Assistant Director of Workforce Development

UNITED ACTIVITIES UNLIMITED • New York, NY

2d • $85,000 - $95,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Workforce Development is a member of the Workforce Development Department’s leadership team and oversees a portfolio of workforce development and education programs, including Train & Earn, Learn & Earn, CRED, BOOST, FutureReady, and other assigned initiatives. The role provides direct supervision, coaching, and performance management to Program Directors and designated staff, ensuring programs operate effectively, meet contractual requirements, achieve performance goals, and provide high-quality participant services.

Working under the direct supervision of the Deputy Director of Workforce Development and in collaboration with the Director of Workforce Development, the Assistant Director is the primary management-level point of accountability for the assigned portfolio. The position requires managing programs with different populations, funders, performance requirements, and service models while maintaining consistent standards for quality, accountability, and results. The incumbent must comply with UAU standards and reflect its core values of honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, or a minimum of 3 years of experience managing large-scale social service programs.
• At least 3 years of experience working with nonprofit organizations, community groups, and performance-based government contracts.
• At least 5 years of experience managing staff.
• Strong leadership qualities and a demonstrated history of programmatic success.
• Exceptional writing, analytical, interpersonal, time-management, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and complete work without direct supervision.
• Respect for diverse racial, socioeconomic, ethnic, academic, religious, and cultural backgrounds and identities.
• Detail-oriented, with strong presentation, negotiation, conflict-management, mediation, and group-facilitation skills.
• Willingness to take initiative and be flexible as needed.
• Ability and willingness to travel between UAU offices, schools, funder meetings, and other locations throughout New York City.
• Ability to work collaboratively to achieve target objectives and outcomes.
• Ability to work additional hours as needed and attend meetings or events beyond the normal weekday schedule.
• Advanced proficiency with standard office technology and software, including Microsoft Office, Zoom, and G-Suite.
• Ability to lift 25–50 pounds as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Public Administration, Social Work, or Education.
• Knowledge of WIOA eligibility and documentation, adult employment programs, and DYCD and DOE contract reporting; willingness to complete training in these areas is also noted.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct supervision, coaching, guidance, and performance management to assigned Program Directors and designated staff.
• Oversee the operations and performance of assigned workforce development and education programs, including Train & Earn, Learn & Earn, CRED, BOOST, and FutureReady.
• Set expectations for Program Directors and hold program leadership accountable for contractual, programmatic, staffing, and organizational goals.
• Hold regular individual supervision meetings with Program Directors to review program performance, staffing, participant services, contract deliverables, operational challenges, and priorities.
• Maintain working knowledge of each program’s requirements, performance measures, budgets, reporting expectations, and data systems.
• Monitor program indicators such as enrollment, participation, retention, completion, credential attainment, employment and educational outcomes, and other contract deliverables.
• Identify performance issues and develop corrective strategies with Program Directors and department leadership.
• Review program data and reports for accuracy, completeness, trends, and issues requiring management attention.
• Ensure Program Directors maintain effective program plans, staffing structures, participant workflows, supervisory practices, and progress-tracking systems.
• Support Program Directors’ leadership and supervisory development, staff performance management, team operations, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate with the Deputy Director on vacancies, staffing needs, employee performance concerns, corrective action, and other personnel matters.
• Recommend hires for assigned programs in coordination with the Deputy Director and Human Resources.
• Monitor program spending with Program Directors, the Deputy Director, and Finance; identify spending concerns, operational needs, and budget variances.
• Review program purchasing and resource requests under established procedures and escalate requests requiring further approval.
• Maintain professional relationships with funders, government agencies, schools, community partners, training providers, employers, worksites, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure Program Directors respond appropriately and promptly to funder requests, corrective actions, performance concerns, and compliance issues.
• Support planning and launch of new programs, contracts, sites, and initiatives.
• Coordinate resources and activities across programs when needed to meet departmental goals.
• Assist with developing program models, scopes of work, staffing structures, budgets, implementation plans, and materials for funding opportunities.
• Participate in Workforce Development leadership meetings and report on program performance, emerging risks, staffing, contractual requirements, and management priorities.
• Promptly elevate significant participant safety, personnel, funder relationship, contractual performance, fiscal, or reputational concerns to department leadership.
• Mediate and help resolve escalated issues involving employees, participants, parents, schools, employers, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure continuity of supervision and operations during Program Director vacancies or absences by arranging temporary coverage with department leadership.
• Visit program sites regularly to observe operations, engage with staff and participants, assess implementation, and ensure alignment with organizational and contractual expectations.
• Perform other related duties as necessary or assigned.

Benefits

• Travel between work locations is reimbursed in accordance with UAU’s fiscal policies and procedures.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager