Aviation Workforce Partnerships Manager (FT, Grant Funded), CFRE11621FIPSE

College of DuPage

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The College of DuPage is seeking an Aviation Workforce Partnerships Manager to lead grant-funded aviation workforce development activities. This role involves cultivating corporate relationships, supporting aviation-related degrees and certificates, and managing industry partnerships. The manager will focus on key industry clusters including Aviation, UAS Certified Drone Airmen (FIRE, EMS, Survey), Transportation and Logistics, and adjacent technology and Manufacturing. Responsibilities include efficient resource management, fostering new and existing industry relationships, providing excellent customer service, strategic planning, and supporting the College's marketing and communications plan to meet current and future needs. The position works closely with various internal departments such as Continuing Education, Career Services, and the President's Office to align services and support the Aviation and UAS programs.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree or the equivalent combination of related education and workforce/partnership management experience required.
Minimum five (5) years successful experience in project management, workforce development, higher education, human resources, operations management, sales management, or related field required.
Strong communication/negotiation skills (both verbal and written) required.
Demonstrable skills in managing projects or programs required.
Solid organizational skills including attention to detail and multitasking required.
Excellent relationship building and client-facing skills required.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively influence at all levels required.
Must be self-directed and work well independently as well as part of team required.
Experience working in a collaborative manner with diverse constituencies required.
Should possess a combination of hands-on tactical experience along with the ability to think and act strategically with demonstrated success in managing projects, programs or processes required.
An analytical mindset with great problem-solving abilities required.
Ability to make decisions in ambiguous situations, exercising good judgment based on information and analysis in an organized and professional manner required.

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree in Business, Marketing, Management or related field preferred.
Project Management Certification Preferred.
Demonstrated experience in effectively promoting workforce development programs to the community preferred.
Three (3) or more years full-time administrative experience supervising adult education and/or education programs for adults preferred.
Knowledge of Federal grant management preferred.

Responsibilities

Centralize the College's Aviation and UAS efforts, serving as a single-entry point and contact for external partners.
Map current Aviation and UAS workforce and economic development efforts/units at the College to inform better collaboration across campus and to improve access by external partners.
Develop an annual FIPSE budget, according to grant terms, and an annual work plan that includes activity, budget, enrollment, revenue and expense projections to ensure financial responsibility and growth, as well as compliance with the grant terms and objectives.
Work with Dean of STEM, Aviation, and UAS Faculty, COD Marketing and Communications, and other internal stakeholders to develop recruitment and marketing materials relative to industry and employer partners, prospective students, superintendents, and other regional high school leadership for dual-credit and dual enrollment partnerships development.
Assist the Dean of STEM in creating the strategic directions for Aviation and UAS Department.
Direct staff and faculty in a high performance, rapid prototyping, cost-effective unit that maintains an outstanding quality of service to all stakeholders.
Predict future market needs for professional development/career training and positively contribute to COD's image and financial sustainability.
Partner with employers to assess workforce needs, workforce program development and establish apprenticeship opportunities.
Work with the Dean, Grants Office, Faculty, and Institutional Research to establish quarterly and annual reports and workplans, as well as enrollment targets monitoring performance and annual action plan milestones based on the current FIPSE workplan.
Keep the Dean of STEM informed of FIPSE activities, plans and outcomes.
Conduct ongoing research of new programs and evaluation of existing Aviation and UAS programs and activities.
Direct the Aviation and UAS Employer and Stakeholder Committee and lead regular meetings of regional employers, partners, and key industry stakeholders.
Lead FIPSE Aviation and UAS efforts to communicate total economic development impact, as well as employer and employee success stories.
Develop a model to assess business training gaps and to quantifying a firm’s ROI from COD training.
Represent the Dean of STEM in meetings as directed by the Dean of STEM.
Other related duties as assigned by the Dean of STEM.