SUMMARY: While delivering innovative solutions, exceptional service and trusted results, the Program Manager provides strategic, fiscal and operational leadership of workforce related programs. The Program Manager plays a lead role in stand-up of a new program funded by the Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) to support Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) participants achieve sustainable employment in Northern Louisiana, incorporating Shreveport, Monroe, and Alexandria and surrounding parishes. The Program Manager maintains overall responsibility for meeting/exceeding program performance goals, quality of service expectations, and contractual commitments.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Direct workforce services to enable the delivery system to be consistent with plans.
• Achieve program goals related to TANF work participation, job readiness, occupational skills attainment, and successful employment outcomes, ensuring compliance with all local, state, federal laws, rules and regulations.
• Participate in the recruitment, interviewing, hiring and training of all staff, including an initial team of 13 to 15 staff members.
• Provide general oversight and supervision to team leads and functionally supervise all staff.
• Lead staff development efforts and continuing professional development initiatives.
• Evaluate assigned employee performance, and prepare performance appraisals, recommend and document disciplinary action.
• Develop program operating procedures and secure operation resources, including shared space, equipment and supplies.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with funders, employers, state and local partners, organizations and businesses in the community.
• Orchestrate community events such as in-person and virtual job fairs
• Represent KRA at conferences, community events, board meetings, and via podcasts and social media.
• Oversee overall financial management for assigned projects/contracts.
• Develop reporting templates to track federal and state performance outcomes as well as program goals and achievements, and produce and submit reports, as required.
• Supervise internal and external audits.
• Perform other related duties as required and directed.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Superior communication skills — oral and written.
• Excellent interpersonal, conflict resolution, coaching, mentoring and leadership skills.
• Excellent project time management, customer service, and organizational skills.
• Ability to effectively manage remote employees.
• Ability to professionally adjust to unforeseen circumstances or programmatic changes.
• Ability to cultivate and manage high quality stakeholder relationships and demonstrated ability to work with a diverse workforce.
• Ability to function at a high level of discretion and confidentiality.
• Ability to foster collaborative work environments
• Must be a self-starter and committed to completing tasks timely, which may include working additional hours and/or over the weekend as needed.
• Travel approximately 20-40% time.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree education, public administration, behavioral science or related field from an accredited college or university; Master’s degree strongly preferred.
• At least five years of workforce development, operations of employment and training programs required.
• Experienced with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) / Family Independence Temporary Assistance (FITAP) workforce programs highly preferred.
• Experienced with Department of Louisiana Children and Family Services programs highly preferred.
• At least five years of supervisory experience required.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and operate an effective adult learning, workforce development, or employment placement business.
• Demonstrated competencies in communication, strategic planning, problem solving, financial management and team leadership.
• Experience working with adults in the workforce system and those disconnected from services.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Personal computer literacy required, including effective use of the Internet, e-mail, video conferencing (Zoom, Teams) and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook). Ability to learn and efficiently utilize various case management and program management software.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Benefits Link: KRA Employee Benefits | KRA Corporation