SUMMARY STATEMENT
The Executive Director (E.D.) of the Manufacturing & Engineering Workforce Academy is a leadership role responsible for the strategic direction, academic quality, and operational execution of workforce development programs within the academy. Reporting to the Vice President of Skills-Based Education & Career Pathways, the E.D. leads the development of high-quality, industry-relevant training aligned with labor market demand and student success outcomes. This position serves as a critical…
internal and external connector—working collaboratively across the college and externally with employers, workforce agencies, and community stakeholders. Works collaboratively with the School of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering & Computer Science to support aligned non-credit to credit pathways and student completion of credit curriculum. The E.D. is expected to lead or contribute to collegewide efforts such as accreditation, program review, and curriculum development, while also building strong, responsive relationships with industry partners to shape programming and expand opportunities for learners. This role leads an Academy team focused on student retention, completion, and excellent customer service to all stakeholders.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Strategic Leadership: Set the vision and direction for academy programs, ensuring relevance, responsiveness, and alignment with institutional goals and regional workforce needs
- Program Development and Oversight: Oversee the design, delivery, and evaluation of non-credit and credit-aligned programs
- Internal Collaboration & Governance: Serve as a key collaborator across Workforce Innovation and collegewide, partnering with academic leadership and faculty
- Industry & Community Engagement: Represent the Academy to employers, industry groups, government agencies, workforce boards, and all community stakeholders
- Faculty & Staff Leadership: Recruit, onboard, supervise and support instructors and staff
- Operations & Budget Management: Direct daily Academy operations including scheduling, staffing, budgeting, and reporting
- Student Success: Support student recruitment efforts and drive an aligned strategy around retention and completion
- Career Readiness: Collaborate with Career Services and external partners to support work-based learning and employment opportunities
- Data-Driven Continuous Improvement: Monitor program performance metrics and use evidence to drive innovation
- Resource Development: Identify and pursue external funding to support program growth and innovation
- Performs other duties as assigned
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE/TRAINING
- Bachelor’s degree in Education, Business, Engineering or other field related to the academy + Significant related experience may substitute for education
- Minimum of five (5) years of progressive leadership experience in workforce development, industry training, or community/technical college education
- Demonstrated success managing workforce-aligned programs or technical training initiatives with measurable outcomes.
- Experience working collaboratively within complex organizations
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES
- Possess familiarity with curriculum design, industry certification standards, and/or regulatory compliance
- Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams and partner effectively across academic and workforce units
- Demonstrated ability to build and sustain industry or community partnerships
- Demonstrated advanced project management skills
- Demonstrated attention to detail and excellent organizational and prioritization skills
- Ability to collaborate, negotiate and resolve conflicts on major projects
- Possesses consultation and change management skills
- Possesses strong analytical skills to identify needs, develop and improve services and evaluate best practices
- Ability to independently set goals and determine best course of action to achieve desired results
- Ability to confidentially and discreetly handle subject matters requiring privacy and sensitivity
- Ability to develop and maintain relationships with key contacts to enhance workflow and quality
- Possesses sensitivity to respond appropriately to the needs of the community
COMPETENCIES
CRITICAL COMPETENCIES
Service Focus
Collaboration
Quality of Work
VERY IMPORTANT COMPETENCIES
Communication
Continuous Improvement
IMPORTANT COMPETENCIES
Time Utilization
Adaptability
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE/TRAINING
- Master’s degree in Workforce Development, Higher Education Leadership, Public Administration, or a related field
- Industry-recognized certifications, licenses, and work experience related to the academy’s focus area
- Experience leading program accreditation, review, or curriculum development processes
- Track record of successful grant writing or public-private partnerships
- Understanding of workforce policy and economic development strategies
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS
(The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)
- The work is performed in a normal, professional office environment.
- The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.
- Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the duties of the job and will perform repetitive motions with hands/fingers using a computer mouse and keyboard to type. However, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as papers, files, pamphlets, books, etc.
- Work may also require walking and standing in conjunction with travel to and attendance at meetings and conferences away from the worksite.