Director, ATDM Industry Engagement

INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED LEARNING AND RESEARCH • Danville, VA

17h • Onsite

About The Position

This position requires eligibility to access controlled unclassified information (CUI) and export controlled data, and candidates must meet applicable federal requirements, including U.S. person status where required. This role is onsite in Danville, VA. As the Director of Industry Engagement, you will shape how ATDM connects with industry partners across the Submarine Industrial Base (SIB) and Defense Industrial Base (DIB). This role is critical to ensuring our programs remain aligned with workforce demand and continue to deliver high-impact outcomes that support national defense priorities. You will provide strategic leadership for industry partnerships, elevate ATDM’s national presence, and ensure employers see us as a trusted workforce partner. Your work will directly influence program growth, student placement, and long-term sustainability. At IALR, our work is mission driven and rooted in impact. Through ATDM, we are building the workforce that strengthens national defense and advances advanced manufacturing across the country. You will join a collaborative, forward thinking team that values innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement. We invest in our people, support flexible work arrangements, and provide opportunities to lead meaningful initiatives with national visibility. This role offers the opportunity to operate at a strategic level, influence programs that matter, and partner with leaders across industry and government to drive real outcomes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and 10–12 years of progressively responsible experience in industry partnerships, workforce development, economic development, manufacturing, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 8–10 years of senior level experience building, managing, and sustaining strategic industry partnerships, including direct engagement with executive level stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex initiatives that span multiple organizations, sectors, or funding sources.
• Proven leadership experience, including managing teams, influencing without authority, and driving strategic priorities to measurable outcomes.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to represent the organization credibly with industry leaders, government partners, and external stakeholders.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 50 percent of the time, including regional and national travel to support industry engagement, partner relations, and program objectives.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree or significant additional experience in lieu of a graduate degree.
• Experience working with or supporting the Submarine Industrial Base or Defense Industrial Base.
• Working knowledge of advanced manufacturing environments such as CNC machining, welding, additive manufacturing, quality and metrology, or nondestructive testing.
• Experience managing or supporting federally funded workforce, training, or economic development programs.
• Demonstrated use of data and performance metrics to inform strategy, assess impact, and guide continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy, execution, and performance of ATDM’s industry engagement efforts.
• Set and execute a multi-year industry engagement strategy aligned with workforce demand, program goals, and federal contract requirements
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with key industry partners, including primes, suppliers, and emerging defense manufacturers
• Represent ATDM at national forums, industry events, and partner briefings to strengthen visibility and engagement
• Oversee industry participation, employer conversion, and job placement outcomes to ensure measurable impact
• Guide and approve outreach strategies, account plans, and engagement targets developed by your team
• Ensure alignment with contractual requirements, reporting expectations, and performance benchmarks
• Lead, coach, and develop the Industry Engagement team, creating clear expectations and driving accountability
• Partner across recruitment, career services, student services, and operations to deliver a seamless experience from candidate pipeline to placement
• Prepare executive-level reports, insights, and recommendations for leadership, funders, and partners
• Serve as a key liaison with federal agencies and stakeholders on workforce alignment and engagement strategy

Benefits

• Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and determined based on market benchmarks and internal equity
• Retirement benefits through the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) with employer match
• Generous time off, including vacation, paid sick leave, and paid family leave after one year
• Paid holidays, including a two-week paid winter break
• Anthem PPO and HSA health plans, with excellent dental options

What This Job Offers

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