Director, Economic and Workforce Development

South Orange County Community College District•Mission Viejo, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Economic and Workforce Development plans, develops, organizes, implements, and evaluates the goals, objectives, programs, services, and budgets of the College’s Economic and Workforce Development (EWD) function. The Director serves as the College’s primary external workforce and training representative to agencies, consortia, partnerships, regional workforce groups, employers, and community stakeholders, and cultivates relationships with local business and industry to identify workforce needs and expand training opportunities. The position develops and oversees fee-based and contract education programming, supports work experience education and apprenticeship opportunities, and serves as a leader and advocate for the College in the external community. Responsibilities include coordinating EWD branding, marketing, and outreach; collaborating with School and Division Deans on credit and noncredit contract education; preparing and administering assigned budgets; and providing administrative analysis and recommendations to leadership. The Director also supports a collaborative, respectful, innovative, and continuously improving District culture and participates in District-wide governance and other collaborative processes. The Director receives general direction from the appropriate-level manager, administrator, or designee, and provides functional and technical supervision over assigned managers, classified professionals, student staff, and contractual personnel. The role is contingent on funding through the Strong Workforce Program Local and Contract Education. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 40 hours per week, 12 months per year; schedule and shift may change according to department needs. Employees must reside in California while employed with SOCCCD.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a discipline commonly taught at a community college from an accredited college or university.
At least five years of successful managerial and leadership experience in a post-secondary education or training environment.
Experience successfully developing new programs and services, collaborative partnerships, and managing projects.
Valid California driver’s license.
Knowledge of community college systems, academic terminology, outcome metrics, data analysis, budgeting, public relations, workforce trends, grants and externally funded programs, external resource development, and workforce development methods and resources.
Knowledge of the Orange County business community and workforce development systems.
Knowledge of employee supervision and evaluation, program evaluation and continuous improvement, proposal and budget development, marketing, and business communication.
Ability to administer budgets, personnel, and facilities in compliance with applicable regulations and District policies.
Ability to develop educational partnerships, contract training programs, markets, and promotional strategies.
Ability to collect and analyze data, prepare reports, communicate effectively with diverse constituencies, and represent the College in public settings.
Ability to obtain external funding and develop, implement, and report on innovative programs.
Ability to lead, train, supervise, and evaluate personnel and to manage projects, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively in a multi-college environment.
Ability to interpret and apply District policies and applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
Ability to write grants, proposals, contracts, recommendations, reports, and professional correspondence.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with interruptions and to exercise judgment, tact, patience, diplomacy, and ethical accountability.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.

Responsibilities

Lead administration of the College’s externally focused economic and workforce development programs and services, including personnel management and grant-funded projects.
Formulate, recommend, and implement short- and long-range goals and strategic plans aligned with College and District plans.
Represent the College to business, industry, government, and workforce development organizations, and establish and support an EWD advisory board.
Build relationships with local businesses and industry, provide technical assistance, and facilitate regional economic development activities.
Conduct needs assessments and collect and analyze data about local business workforce needs.
Facilitate the creation, implementation, and evaluation of the College’s EWD plan and assigned program objectives.
Serve as liaison to business organizations, community and regional groups, educational institutions, and external agencies on workforce development and training matters.
Promote innovation and coordinate outreach, marketing, and public relations for EWD programs and services.
Prepare and interpret reports and data, identify options to address needs, and recommend business and program development strategies.
Work with subject-matter experts and stakeholders to develop training programs responsive to community, industry, and government needs.
Use feedback from employers, employees, faculty, students, and departments to develop fee-based and contract education solutions and improve operations.
Develop partnerships and agreements with businesses, advisory boards, and professional associations.
Plan and direct customized short- and long-term training programs, workshops, and seminars.
Identify and expand economic development opportunities with local, regional, and international firms.
Attend professional events and serve on community and state committees to plan, develop, and market programs.
Work with College marketing departments on EWD branding and marketing, including social media, website improvements, press releases, and marketing materials.
Serve on business, community, and EWD boards and contribute to public policy development.
Seek funding through partnerships, fee-based activities, grants, contracts, and other revenue sources.
Negotiate, prepare, and submit contract education agreements using approved procedures and templates, ensuring regulatory and District compliance.
Design and administer training and employment preparation programs and ensure timely, complete program records and reports.
Prepare, administer, and monitor assigned annual budgets and funds; control expenditures, approve purchase requisitions, and prepare Board agenda items as needed.
Participate in staff selection and train, supervise, and evaluate classified and contract employees and contract trainers.
Visit contracted work sites to observe and evaluate training methods and effectiveness, and administer employment contracts.
Coordinate contract education courses with School and Division Deans and faculty, including developing requested credit curriculum and hiring faculty for externally funded courses.
Develop student internship opportunities, connect employers with the career resource center, and notify relevant Deans of opportunities.
Promote College career technical education programs and services to business and industry.
Organize campus events for community, business, and industry representatives; organize, attend, or chair related meetings and provide workshops as requested.
Participate in state, national, and international activities promoting economic and workforce development and innovative workforce training.
Perform other duties that support the position and District mission, and report to work regularly and consistently as scheduled.