Chief Learning Officer

NOTE: Please include a cover letter, detailing your experience with managing or otherwise advancing credit or noncredit education and/or training programs for adult learners, with your application.

To apply: email your cover letter and resume to careers@sbs.nyc.gov with the following in the subject line: Chief Learning Officer - CWO.

Salary: $100,102 – $135,000

The Division of Citywide Workforce Opportunity (CWO) at the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) serves over 90,000 jobseekers and 900 employers each year through its employment and training programs. Specifically, CWO manages three dozen training programs, in such areas as tech, health care, and construction, that are offered in collaboration with higher education institutions (including the City University of New York) and non-profit training providers. The Division also oversees a network of 18 Workforce1 (WF1) career centers, operated in all five boroughs by workforce development providers under contract with SBS.

CWO serves two core constituencies through its centers and programs. One is jobseekers, most of whom have traditionally been underserved and have not had ready access to employment and training opportunities. Eligible jobseekers enroll in SBS’ training programs at no cost to them and can also visit WF1 centers to take advantage of career services such as interviewing workshops or direct connections to employment opportunities across NYC. The second constituency is employers. Working with a variety of internal and external partners, CWO works to identify employers who might benefit from hiring graduates of our training programs as well as those who might benefit from targeted recruitment services offered through the WF1 centers that enable employers to find qualified candidates for a variety of positions.

Reporting to the Deputy Commissioner for Citywide Workforce Opportunity, the Chief Learning Officer (CLO) leads CWO’s Training Team, which oversees SBS’ portfolio of occupational and other training programs.

Specific responsibilities of the CLO include:

• Oversee CWO’s portfolio of three dozen training programs, including longer term, cohort-based occupational training programs and shorter-term opportunities such as construction site safety training. Ensure that contracted vendors deliver training programs that are aligned with jobseeker and employer needs and SBS priorities, as well as with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Develop and execute strategies to keep CWO’s portfolio state-of-the-art and responsive to employer and jobseeker needs. Work closely with internal and external partners to identify in-demand occupations and sectors, as well as industry trends. In consultation with the Deputy Commissioner and CWO’s data team, develop performance metrics as well as data dashboards, customer satisfaction surveys, and other tools to evaluate the effectiveness of CWO’s training programs. Partner with vendors to improve and enhance the programs as needed.
• Actively engage with participants enrolled in CWO’s training programs as well as contracted vendor leaders and staff. Regularly visit training program sites and participate in program graduations, orientation sessions, student showcases, and other events.
• Manage program budgets, oversee procurement processes, and manage training provider contracts to achieve successful outcomes for training participants and to meet division goals.
• Stay abreast of trends and best practices in sector-based training, adult education, and non-credit learning. Explore new models of service that might be supported by SBS to enable the agency to serve a greater number, and more diverse group, of jobseekers. These models include but are not limited to: training programs that are funded and/or managed by external partners; training programs that are offered in online, hybrid, and asynchronous formats; and shorter-term workshops/classes that offer certifications in very specific skills/areas.
• Oversee SBS’ training stipend program, which provides stipends to certain training program participants. Ensure that stipends are distributed in a timely manner that complies with all applicable rules and regulations.
• Promote awareness about, and referrals to, CWO’s training programs. Work closely with the Deputy Commissioner and Marketing Team to develop and regularly update a marketing strategy (and materials, as needed) for the programs. Partner with CWO’s Assistant Commissioner for the WF1 Centers to ensure that programs managed/overseen by the Training Team align with training voucher opportunities (called “ITGs”) offered at the centers.
• In close collaboration with the Deputy Commissioner and other CWO senior leaders, develop and coordinate a professional development/learning program for CWO and contracted vendor staff that includes existing opportunities offered by the City, professional associations, and other partners, as well as new opportunities as resources allow. Promote awareness of and otherwise encourage colleagues to participate in such opportunities.
• Mentor, coach, and support Training Team staff. Promote a culture of equity, inquiry, and creativity among the Training Team, and of exceptional customer service for training participants and employers.
• Serve as a member of the CWO leadership team. Regularly liaise with other senior leadership team members within CWO and SBS. Serve as SBS’ “learning ambassador” and as an evangelist for the agency’s portfolio of training programs. Represent the Division and SBS at meetings, conferences, and other critical events.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Preferred Skills

• 5 years of combined full-time experience in any of the following: managing credit or noncredit education and/or training programs for adult learners in a higher education, non-profit, or for-profit setting; managing executive education and/or professional development programs in-house for an employer, or at an educational institution; serving in a senior role in curriculum development, instructional support, or business development for adult education or training programs; serving as a senior administrator in a college or school of continuing education, professional studies, or similar institution that serves adult and/or non-traditional learners; or related experience.
• Knowledge of NYC labor market, including emerging/in-demand industries and sectors
• Experience working with employers to develop courses and/or training tailored to their needs (through executive education or otherwise)
• Experience with different modalities of learning (e.g. online, in-person, and hybrid; synchronous and asynchronous)
• Familiarity with learning management systems and other technology utilized in the education and training spaces (including artificial intelligence and virtual reality)
• Entrepreneurial spirit; ability to think in a visionary way around meeting learners where they are and the best ways that SBS might reach them
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to effectively speak and make presentations in front of large groups and ability to tailor messages to different audiences
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills; ability to work in a team environment
• Strategic mindset, entrepreneurial spirit, and can-do approach; excellent research, analytical, and problem-solving skills; ability to predict opportunities and challenges and make recommendations regarding how to address them
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure against tight deadlines, as well as to prioritize and manage an array of projects through to completion.
• Ability to actively listen and synthesize information; proficient in utilizing quantitative and qualitative data to manage and enhance the effectiveness of projects and programs
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and tact

Note: We appreciate the interest and thank all applicants who apply, but only those candidates under consideration will be contacted.

Additional Information

This position may be eligible for remote work up to 2 days per week, pursuant to the Remote Work Pilot Program.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

This position is open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate in your cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position under the 55-a.