Associate Director, Evanston Program Success and Workforce Partnerships

National Louis University•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The Associate Director, Evanston Program Success and Workforce Partnerships, serves as the primary point of contact and leads Accelerate U’s expansion in Evanston, Illinois. Reporting to the Vice President of Workforce Pathways - Accelerate U, the role builds and manages community and employer partnerships, leads learner recruitment, oversees program operations, and represents Accelerate U in the Evanston community. The position supports educational access and economic mobility by creating pathways to employment and college degrees, and calls for entrepreneurial, adaptable, systems-oriented problem-solving in a developing program.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience: a high school diploma or GED with five years of directly related experience, or an associate’s degree with three years of directly related experience.
At least five years of experience in program management, preferably in education or workforce development.
At least five years of experience managing educational programs and leading teams toward strong outcomes.
Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
Ability to collaborate across departments and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

Establish goals and targets for Evanston and develop and execute a strategic plan to meet them.
Build and manage partnerships with Evanston organizations, including ETHS, Youth Job Center, The Trade Collective, Cradle 2 Careers, Evanston Scholars, Oakton Community College, and the City of Evanston.
Lead learner recruitment with the NLU Marketing and Outreach team, including information sessions, recruitment materials, applicant enrollment support, and campus visits.
Lead stakeholder engagement in Evanston by hosting and facilitating community gatherings with residents, families, community leaders, elected officials, ETHS representatives, and peer organizations.
Oversee day-to-day program operations, including training and office space as needed, supplies, contact lists, and data-sharing agreements.
Build and implement the “AU at ETHS” strategy, working with ETHS staff and teachers and engaging students and alumni.
Represent Accelerate U in community discussions, identify opportunities to align with existing initiatives, and deploy grant funds strategically.
Develop and maintain the partnership with Northwestern University, including collaboration with its Community Workforce Development Specialist and participation in Ryan Field Workforce Development Initiative meetings and convenings.
Work with Northwestern and NLU teams on public communications, including press releases, social media, and community events.
Coordinate with NLU administrative teams, including Marketing, Enrollment/Admissions, Financial Aid, and Student Support, to support program execution.
Serve as the primary problem-solver for Accelerate U in Evanston, responding to challenges and opportunities.
Work with the Vice President of Workforce Pathways and Director of Employer Engagement to grow employer partnerships across Accelerate U markets and increase job placements for program completers.
Support cultivation of employer relationships, including with Northwestern Medicine, Endeavor North Shore, and Erie Community Health, and use those relationships to strengthen program delivery and outcomes.
Host employer events on campus or in the community to showcase Accelerate U and connect employers with learners.
Build and maintain partnerships with employer collectives, including P33, SDI Presence/XChange, the Civic Committee, World Business Chicago, and the Corporate Coalition, and participate in healthcare and technology councils.
Contribute to Accelerate U’s broader partner engagement strategy and support cross-market initiatives as assigned.