Center for Workforce Development - Director

D'Youville University•Buffalo, NY

20h•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Workforce Development Programming serves as the founding academic and administrative leader responsible for the design, approval, implementation, and ongoing success of workforce-aligned healthcare certificate programs housed within the D’Youville University Early College & Center for Workforce Development. Reporting to executive leadership, the Director will provide strategic vision and operational leadership to develop a portfolio of short-term, high-impact credential programs aligned with regional workforce demand, federal financial aid opportunities, and institutional priorities. Initial program areas include Phlebotomy Technician, Sterile Processing Technician, EKG Technician, Behavioral Health Technician, and Medical Assistant, with additional coordination of existing Pharmacy Technician and Community Health Worker programs and collaboration with the Patricia H. Garman School of Nursing to support Certified Nursing Assistant programming. This position requires a highly motivated and entrepreneurial leader capable of advancing multiple workstreams simultaneously, including curriculum development, regulatory approvals, adjunct faculty recruitment, clinical partnership development, instructional delivery design (including online and simulation-based learning), and program launch. The Director will be expected to lead the development and launch of programs on an accelerated but achievable timeline while ensuring alignment with any applicable New York State Education Department requirements, relevant accreditation standards, and emerging federal Workforce Pell eligibility criteria.

Requirements

Master’s degree healthcare administration, health sciences, workforce development, education, public health, or a closely related field.
Experience in academic or workforce program development, including curriculum design and instructional delivery.
Experience launching or managing short-term credential or certificate programs.
Experience building clinical partnerships and managing experiential learning placements.
Experience recruiting and managing adjunct faculty.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-phase program launches.
Understanding of workforce alignment and employer engagement.
Ability to react calmly and effectively in dynamic situations.
Handle multiple tasks and priorities at once while solving problems and thinking innovatively.
Administrative, organizational, supervisory, and budget-management skills.
Ability to travel with dependable transportation.
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
Extended periods of sitting, standing, stair climbing, maneuvering objects of substantial weight.
Must possess a person-focused philosophy.

Responsibilities

Design and implement workforce-aligned certificate programs integrating didactic instruction, online learning, simulation-based training, and clinical or experiential components where applicable.
Establish program policies, curriculum standards, assessment strategies, and continuous improvement processes.
Design and structure all programs to meet emerging federal Workforce Pell eligibility requirements, including clock hour thresholds, credential alignment, and required student outcomes benchmarks (including minimum 70% completion and 70% job placement rates).
Serve as the primary lead for any NYSED approvals and compliance processes related to workforce and certificate programming.
Identify, pursue, and maintain applicable programmatic accreditations (required and optional).
Ensure ongoing compliance with institutional, state, and federal requirements, including those related to financial aid eligibility and workforce outcomes.
In collaboration with the Institute for Teaching Innovation, design and implement high-quality online and hybrid instructional models.
Partner with the University Simulation Center to develop simulation-based learning experiences aligned with program outcomes.
Ensure instructional quality, consistency, and alignment with industry standards.
Identify, secure, and manage clinical placements and experiential learning opportunities for applicable programs.
Develop and maintain relationships with healthcare providers, workforce partners, and community organizations.
Oversee clinical education processes, including student placement, preceptor engagement, and evaluation.
Recruit, onboard, and support adjunct faculty and clinical instructors across all program areas.
Establish expectations for instructional quality, student engagement, and program outcomes.
Conduct ongoing evaluation and development of instructional staff.
In coordination with University Marketing, develop and implement strategic marketing and recruitment initiatives.
Support admissions processes, applicant evaluation, and enrollment growth strategies.
Represent workforce programs to prospective students, community partners, and external stakeholders.
Collaborate with the Office of Operations to support space planning, lab development, and equipment acquisition.
Ensure operational readiness, including scheduling, instructional delivery systems, and student support infrastructure.
Lead program launch activities and ongoing operational management.
Develop and maintain systems to track and report student completion, job placement, and earnings outcomes across all workforce programs.
Ensure all programs meet and sustain eventual Workforce Pell eligibility benchmarks, including maintaining minimum thresholds of 70% program completion and 70% job placement, as well as alignment with earnings expectations relative to program cost.
Utilize data to inform continuous program improvement, expansion decisions, and alignment with regional and state workforce demand.
Prepare and present program performance data for internal leadership, regulatory review, and external funding opportunities.
Teach in the program (as needed and aligned with expertise) and participate in curriculum review cycles.
Support institutional assessment, accreditation, and reporting processes.
Represent the Center at professional meetings and within workforce development networks.
In coordination with the Office of Sponsored Programs & Research, support grant development and workforce partnership initiatives.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of University priorities.