Director of Economic and Workforce Development

Position Title: Director of Economic & Workforce Development
Location: 11821 East Freeway, Suite 500, Houston, TX 77029
Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt
Work Mode: In-Person
Reports to: Chief Impact Officer
Salary Range: $70,000 – $80,000 annually

Why This Job Matters

The East Harris County Empowerment Council (EHCEC) is on a mission to unlock economic mobility and build a thriving, sustainable local economy. The Director of Economic & Workforce Development plays a critical role in shaping that impact, driving workforce development, supporting small business growth, and fostering regional economic advancement.

This isn’t just about running programs—it’s about building and leading high-impact initiatives that expand economic opportunities, strengthen employer partnerships, and empower the community. You will be responsible for designing and executing data-driven, results-oriented strategies that enhance workforce capacity, support local entrepreneurs, and create lasting economic change.

Your mission is clear: Develop the workforce. Grow small businesses. Empower the economy.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

Workforce Development & Job Placements

• Launch at least 3 industry-aligned training programs annually, ensuring 70% of participants are placed in jobs or career-track roles within 6 months.
• Serve 250 jobseekers annually through training, coaching, and placement services
• Strengthen and manage the EHCTX Workforce Collaborative, increasing employer partnerships by 25% annually.
• Achieve 100 verified job placements annually, confirmed via surveys or employer feedback.

Small Business Growth & Economic Development

• Establish and lead the EHCTX Small Business Advisory Council with 10 active representatives by September 30, 2025.
• Support 15 small businesses annually through mentorship, resources, technical assistance, or policy advocacy.
• Launch two community-informed initiatives each year to address systemic barriers to economic mobility.

Data-Driven Decision-Making

• Produce a quarterly performance dashboard measuring job placements, business growth, and resource gaps.
• Present quarterly program impact reports to leadership and funders to support strategy refinement.
• Implement two program improvement annually based on data analysis and stakeholder input.

Scaling & Innovation

• Launch at least one pilot initiative annually focused on workforce or entrepreneurship innovation.
• Achieve participant satisfaction ratings of 90% across all new programs implemented

Leadership & Execution

• Lead a team to meet 100% of key performance targets annually.
• Work with the People, Culture, and Admin department to provide quarterly professional development sessions for staff to build capacity in economic development and workforce strategy.
• Ensure 100% compliance with internal SOPs and external grant requirements.

Financial & Resource Management

• Secure $100,000 in funding annually through grants, sponsorships, or strategic partnerships.
• Maintain an active pipeline of 5 grant opportunities annually, with a 25% application success rate.
• Increase overall program funding and resources by 20% year-over-year to support scaling efforts.

Who This Job is For

This role is for someone who:

✅ Thrives in dynamic, fast-paced environments where collaboration and impact are at the forefront.
✅ Is passionate about forging partnerships and developing creative solutions to drive regional growth.
✅ Has a proven track record of delivering results in workforce development, small business growth, or economic empowerment.
✅ Is deeply committed to expanding economic opportunities for underserved communities.

This role is not for someone who:
❌ Prefers rigid, unchanging environments without opportunities for innovation.
❌ Needs constant supervision or micromanagement to stay on track.
❌ Shies away from taking ownership and accountability for driving measurable impact.
❌ Is not comfortable adapting to changing priorities and evolving community needs.

What You Bring

✅ Demonstrated experience in workforce development, economic development, or a related field—with a proven track record of driving measurable impact.
✅ Strong relationship-building skills—with experience collaborating with employers, small businesses, and community leaders.
✅ Highly analytical—with deep expertise in interpreting labor market insights and leveraging workforce data to inform strategies.
✅ Proven ability to design, implement, and scale programs—that drive regional economic growth and expand economic opportunities.
✅ Demonstrated ability to innovate and lead high-impact initiatives—with long-term, sustainable outcomes.
✅ Exceptional communication and facilitation skills—with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and foster meaningful partnerships.
✅ Experience leading cross-sector collaborations—to address community needs and achieve shared economic goals.
✅ Strong project management skills—with the ability to execute complex initiatives and deliver measurable results.

What Success Looks Like

First 30 Days – Learning & Orientation

• Gain a deep understanding of EHCEC’s mission, strategic goals, and existing workforce and small business initiatives.
• Build relationships with internal teams and at least 5 external stakeholders, including employers and small business leaders.
• Review 100% active workforce and small business programs, SOPs, and grant/funding documentation.
• Map and evaluate current data systems, dashboards, and reporting tools to create one baseline metric dashboard.

First 60 Days – Execution & Contribution

• Develop and launch an employer partnership outreach campaign with target to grow Collaborative by 25%.
• Strengthen 5 strategic partnerships to support hiring pipelines and resource development.
• Begin Small Business Advisory Council recruitment to secure at least 5 committed members.
• Identify at least 2 funding opportunities.

First 90 Days – Ownership & Strategic Impact

• Launch at least 1 workforce program and begin tracking participant outcomes and placements.
• Host first Small Business Advisory Council meeting and set 2025 priorities.
• Publish first quarterly labor market dashboard with insights and program KPIs.
• Identify one team training opportunity with the People, Culture, and Admin Department.

What We Offer

We know that great work comes from happy, supported employees. That’s why we offer:

• Competitive Salary – We recognize and reward talent.
• Comprehensive Benefits – 100% employer-sponsored medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous PTO – 30 days plus 6 health and wellness days of paid time off annually.
• 401(k) Match – We match dollar-for-dollar up to 5%.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Confidential support for mental health, financial counseling, and personal wellness.
• Employee Snack Bar – Complimentary snacks and refreshments to keep you energized throughout the day.
• Career Advancement Opportunities – Ongoing professional development, mentorship, and leadership training to support your growth.
• True Team Atmosphere – A culture built on collaboration, inclusivity, and shared success.
• Team Culture – Annual retreats, quarterly team-building events, and a commitment to work-life balance.

Physical Conditions:
The staff person must be able to attend meetings on nights and weekends as needed. EHCEC is a collaborative work setting. Employees pitch in to help each other with responsibilities as needed. Team members will be expected to contribute to teamwork and a sense of collaboration.

Disclaimer:
This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described, and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of the employer.

EHCEC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.