Director, Workforce and Community Partnerships

Manufacturer's Edge (ME) is a private-non-profit economic development organization whose staff and work are guided by our mission “to grow and strengthen the Colorado manufacturing community.” For over twenty-five years, ME has housed the National Institute for Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program for Colorado serving as a trusted resource and advisor to manufacturers across the state. As a leader of the Colorado Manufacturing Network and the MEP National Network, ME leverages strategic partnerships and resources from Colorado and across the MEP National Network to provide affordable, high quality, customized services generating validated economic impacts for Colorado manufacturers. 

As part of our strategic plan for growth and innovation, we are expanding our team and our services with the goal of increasing market penetration and doubling our revenues over the next three years. The Director of Workforce and Community Partnerships (Director), based in Colorado, will work with ME leadership and staff, sector partners and stakeholders in the state and across the MEP National Network, and manufacturing clients to identify best practices for recruitment and retention and develop a portfolio of services to address the growing workforce gap. 

Position Description: The Director will be responsible for developing and managing key workforce and community development partnerships, identifying opportunities and gaps for market entry, and within the first three years, developing a portfolio of resources and services that address gaps, generate revenue and impacts, and elevate workforce effectiveness, employee engagement, and leadership development for small and medium-sized manufacturers. This position will represent ME at the local, state, and national level in workforce related working groups and initiatives and will attend state, regional, and national meetings as requested. Working with the Operations and Client Success team, the Director will lead the efforts to establish ME as the “go to” resource for manufacturing workforce challenges in Colorado. Working with ME Leadership, the Director will develop program budgets and identify funding and business development opportunities to support the program beyond the initial three-year period of grant funding. 

For the first three years, the Director will lead ME’s involvement and collaboration with five other MEP Centers to develop and deploy a comprehensive approach to employee retention through practical application of the Job Quality Toolkit and other organizational development resources and services for manufacturers. As part of this grant-funded initiative, the Director will convene an advisory board representative of the manufacturing community to ensure the design and execution of the portfolio of client solutions respond to client needs in talent management, organizational strategy, and culture enhancement. The Director will also work with internal teams to recruit and manage qualified delivery resources, complete reporting requirements, and develop training, outreach, marketing, and program materials. 

The Ideal Candidate: The ideal candidate has a proven track record of strategic leadership, successfully managing partnerships and programs with multiple stakeholders and juggling multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment. The candidate must be enthusiastic, highly organized, independently motivated, possess sound judgment, and have creative problem-solving skills. The ideal candidate works effectively in a team-dependent environment but is self-reliant, results oriented, energetic, flexible, and proactive. 

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience 

• Experience: Minimum of ten years of program management experience or relevant demonstrated skill sets, preferably with experience working in manufacturing or economic development, community development, technology, advanced manufacturing, equity or academia. Experience working with diverse populations is preferred. 

• Certifications: Relevant certifications in organizational development, change management, or leadership development (e.g., DDI Leadership Facilitator, SHRM-SCP, or similar) are preferred. 

• Technical Skills: Strong proficiency in productivity software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite), CRM platforms, and assessment tools used in consulting engagements. 

• Industry Knowledge: Experience in manufacturing or economic development contexts is advantageous, with a demonstrated interest in workforce development trends and challenges in these sectors. 

• Travel: Must have a valid Driver’s License and be willing and able to travel both in and out of state as needed. 

At ME we firmly believe that finding the right people is the key to building a great business for ourselves and our clients. We are deliberate about recruiting talented and professional people. The right candidate will have tact and diplomacy in communicating with internal team members, government stakeholder representatives, association and education partners, and other service providers. We know employing a team rich in diverse thoughts, experiences, and opinions allows our employees and community to flourish. ME is an equal-opportunity workplace and we are committed to our Core Values: 

• We are Mission Driven 

• We are Trustworthy 

• We are Respectful 

• We are Stronger Together 

• We are Proactive 

Compensation & Benefits: 

ME offers competitive salaries and access to a full suite of benefits including, but not limited to: 

• Health/dental/vision/life/disability insurance for employees and dependents 

• Flexible spending and dependent care accounts, 

• A flexible work schedule, 

• Generous paid time-off including vacation and sick leave, family leave, and holidays 

Qualified applicants should send a cover letter and resume including two references to jobs@manufacturersedge.com. 

Questions should be directed to Jennifer.Hagan-Dier@manufacturersedge.com