Senior Director - Workforce Services

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:

The Senior Director, Workforce Services provides strategic leadership for programs that create access to education, workforce services, and employment for youth and adults. The team includes Adult Education and Literacy, Skills to Employment, Corrections Education, IowaWORKS services, and other workforce partnerships and programs. The position is accountable for participation, completion, transition and employment outcomes, funding stewardship, program compliance, partnerships, and team performance.

The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, but schedule may vary to accommodate business meetings and role requirements.

UNIVERSAL CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Advocate for Continual Improvement - empowering each other to identify opportunities for excellence.
• Collaborate with Mutual Accountability - working together with a willingness to take ownership and account for our actions.
• Champion Service - anticipating needs and create a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment.
• Perseverance - commitment to excellence even in the face of adversity or delay in achieving success.
• Lead - regardless of title, through positive influence.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide strategic direction and leadership for Adult Education and Literacy and Workforce Services programs, ensuring alignment with Continuing Education and Training Services (CE&TS), institutional, workforce, and community priorities.
• Oversee Adult Education and Literacy, Skills to Employment, Corrections Education, IowaWORKS services, and other workforce partnerships and initiatives.
• Serve as an active member of the Continuing Education Administrative Team, contributing to strategic planning, cross-departmental coordination, and effective communication to advance division and college priorities.
• Along with the grants department, develop grant applications for department funding opportunities.
• Lead CE&TS responsibilities related to federal, state, local, and private funded workforce programs and partnerships assigned to the department.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with K-12 districts, workforce-system partners, community organizations, correctional partners, funders, and other stakeholders that expand access and improve outcomes.
• Monitor budgets, funding requirements, participant outcomes, established goals, and compliance requirements for all programs in the portfolio; ensure required reporting and corrective action are completed in a timely manner.
• Stay informed of workforce, secondary education, adult education, public funding, and policy trends to ensure programs are prepared for changes and positioned to serve customers effectively.
• Lead strategies to improve access, participation, persistence, completion, credential attainment, employment, and transition outcomes.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen pathways from secondary and workforce-access programs into Continuing Education career education, employment, and Kirkwood credit programs.
• Coordinate with Corporate Training, Career and Community Education, Academic Affairs, and external partners to reduce duplication and create clear routes for learners and job seekers.
• Use data and program outcomes to evaluate effectiveness, identify gaps, allocate resources, and recommend changes or new initiatives.
• Lead, coach, and develop portfolio leaders and staff; establish clear decision rights and enable managers to own daily program execution.
• Represent Kirkwood on relevant workforce, adult education, corrections education and community planning groups.
• Perform other related work duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

• Lead the portfolio with independent judgment and accountability for strategy, program outcomes, financial stewardship, compliance, communication, continuous improvement, and execution.
• Meet or exceed established participation, completion, credential, employment, transition, funding, and compliance goals.
• Demonstrate effective upward management by keeping the Vice President informed through clear, timely communication, presenting recommendations, options, and solutions that facilitate strategic decision making.
• Build a collaborative, high-performing team with clear expectations and strong professional development.
• Use program data, participant feedback, partner input, and financial information to monitor performance and adjust strategy.
• Maintain timely two-way communication within the portfolio and ensure frontline insight and emerging issues reach division leadership.
• Partner across CE&TS and the college to create connected pathways and coordinated services.
• Welcome, value, and nurture people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, as well as support and promote an environment that accepts differences.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential job duties/responsibilities and performance expectations of the job, which should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES WITH/WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:

Position involves working in an office setting. Occasional (10-33%) standing, pushing, pulling and grasping. Frequent (34-66%) reaching and viewing a computer and other types of close visual work. Constant (67-100%) sitting, walking, repetitive motion, talking and hearing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in education, workforce development, business, organizational leadership, public administration, or a related field.
• Minimum five years of experience in workforce development, adult education, publicly funded programs, professional development, or related areas.
• Previous successful supervisory or people-leadership experience required.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple programs, budgets, performance measures, partnerships, and compliance requirements.
• Strong organizational, analytical, communication, relationship-building, and project-management skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS, LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS:

• Master's degree in a relevant field.
• Experience with WIOA, Iowa Workforce Development, adult education, corrections education, or related public workforce/education systems.
• Knowledge of project management and continuous improvement techniques.
• Experience in a community college or higher education environment.

EEO/AA STATEMENT:

It is the policy of Kirkwood Community College not to discriminate in its programs, activities, or employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, and actual or potential family, parental or marital status. If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy, please contact the Vice President, Human Resources and Institutional Effectiveness (employees) or the Vice President of Student Services (students), 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, 319-398-5572, equity@kirkwood.edu, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, Telephone: (303) 844-5695 FAX: (303) 844-4303, TDD 800-877-8339 Email: OCR.Denver@ed.gov.

WHY KIRKWOOD:

Kirkwood Community College prides itself on fostering a diverse workforce and values unique perspectives throughout its campus community. The college is a convenient, innovative, visionary educational leader striving to remain affordable and accessible. With more than 140 majors and programs, Kirkwood boasts 16,000 annual college-credit students while maintaining one of the lowest tuitions in the state. All degree-seeking students are eligible for federal financial aid and the college offers more than $3 million in scholarships each year to students from all walks of life.

Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Organization

Working at Kirkwood Community College

Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids is a globally recognized leader in higher education where learner success has always been a focal point. For more than 50 years, Kirkwood faculty and staff have cultivated a welcoming and motivating environment that meets students where they are, and helps them get exactly where they want to be. With one of the lowest tuition in the state, more than 130 programs to choose from, flexible class offerings, and convenient locations across seven counties in Eastern Iowa, Kirkwood makes higher education more accessible for people in all walks of life. Through affordable, innovative educational training and many impactful community partnerships, Kirkwood hopes to continue strengthening the regional workforce for years to come.

As one of Cedar Rapids' top employers, Kirkwood strives to reward employees with a generous benefits package and perks, including:

• Professional development opportunities
• Free use of the Kirkwood Recreation Center
• On campus retail discounts at places like our bookstore, Eagle Tech, cafeteria and hotel (yes, we have a hotel too!)
• Free admission to performing arts and athletic events
• Computer and software purchasing program through Eagle Tech, our Apple-authorized campus store
• Employee tuition discounts and half-price tuition for family members
• Generous leave policies that provide a work-life balance
• Choice of retirement programs and unheard-of employer contribution
• Competitive Total Rewards packages