Dean of Community & Workforce Education

Tennessee Board of Regents•Cleveland, OH

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Dean of Community & Workforce Education provides executive leadership and administrative oversight for the college’s community-based workforce, and professional credit operations. Reporting to the Vice President of Academic Affairs, this position oversees adult education, workforce education, apprenticeships and internships, the Law Enforcement Training Academy, the Small Business Development Center, and the college’s off-site instructional locations, including the McMinn Higher Education Center and the Vonore Center. The Dean supports the college’s goals through connections between professional-credit and academic credit programs, making sure prior learning assessments (PLA) are applied effectively, and helping more adult learners transition into academic pathways. The role also focuses on expanding employer and community partnerships and increasing workforce-related revenue. This position plays a key role in bringing workforce and academic efforts together under one Academic Affairs structure to improve access, support student progression, and strengthen regional economic impact.

Requirements

Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in higher education or a related field within workforce development, and/or adult education, including any combination of:
At least three years of direct supervision of staff, defined as assigning work, evaluating performance, and providing guidance.
Grant management (e.g., writing/submitting grants, funding compliance, budgets, reporting, etc.).
Project management (e.g., planning/executing projects, coordination, tracking timelines/deliverables, etc.).
Employer/industry partnerships (e.g., collaborating, negotiating agreements, co-development of programs, etc.)
Revenue-generating programs (e.g., program development/expansion, establishing enrollment/revenue targets, recruitment development, identifying market demand, etc.).
Proficiency in Google Suite and Microsoft Suite for reporting, tracking, and documentation.
Knowledge of community college operations, workforce development systems, adult education programming, apprenticeship structures, and economic development partnerships.
Knowledge of credit and non-credit alignment, prior learning assessment (PLA), and career pathway development.
Experience in overseeing multi-site operations and community-based instructional delivery.
Ability to analyze labor market data and apply findings to program development.
Experience in revenue generation, budget management, and financial oversight.
Strong supervisory and organizational leadership skills.
Ability to build collaborative relationships across academic and workforce divisions.
Strong communication and external partnership development skills.

Responsibilities

Provide direction and administrative oversight for Adult Education, Workforce Education, Apprenticeships and Internships, the Law Enforcement Training Academy, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the McMinn Higher Education Center (MHEC), and the Vonore Center.
Ensure operations, scheduling, facility use, and site management across all areas of responsibility, including the main campus and all off-site centers.
Supervise, evaluate, and support directors and managers responsible for program delivery and operations.
Develop and implement strategies that increase transition of adult education and workforce students into academic credit certificates and degree programs.
Lead the development of integrated career pathways aligning short-term credentials, apprenticeships, and workforce programs with academic offerings.
Ensure effective application of prior learning assessment (PLA) to support student progression.
Establish and monitor workforce revenue targets.
Oversee budget development, fiscal management, and financial sustainability of assigned units.
Use labor market data and institutional metrics to guide program expansion, delivery models, and site utilization.
Expand and manage employer partnerships supporting customized training, apprenticeships, internships, and work-based learning.
Represent the college in economic development initiatives, workforce boards, law enforcement training partnerships, and community engagement activities.
Strengthen collaboration with business and industry to align programs with regional workforce needs.
Ensure full compliance and oversight of the Law Enforcement Training Academy, including program delivery, credentialing, and reporting.
Collaborate with fellow academic deans to align workforce training with credit curriculum and degree pathways.
Ensure consistent operations and service delivery across all instructional locations.
Serve on committees, strategic planning teams, or task forces assigned by the VPAA.
Engage in events or meetings as needed to support the college mission.
Perform other duties as assigned.
The Dean of Community & Workforce Education will be required to meet those standards now required or which may be required by the Tennessee State Board of Regents and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
May be required to achieve additional skill, knowledge, or credential levels.

Benefits

Insurance: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability (long and short term), FSA/HAS
Wellness Incentive Program (if enrolled in health)
Educational Assistance: Fee Waiver, Spouse/Dependent Discounts, Tuition Reimbursement
Employee Assistance Program
Longevity Pay
Retirement Options: State of TN Pension (TCRS), 401a, 401k with $50 match, 403b, and 457
Fourteen (14) Paid Holidays/Year
Sick and Annual Leave
Sick Leave Bank
State Employee Discount Program with over 900 merchants