success in cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with external parties, and experience with participant job placement.
• An insatiable curiosity, coupled with a grounded understanding of research, data-informed decision-making, and a continuous improvement model.
• Experience working in a community college.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English)
• Experience working with and supporting a culturally diverse population

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT : Applicants who do not meet the qualifications as noted above are encouraged to put in writing precisely how their background and experience has prepared them with the equivalent combination of education, training, and experience required for the responsibilities of this position.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• All candidates must have legal authorization to work in the United States. Northern Essex Community College does not provide employment-based visa sponsorship.
• Employment is contingent upon the successful completion and review of a background check which will include CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) and SORI (Sex Offender Registry Information).

Additional Information:

SALARY: Anticipated starting salary range is $100,000.00 - $110,000.00 annually with complete fringe benefit package including competitive health insurance, dental insurance, basic life insurance, long-term disability insurance, paid sick, vacation and personal leave, educational benefits for employee/spouse/dependents, and excellent retirement benefits. Official transcripts will be required at the time of hire.

ANTICIPATED START DATE : ASAP

To apply, click HERE

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