Director of Workforce Development

The mission of Goodwin University is to educate a diverse student population in a dynamic environment that aligns education, commerce, and community. Our innovative programs of study prepare students for professional careers while promoting lifelong learning and civic responsibility. As a nurturing university community, we challenge students, faculty, staff, and administration to fully realize their highest academic, professional, and personal potential.

The Director of Workforce Development provides strategic leadership and oversight for workforce development programs, partnership development, enrollment growth initiatives, grant-supported programs, and related operational activities across the University. The Director is responsible for advancing workforce and enrollment objectives through the development of strategic partnerships, cultivation of state and community relationships, implementation of growth initiatives, and oversight of program admissions, case management, and performance outcomes.

Serving as a trusted advisor to the Senior Vice President, the Director translates strategic priorities into actionable plans, leads cross-functional collaboration, and ensures alignment between workforce programs and institutional goals. The Director develops and maintains relationships with state agencies, community partners, and other stakeholders, identifies new opportunities for program and enrollment growth, and promotes a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Essential Job Functions/Primary Responsibilities:

(The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

Strategic Advisor & Institutional Alignment

• Oversee daily operations of workforce program admissions, ensuring workflow and tracking of enrollment and case management metrics
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Senior Vice President, providing counsel on strategic initiatives, organizational design, and access to critical information
• Translate the Senior Vice President's vision into actionable steps for staff and provide direct oversight of implementation
• Constantly assess alignment with strategic goals and intervene when necessary to rebuild commitment and success
• Responsible for staff supervision and performance management
• Prioritize and liaise with states to discuss workforce programming, create contracts unique to state offerings with special attention paid to compliance
• Hold primary relationship with partner states and develop rapport that leads to positive business relationships and incremental contract growth
• In addition to SNAP Employment & Training responsibilities, explore new grant opportunities with partner states
• Serve as the primary point of contact relative to administrative relationship with CT DSS for University of Bridgeport SNAP program, if approved
• Develop new business lines with state agencies and community partners leveraging size and scope of university

Operational Coordination and Effectiveness

• Create and facilitate communication and workflows between workforce programs and partnering departments
• Build strong relationships based on trust and transparency toward institutional and departmental goals to drive progress
• Develop staff to hone and focus their skills to meet individual metrics that support strategic initiatives
• Create and evolve case management system in partnership with key university departments. Serve as primary liaison with partner states and responsible for communicating case management data to state reporting systems
• In collaboration with marketing department, develop recruitment strategy and process for workforce programs
• Collaborate with university Grants Department in the identification and application of new workforce development grant opportunities for the university
• Monitor goals/enrollment and retention KPIs

Planning

• Develop and implement strategic plans that support workforce, partnership, and enrollment growth objectives.
• Monitor emerging market opportunities, policy changes, and workforce trends to inform program development and institutional strategy.
• Identify risks, barriers, and opportunities and develop proactive solutions that support organizational goals. Balance short-term operational priorities with long-term strategic initiatives to ensure sustainable growth and progress.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated commitment to developing and fostering best practices and policies to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and build an environment in which all members of the University community are treated with respect and dignity.
• Demonstrated experience leading initiatives in complex environments involving multiple stakeholders.
• Experience using performance metrics and outcome data to drive decision-making and organizational success.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Exceptional relationship-management skills, and the ability to influence without authority
• Proven ability to adapt strategies in response to evolving priorities and changing market conditions while maintaining momentum toward long-term organizational goals.
• Ability to maintain composure and direction in high-pressure situations
• Highly organized yet flexible; ability to pivot based on the needs of the day while maintaining focus on long-term priorities.

Education, Training and Experience:

• Masters degree in Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, Education, Workforce Development, or related fields.
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in higher education, workforce development, enrollment management, strategic initiatives, partnership development, business development, or related fields.

Special Requirements:

• Valid driver license & insured vehicle

Physical and Mental Requirements:

Work Environment None Under 1/3 1/3 to 2/3 Over 2/3 Outdoor Weather Conditions X Work with fumes or airborne particles X Work near moving mechanical parts X Risk of electrical shock X Vibration X

Physical Activity None Under 1/3 1/3 to 2/3 Over 2/3 Standing X Walking X Sitting X X Talking & Hearing X Using hands/fingers to handle/feel X Climbing or balancing X Bending, pulling, pushing X Driving X

Lifting Requirements None Under 1/3 1/3 to 2/3 Over 2/3 Up to 10 pounds X Up to 25 pounds X Up to 50 pounds X Up to 75 pounds X Up to 100 pounds X Over 100 pounds X

Vision requirements:

X Close vision (i.e. clear vision at 20 inches or less)

___ Distance vision (i.e. clear vision at 20 feet or more)

___ Color vision (i.e. ability to identify and distinguish colors)

___ Peripheral vision (i.e. ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or

left and right while the eyes are fixed on a given point)

___ Depth perception (i.e. three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and

spatial relationships)

___ No special vision requirements

Full-Time Employee Benefits:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• 401k employer match
• Employee & dependent life insurance
• Great tuition benefits for employee, spouse & dependents
• PTO program

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Goodwin University and employee. It is used as a guide for personnel actions and is subject to change by the University as the needs of the University and requirements of the job change.)