Director of Emerging Technologies

NorthWest Arkansas Community College•Nwacc, AR

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Emerging Technologies serves as NWACC's lead in developing education and workforce solutions in emerging technologies, working at the intersection of industry and education to translate regional workforce priorities into high-quality credit programs, contract training, professional skills programming, microcredentials, and stackable credential pathways. This means turning employer demand into concrete outcomes: new programs, industry-recognized credentials, workshops, customized training, grant initiatives, equipment recommendations, and student-to-employer talent pipelines that strengthen business competitiveness and expand career opportunities. The Director provides operational, academic, and industry-facing leadership for NWACC's advanced technology portfolio — including artificial intelligence, automation and robotics, electronics, semiconductor technologies, advanced manufacturing, intelligent systems, and other emerging applied technologies. Working across Academic Affairs, Workforce Development, K-12 partners, and regional employers, the Director leads the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of programs aligned with current and future workforce needs. This position may teach an instructional load up to 9 credit hours per semester. Reporting closely to the Executive Director of Workforce & Economic Development, the Director partners on strategic workforce initiatives and industry relationships while owning execution: where Workforce leadership sets strategic priorities, the Director converts them into educational programs and training solutions that deliver measurable impact for students, employers, and the region.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus at least three years of experience in AI, automation and robotics, electronics, semiconductor technologies, advanced manufacturing, intelligent systems, or related emerging technologies; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered
Demonstrated experience developing, managing, or supporting technical programs, workforce training initiatives, academic pathways, employer-aligned training solutions, or related applied technology programs
Experience building and maintaining effective relationships with employers, advisory committees, industry partners, educational partners, community organizations, or other workforce stakeholders
Strong project management, communication, leadership, and organizational skills, including the ability to coordinate multiple priorities, deadlines, departments, campuses, instructors, students, employers, and external partners

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related field and five years of relevant industry, workforce development, technical education, community college, K-12, or regional economic development experience
Experience integrating credit and non-credit programs, professional skills training, stackable credentials, microcredentials, apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, competency-based education, or short-term workforce training
Experience managing grants, externally funded projects, employer-sponsored training programs, budgets, schedules, assessment, accreditation, curriculum development, student success metrics, or program sustainability
Knowledge of relevant industry certifications and technologies such as FANUC, NCCER, CompTIA, AWS, ETA, IPC, PLC systems, industrial automation, AI tools, data analytics, cybersecurity fundamentals, or related emerging technologies
Experience developing or delivering programs across multiple campuses, employer sites, high school partner locations, hybrid formats, or other flexible delivery models

Responsibilities

Provide strategic and operational leadership for NWACC’s advanced and emerging technology programs, including AI, automation, robotics, electronics, semiconductor technologies, advanced manufacturing, intelligent systems, applied data skills, and related workforce training
Develop and implement growth strategies that align credit, non-credit, professional skills, microcredentials, certificates, apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, customized training, and degree pathways with regional workforce and employer needs
Build and maintain employer, advisory committee, K-12, higher education, workforce, nonprofit, and economic development partnerships to identify skill gaps and translate industry needs into actionable programs and training solutions.
Lead the design, launch, review, and continuous improvement of employer-informed programs, curriculum, course sequences, learning outcomes, credentials, instructional models, and hands-on learning experiences
Monitor emerging technology trends and recommend educational responses that integrate responsible AI use, data privacy, cybersecurity awareness, ethical decision-making, workplace automation, and applied technology skills.
Support student recruitment, enrollment, advising coordination, retention, completion, work-based learning, employment pathways, and transition to further education or career advancement
Oversee daily program operations, including scheduling, course planning, instructor assignments, lab readiness, equipment and supply coordination, enrollment monitoring, student support, communications, and multi-campus or employer-site delivery models
Recruit, onboard, supervise, support, and evaluate faculty, adjunct instructors, trainers, and instructional support personnel while promoting instructional quality, professional development, curriculum alignment, and current workplace practices.
Develop and manage program budgets, equipment plans, fee structures, grant resources, sustainability plans, compliance requirements, assessment processes, and reporting obligations
Support grant development, employer-sponsored training, revenue and enrollment strategies, partnership opportunities, equipment support, and regional initiatives that strengthen workforce mobility, business competitiveness, and NWACC’s role in emerging technology education
Additional duties may be assigned as necessary to support the goals and objectives of the department and college