Executive Director of Workforce Initiatives

Job Title: Executive Director of Workforce Development Initiatives

Classification: Professional

Division: School of Adult and Continuing Education (SACE)

Department: School of Adult and Continuing Education

Reports to: Vice President for Extension and Engagement

FLSA Status: Salaried; Exempt

Reporting to the Vice President for Extension and Engagement (SACE), the Director of Workforce Development (EDWD) provides leadership and management for systems and processes that support the University’s workforce development and continuing education efforts. This includes the strategic development, administration and delivery of certificate programs, community-based education, noncredit courses, business and industry training, and other continuing education activities.  Major responsibilities include growing programs through strategic planning, operational supervision, overseeing staff, partner development, and implementing best practice approaches to non-credit programming. The ED will ensure alignment with organizational mission and public/private sector workforce needs. The ED should be responsible for managing external relationships, including with government entities, corporations, and major funding sources and oversee budgeting, resource allocation, and fundraising efforts.

SACE Workforce activities include, but are not limited to:

• Adult education and credentialing programs
• Professional/career training programs
• Regional workforce development programs
• Nonprofit and government sector training
• Customized training for business and industry

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Program Development and Implementation
  • Develop, implement and evaluate workforce and continuing education programs appropriately aligned with institutional goals and compliant with institution, state and federal regulations.
  • Lead the development of instructional techniques and objectives to improve learner outcomes in noncredit programs.
  • Conduct feasibility studies to assess program viability and recommend resource allocation (financial and personnel).
• Partnership and Relationship Management
  • Assist with cultivating and maintaining collaborations with business, industry, public, private and nonprofit partners to develop workforce development solutions.
  • Collaborate with partners to establish career pathways, including apprenticeships, internships, job-shadowing and other work-based learning.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Needs Assessment
  • Assess community and employer needs, and collaborate with internal stakeholders to recommend, develop and implement training programs to meet industry workforce needs.
  • Develop and implement strategies to reach potential workforce development participants and partners (including alumni) in order to maintain and increase retention, persistence and completion rates.
• Program Operations and Staff Supervision
  • Provide supervision and mentorship to noncredit program staff, including administrative assistants, instructors, seminar leaders, and other personnel. Ensure effective execution of their duties and evaluate program performance.
• Program Staff Supervision
  •  Supervise and mentor staff of noncredit programs, including administrative, instructors and other related staff. Ensure that they function effectively and that program performance meets expectations.
• Data Management and Reporting
  •  Use data to improve programs, services and outcomes. Share knowledge and data institution-wide for capacity building and resource optimization.
  •  Lead on the evaluation, monitoring and reporting of learner outcomes, programmatic performance and quality assurance through survey and other feedback mechanisms.
  •  Create programmatic reports for the Vice President, other relevant departments and external partners, using accurate data to make informed decisions.
  •  Serve as a liaison between SACE workforce programming initiatives and the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, Research, and Planning Assist in the analysis of learner and program success.
• Budget and Fiscal Management
  • Develop and manage program budgets, supervise expenditures, and ensure fiscal responsibility.
• Marketing and Promotion
  • Through various marketing strategies, promote SACE's workforce development and continuing education programs to learners, alumni, and employers.
• Other Duties
  • Perform additional tasks or duties as assigned by the Vice President for SACE or other designated management representative.

Qualifications:

Education:

*Master's degree in fields such as public administration, business administration (MBA), social work, or a closely related (e.g., labor studies) preferred.

*Bachelor's degree and 5-7 years of experience in workforce development required.

*Certifications in nonprofit leadership, human resources, or economic development encouraged.

Experience:

*5-10+ years of experience in workforce development, including several years in leadership positions.

*Experience in organizational management, strategic planning, budget oversight, and fundraising required.

*Strong experience working with government agencies, large corporate partners, or community-based organizations is preferred.

*Demonstrated experience integrating trauma-informed practices into workforce and leadership programs to foster psychologically safe environments, improve employee well-being, and address systemic barriers faced by groups historically excluded from wealth-building and economic mobility opportunities.

*Extensive experience designing, implementing, and scaling workforce programs tailored to employer needs, labor market trends, and community demands, with a track record of creating sustainable, high-impact initiatives.

*Skilled in using data to evaluate program outcomes, inform decision-making, and continuously improve workforce initiatives.

Physical Demands:

Moderate lifting up to 20 pounds as frequently as needed to move objects; dexterity to write and manipulate computer keyboard and mouse; ability to hear and speak clearly; and body mobility to stoop, kneel, and bend and reach.

Work environment:

Work is primarily performed in a university campus environment and requires a flexible schedule including evening and weekend work. Travel for administrative work is expected as well as visits to satellite locations. The employee is subject to inside environmental conditions: protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.

Lincoln University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages women, people of color, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply The University is committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration, and staff.