Executive Director of Workforce Development & Innovation

Texas A&M University System • Kingsville, TX

1d

About The Position

The Executive Director of Workforce Development & Innovation provides strategic leadership and day-to-day oversight of workforce initiatives at Texas A&M University–Kingsville, ensuring programs are aligned with regional labor market needs and institutional priorities. This role is responsible for supervising staff, guiding the development and implementation of workforce training programs, and establishing structured pathways that connect high school career exploration to industry-recognized credentials, workforce certifications, and applied degree programs. The Executive Director works collaboratively with school districts, early college high schools, academic colleges, faculty, and employers to align curriculum, expand credit for prior learning opportunities, and integrate noncredit training with academic offerings. Additionally, the position leads employer engagement efforts, supports competency-based curriculum design, manages multiple program initiatives through effective project management systems, and uses data and stakeholder feedback to drive continuous improvement. The Executive Director may represent the university in regional and statewide partnerships and will contribute to advancing innovative workforce strategies that enhance student success and regional economic development.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in education, business, workforce development, or a related field
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in workforce, public education, adult education, or related fields.

Nice To Haves

• Doctoral degree preferred
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in K-12 and/or higher education
• Demonstrated experience in program development, including designing or scaling training programs aligned with labor-market demand.
• Strong understanding of higher education structures, curriculum processes, and the integration of noncredit training with academic programs.
• Experience implementing or supporting pathway frameworks or micro credential integration efforts
• Proven ability to manage complex projects, multi-stakeholder initiatives, and cross-functional teams.
• Exceptional communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency with data systems, learning management systems, and project management tools.

Responsibilities

• Supervise professional staff supporting program outcomes, data reporting, evaluation, employer outreach, recruiting, and student support services.
• Provide strategic leadership for the implementation and evaluation of new workforce training programs aligned with employer demand and university academic pathways.
• Lead regional alignment of high school career pathways with workforce training and applied degree programs.
• Collaborate with school districts, early college high schools, and dual credit partners to coordinate development of articulated pathways from secondary education into industry-recognized credentials and university programs.
• Partner with academic colleges and faculty to ensure alignment between noncredit training, micro credentials, and undergraduate academic programs.
• Strengthen employer engagement through advisory committees, regional partnerships, and co-designed work-based learning models.
• Represent TAMUK in regional, statewide, and national workforce and higher-education collaborations.
• Implement project management systems to track timelines, deliverables, budgets, and outcomes for multiple program initiatives.
• Lead institutional efforts to implement and scale a comprehensive CPL framework, ensuring short-term training is articulable, portable, and degree applicable.
• Support continuous improvement by using labor-market intelligence, student performance data, and employer feedback to refine programs.
• Perform additional duties aligned with advancing workforce innovation and institutional priorities.

Benefits

• Medical $0 - $30 per month for Employee Only coverage after university contribution ($920 value). Up to 83% of premium covered by the university: Employee and Spouse Employee and Children Employee and Family coverage
• Dental & Vision
• Life Insurance, Accidental D&D, Long Term Disability, Flexible Spending Account and Day Care Spending Account
• On-Campus Wellness Opportunities
• Work Life Solutions: Counseling, Work Life Assistance, Financial Resources, and Legal Resources
• Tuition Benefits: Employee Tuition Assistance Program Book scholarships
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Retirement: Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) or Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), dependent on position Voluntary Tax Deferred Account/Deferred Compensation Plan
• Employee Leave: 8+ hours of vacation per month 8 hours of sick leave per month 8 hours of paid Birthday leave 12-15 paid holidays per year

What This Job Offers

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