Executive Director of On Ramp (Grant-Funded)

Mohawk Valley Community College•Utica, NY

31d•Onsite

About The Position

Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) is seeking an Executive Director of On Ramp for its Center for Corporate and Community Education. This is a grant-funded, full-time, 12-month position. The Executive Director will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the On Ramp initiative, which focuses on advanced manufacturing non-credit programming, workforce pathway development, and building employer and community partnerships. The role involves establishing strategic direction, managing grant-funded resources, supervising staff, and ensuring student-centered programming that supports career pathways and lifelong learning, aligning with MVCC's mission of fostering equitable access to workforce development and community engagement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership or program management experience
Experience supervising professional staff and leading cross-functional teams
Experience administering budgets, grants, or externally funded initiatives
Demonstrated experience developing strategic partnerships with employers, boards, and community organizations
Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills
Ability to exercise independent judgment and strategic decision-making
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree
Experience in workforce development, higher education, economic development, or community-based programming
Experience in advanced manufacturing, technical education, or employer-driven non-credit programming
Experience working with governing boards, advisory boards, or councils
Experience leading large-scale grant-funded initiatives
Experience with SUNY, state, or federally funded workforce programming

Responsibilities

Provides strategic leadership for the On Ramp initiative, establishing long-term priorities, policy direction, and growth strategies in collaboration with the governing board, Executive Dean, and institutional leadership.
Leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of On Ramp programs and workforce pathway services.
Supervises, mentors, and evaluates On Ramp staff, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
Oversees day-to-day operations, including program delivery, resource allocation, administration of the operating budget and grant-funded resources, expenditure monitoring, and compliance with grant requirements, institutional procedures, and board review expectations.
Develops and maintains strategic partnerships with community organizations, employers, and training providers to align non-credit curriculum with workforce skill needs, strengthen placement pathways, and support regional talent pipeline development.
Cultivates partnerships with community organizations and support service providers to coordinate student referrals, case management, wraparound supports, and barrier-reduction strategies that improve participant persistence and completion.
Monitors program outcomes, workforce placement data, and student success measures; assesses effectiveness, and reports results to the governing board, Executive Dean of Community and Workforce Development, and other stakeholders.
Promotes equitable access to On Ramp services by ensuring inclusive outreach, student-centered support, and accessible workforce development for diverse populations.
Represents On Ramp and MVCC in employer meetings, community forums, grant-related meetings, town halls, and stakeholder meetings.
Leads strategic planning and innovation for On Ramp, aligning with MVCC priorities.
Leads professional development opportunities for On Ramp staff to ensure high-quality service delivery and alignment with workforce development goals.
Implements continuous quality improvement strategies based on program outcomes, employer feedback, student needs, and workforce trends to strengthen On Ramp services and long-term program effectiveness.
Performs other related duties as assigned by the Executive Dean of Community and Workforce Development.