Expansion Director

WRTP|BIG STEP • Neenah, WI

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Expansion Director leads, coordinates, and supervises outreach, workforce development, and training activities across Wisconsin, including existing WRTP | BIG STEP locations and new offices supported by grant funding. The position collaborates with business, labor, education, government, building trade councils, and community partners to develop programs that strengthen workforce recruitment, retention, training, advancement, and career pathways.

Reporting to the Chief Operations Officer, the Expansion Director provides operational leadership for grant-funded outreach services and workforce development programs, overseeing staff, instructors, program implementation, community engagement, and industry partnerships. The Director is responsible for meeting contractual performance outcomes and ensuring quality service delivery while expanding the organization’s statewide presence.

The role works throughout Wisconsin in a hybrid environment, with a primary reporting location in the Neenah office and periodic reporting to other WRTP | BIG STEP locations. It requires frequent day travel, reliable transportation and valid automobile insurance; approved overnight travel may also be required. The minimum expectation is 40 hours per week, with evening and weekend flexibility as needed. The position regularly involves interaction with diverse populations, including youth, justice-involved individuals, and people facing barriers to employment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree preferred; relevant advanced education, certifications, or equivalent workforce development experience will be considered.
• Proven experience with Registered Apprenticeship programs, apprenticeship sponsors, Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATCs), labor-management training partnerships, or workforce development systems supporting apprenticeship pathways.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating complex workforce development, educational, training, or community service delivery systems.
• Proven ability to build and maintain industry, labor, employer, and community partnerships.
• Strong project management experience, including planning, leadership, organization, and implementation.
• Experience leading and collaborating within diverse, multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience supervising staff and delivering services to diverse populations.
• Cultural competence and ability to work effectively with people from varying backgrounds and experiences.
• Ability to establish priorities, solve problems, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement and operational efficiency.
• Ability to manage multiple projects while meeting deadlines and performance expectations.
• Knowledge of Registered Apprenticeship systems, including standards, sponsor requirements, recruitment practices, retention strategies, readiness programs, and career pathway development.
• Working knowledge of federal and state apprenticeship regulations and the roles of sponsors, apprenticeship committees, labor organizations, employers, and workforce development partners.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn and use new software systems and databases.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, presentation, relationship-building, and team leadership skills.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict-resolution abilities.
• Demonstrated commitment to workforce development and the WRTP | BIG STEP mission.
• Understanding of employment barriers and effective strategies for supporting participants in achieving career goals.
• Ability to establish rapport and work effectively with diverse, multicultural, and multiracial populations.
• Initiative, resourcefulness, and ability to improve processes and operational effectiveness.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated.
• Must successfully pass a background check.
• Must maintain reliable transportation and valid automobile insurance as required by state law.
• Must be able to regularly sit, stand, walk, use standard office equipment, operate a computer, communicate by telephone, and travel throughout Wisconsin.
• Must be able to occasionally lift and carry materials weighing up to 30 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of workforce development systems and publicly funded workforce programs, including WIOA, FSET, DOL, DWD, and related initiatives.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead outreach and programming teams through active involvement in programs and a thorough understanding of the organization’s mission, programs, partnerships, and service delivery model.
• Ensure outreach and workforce development activities operate consistently, ethically, and in alignment with organizational policies, values, mission, and contractual requirements.
• Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and operational standards for Outreach and Program Managers and Coordinators in the Northern region and statewide expansion locations.
• Strengthen Registered Apprenticeship partnerships with sponsors, employers, labor organizations, training centers, and workforce partners to increase enrollment, completion, and workforce diversity.
• Develop, implement, and manage statewide workforce programming, including apprenticeship readiness training, curriculum delivery, industry-recognized certifications, assessments, and related initiatives.
• Work with Regional Directors and the Data Department to monitor program performance, outcomes, and reporting, ensuring contractual obligations and grant goals are met.
• Analyze workforce and community needs, identify service gaps and expansion opportunities, and develop strategies to increase outreach, recruitment, training, and service delivery throughout Wisconsin.
• Oversee, in partnership with sector staff, the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of classes, training programs, orientations, recruitment activities, and community outreach events.
• Coordinate staff participation in pre-bid and pre-construction meetings, workforce planning sessions, and other project-related activities.
• Work with employers, contractors, developers, owners, labor partners, and industry representatives to identify workforce needs and develop training and talent pipeline solutions.
• Coordinate with partner agencies, recruiters, case managers, educational institutions, and community organizations to support participant recruitment and service delivery.
• Recruit, train, supervise, coach, and evaluate outreach and program staff, including performance evaluations, professional development planning, and ongoing performance management.
• Represent WRTP | BIG STEP publicly with employers, educational institutions, government agencies, labor organizations, workforce partners, and community stakeholders.
• Build and maintain stakeholder relationships that support program growth, community engagement, and strategic expansion.
• Facilitate presentations, meetings, and speaking engagements on behalf of WRTP | BIG STEP.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Follow the WRTP | BIG STEP Code of Conduct, organizational policies and procedures, and funding source requirements; act ethically, professionally, and respectfully; maintain positive working relationships; and support the organization’s mission, vision, values, and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Benefits

• Health insurance; employer pays 85% of the health plan.
• Dental insurance for single or family coverage; 100% employer paid.
• Vision insurance for single or family coverage; 100% employer paid.
• Life insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance; 100% employer paid.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance; 100% employer paid.
• 10 vacation days after 90 days of employment.
• 9 personal days annually after 90 days of employment; first calendar year prorated.
• 14 paid holidays annually.
• Company contribution of 10% of monthly salary to retirement accounts.

What This Job Offers

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