Director of Employment & Workforce Development

GAAMHA • Gardner, MA

5d • $70,000 - $85,000

About The Position

Join GAAMHA as Director of Employment & Workforce Development. Are you a collaborative, forward-thinking leader ready to redefine employment services and build new pathways to meaningful work? At GAAMHA, we're a non-profit organization that is breaking barriers and exploring better ways to support the communities we serve. As Director of Employment & Workforce Development, you'll lead GAAMHA's Employment Services department, strengthening and redefining existing I/DD employment services while developing CIES and future workforce initiatives. You'll create the policies, practices, training, curriculum, employer partnerships, and performance systems needed to deliver consistent, person-centered services and position the department for sustainable growth. You'll oversee individual and Group Employment services, support staff development and accountability, and build practical pathways that help people prepare for, obtain, and maintain meaningful employment.

Requirements

• You hold a bachelor's degree in human services, rehabilitation, workforce development, business, education, or a related field - or have substantial relevant experience that provides equivalent preparation.
• You have progressively responsible experience in employment services, workforce development, vocational or human services, including supervision or program leadership.
• You have experience developing programs, policies, curriculum, employer relationships, community partnerships, and measurable service outcomes.
• You understand publicly funded human-service or workforce programs and can manage documentation, compliance, reporting, budgets, utilization, and performance expectations.
• You communicate clearly, build trust, lead with empathy and accountability, and can turn ideas into practical systems and results.
• You possess a current driver's license, reliable transportation, and the ability to successfully complete all required background checks and clearances.

Responsibilities

• Redefine and Strengthen Employment Services: Establish clear policies, procedures, service expectations, documentation standards, workflows, and measurable outcomes for I/DD individual and Group Employment services.
• Build and Lead CIES: Develop and oversee GAAMHA's Competitive Integrated Employment Services (CIES) program, including service delivery, participant engagement, documentation, reporting, billing coordination, and contract performance.
• Create Workforce Training and Curriculum: Develop practical employment-readiness training, assessments, tools, and curricula that support career exploration, workplace readiness, job development, placement, and retention, including development of the Petersham culinary workforce training initiative.
• Lead and Develop the Team: Supervise, coach, and evaluate Employment Services staff; set clear expectations, support professional growth and accountability, maintain an active presence across programs, and model GAAMHA's values of Respect, Humility, Integrity, Empathy, and Persistence.
• Expand Employer and Community Partnerships: Build relationships with employers, workforce partners, training providers, state agencies, and community organizations to create meaningful employment, training, and work-based learning opportunities.
• Drive Quality, Outcomes, and Fiscal Stewardship: Monitor referrals, caseloads, utilization, documentation, placements, retention, contract requirements, budgets, revenue, and program outcomes; use data and feedback to strengthen quality and financial sustainability.
• Build for Responsible Growth: Identify sustainable funding and partnership opportunities and, as department capacity develops, explore employment and workforce pathways for individuals served through GAAMHA's treatment, recovery, housing, and other programs.

What This Job Offers

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