Program Manager, Workforce Development

Virginia Tech•Arlington, VA

1d•$96,000 - $125,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) seeks a collaborative, execution-focused Program Manager to advance its workforce development mission. Based at the Virginia Tech Research Center in Arlington, Virginia, this role designs, develops, and executes initiatives connecting students with employers through experiential learning, internships, project-based learning, career preparation, and other work-based learning opportunities. The Program Manager partners with CCI Nodes and workforce initiatives across the CCI network, strengthens industry and government partnerships, and supports strategic workforce initiatives that prepare students for cybersecurity and related technical careers. Reporting to the Director of Outreach, the Program Manager leads execution across a portfolio of simple-to-intermediate projects, managing timelines, budgets, deliverables, and cross-functional coordination. The role tracks engagement and performance metrics, monitors progress toward goals, prepares updates and reports for leadership and stakeholders, and uses outcome data to improve programs and ensure accountability. The position develops workforce initiatives in collaboration with internal leadership and external partners, using student needs, employer demand, labor-market trends, and emerging workforce needs to shape programs and engagement strategies. It cultivates relationships with public- and private-sector partners and serves as a primary point of contact, recruiting and stewarding employers that can offer internships, projects, mentorship, and employment opportunities. The role also supports partner and CCI Node outreach and marketing, and helps identify opportunities to expand program participation and visibility. The position is located at the Virginia Tech Research Center in Arlington, VA. It is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement within commuting distance, with a weekly in-office presence. Occasional travel may be required. This is a 40-hour-per-week, exempt position, not eligible for overtime. The appointment is restricted. Salary is $96,000–$125,000, commensurate with experience. A criminal conviction check is required.

Requirements

Master’s degree with experience in workforce development, program management, education, business, public administration, or a related field; or a bachelor’s degree with demonstrated professional experience in workforce development, program management, or a related field in lieu of the advanced degree.
Knowledge and experience in workforce development principles, practices, and program design, including employer engagement, career pathways, experiential learning, internships, project-based learning, work-based learning, and connecting students or job seekers with employment opportunities.
Experience designing, implementing, or managing workforce development programs that connect students or job seekers with employers and demonstrate measurable internship, employment, or career outcomes.
Experience developing and managing relationships with employers, industry partners, program stakeholders, government agencies, educational institutions, or other workforce stakeholders.
Ability to manage programs and projects from planning through implementation and completion, including timelines, deliverables, budgets, stakeholders, and multiple priorities.
Knowledge of labor-market and industry trends and ability to identify workforce needs and translate them into program strategies and recommendations.
Effective oral and written communication skills, including developing professional communications and presentations for diverse audiences.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain relationships with students, program stakeholders, corporate partners, government agencies, university administrators, faculty, community colleges, and community organizations.
Ability to analyze workforce, labor-market, program participation, employer engagement, and employment outcome data and use findings to establish priorities and inform program development and continuous improvement.
Ability to work independently as a self-starter and contribute effectively to a team in a complex, fast-paced organization.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, tasks, and deadlines simultaneously.
Experience planning or supporting meetings, events, workshops, or other stakeholder engagement activities.
Proficiency with office suite tools, including word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations.

Nice To Haves

Experience or education in cybersecurity, information technology, engineering, data science, or another cyber-related or technical field.
Experience developing or managing internships, apprenticeships, project-based learning, employer-sponsored projects, mentorship programs, or other work-based learning initiatives.
Experience developing and implementing career-readiness programs or career pathways for technical or high-demand fields.
Experience establishing employer partnerships that result in internships, experiential learning, projects, mentorship, interviews, or employment for students or job seekers.
Experience working in an academic environment, particularly with faculty, students, career services, or academic leadership.
Experience working across government, industry, academia, economic development organizations, or venture capital.
Networking skills, including experience developing strategic partnerships and negotiating business-to-business agreements or contracts.
Experience establishing new business relationships and securing external funding or sponsorships for workforce or education programs.
Experience with grant management, proposal development, or other public- or private-sector funding mechanisms.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and execute workforce development initiatives connecting students with employers through experiential learning, internships, project-based learning, career preparation, and other work-based learning.
Partner with CCI Nodes and workforce development initiatives across the CCI network.
Lead program execution across a portfolio of projects, managing timelines, budgets, deliverables, and cross-functional coordination.
Track engagement and performance metrics, monitor progress against goals, and prepare updates and reports for leadership and stakeholders.
Design and advance workforce programs with internal leadership and external partners, based on student needs, employer demand, labor-market trends, and emerging workforce needs.
Develop engagement strategies and support experiential and applied programming that translates strategic goals into actionable initiatives.
Cultivate and maintain public- and private-sector partner relationships, serving as a primary point of contact for collaboration and communication.
Identify, recruit, and steward employers offering internships, project-based learning, mentorship, industry projects, and employment opportunities.
Support partner outreach, CCI Node outreach, and marketing efforts, and help identify opportunities to expand program participation and visibility.
Develop and maintain systems to measure student, employer, and program outcomes and use results to improve initiatives.
Plan and/or support meetings, events, workshops, and other stakeholder engagement activities.