Director of Workforce & Economic Development

Travel Requirements: 15% Occasional travel to partner sites, workforce events, and funding meetings

Working Schedule:

• Full-time
• Monday through Friday
• Occasional evenings and weekends as needed

Job Summary: The Director of Workforce & Economic Development is responsible for leading and expanding workforce development programs while driving economic growth initiatives at TMWG. This position focuses on program strategy, funding expansion, employer partnerships, and workforce systems development to create sustainable career pathways for individuals in our community. The Director will work cross-functionally with local and state agencies, businesses, training institutions, and community organizations to ensure the success of workforce initiatives and economic mobility programs.

Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive workforce and economic development strategy aligned with TMWG’s mission and community needs.
• Lead initiatives that integrate workforce development with broader economic mobility efforts.
• Identify workforce trends and anticipate future skill demands to adapt training programs accordingly.

Program Development & Management:

• Oversee existing workforce programs such as the Warehouse & Logistics Academy, Building Hope, and Delivering Hope.
• Design and implement new training programs to meet employer and labor market needs.
• Establish performance metrics and reporting systems to measure program impact and effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with WIOA and other federal, state, and local workforce regulations.

Economic Development & Employer Partnerships:

• Develop strong partnerships with businesses, industry leaders, and employers to create employment and apprenticeship opportunities for program participants.
• Work closely with local and state agencies to support economic growth strategies that align with workforce initiatives.
• Advocate for policies that promote workforce equity, economic inclusion, and sustainable job creation.

Funding & Resource Development:

• Identify and secure funding through grants, corporate sponsorships, public-private partnerships, and workforce contracts.
• Collaborate with the development team to write and manage grant proposals related to workforce and economic initiatives.
• Ensure fiscal responsibility in managing workforce program budgets and expenditures.

Community Engagement & Advocacy:

• Represent TMWG in workforce development coalitions, economic development councils, and policy forums.
• Engage community stakeholders, educational institutions, and nonprofits to align workforce efforts with local needs.
• Lead public outreach and awareness efforts to promote workforce initiatives and recruit participants.

Team Leadership & Staff Development:

• Supervise and mentor workforce development staff, ensuring professional growth and program success.
• Foster a collaborative, results-driven work environment within the workforce development department.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to integrate workforce initiatives with other TMWG programs and services.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Workforce Development, Public Administration, Economic Development, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred. A combination of education and experience will be considered. 
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of experience in workforce development, economic development, or a related field, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
• Skills & Knowledge:
  • Strong understanding of WIOA regulations, workforce policy, and labor market trends.
  • Proven ability to develop workforce training programs and employer partnerships.
  • Experience in securing and managing workforce development grants and funding.
  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and project management skills.
  • Ability to analyze workforce data and develop data-driven program strategies.
  • Knowledge of economic development principles and their intersection with workforce initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in nonprofit or government workforce initiatives.
• Strong existing network of employer and workforce development stakeholders.
• Familiarity with workforce technology platforms and program reporting systems.

Work Environment:

• Hybrid work model with in-office presence required for key meetings, stakeholder engagement, and program oversight.
• Occasional travel to partner sites, workforce events, and funding meetings.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced workforce and economic development leader to make a lasting impact on the community by building sustainable workforce solutions and fostering economic growth.

Salary : $80,000 - $92,000