Trades High School Partnership Director

CCS Spokane • Spokane, WA

14h

About The Position

Under administrative direction of the Vice President of Instruction with dotted line reporting to the Vice President of Student Services, the Trades High School Partnership Director will have the opportunity to strengthen and grow Spokane Community College’s (SCC) presence, via leadership of Spokane’s first trades high school on a college campus. The Trades High School will focus on three core pathways: health care, manufacturing, and construction. This position plays a pivotal role as a liaison and relationship builder between SCC and the Spokane Public Schools’ Trades High School, overseeing the dual enrollment academic and operational aspects of the partnership. The Director also plays a critical role in enhancing our college’s effectiveness as a thought leader and partner in our business, industrial, and educational communities. The successful candidate for this position will have K-12, higher education, and/or professional/technical CTE education experience, believe in student success, and can approach this work each day with creative ideas, innovative perspectives, and a positive approach to problem-solving. This leadership position requires a proactive, collaborative individual who will supervise staff, liaise with college administration, student services professionals, and faculty, and serve as the primary point of contact for the high school principal. This Director-level position (AD5) reflects the planning and implementation-focused nature of the initial years of the Trades High School. As full operations are established, the role may be eligible for progression in title and level, subject to performance, successful execution of key milestones, funding, and institutional priorities.

Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited institution. Or an equivalent mix of education and experience that demonstrates the candidate meets all competency requirements for this position.
• Demonstrated success in a K-12, higher education, and/or trades environment.
• Proven ability to build meaningful professional relationships with all levels of individuals within Spokane Colleges and the community (e.g., executives, administrators, faculty, staff, student leadership, students, and community members).
• Demonstrated history of innovation, consistently developing high‑impact initiatives and solutions from the ground up.
• Knowledge of trade industries and professional/technical education.
• Ability to effectively organize multiple work assignments, involving competing priorities, to produce work products that are accurate, of high quality, and meet deadlines in a dynamic educational environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently.

Nice To Haves

• Three or more years of relevant experience.
• Experience with services, activities, and programs focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
• Knowledge of tracking and maintaining budgets.
• Demonstrated project management experience and strong organizational and time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership for all SCC employees regarding Trades High School operations, driving a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and high performance across all instructional and operational areas.
• Lead organizational design and workforce planning efforts that anticipate future industry needs, emerging technologies, and evolving student demographics, ensuring the Trades High School remains a regional and national model for career‑connected learning.
• Establish and enforce performance standards that promote creativity, experimentation, and data‑informed decision‑making. Ensure all personnel receive clear expectations, timely evaluations, and targeted professional development that advances instructional quality and student success.
• Develop and execute multi‑year strategic plans that position the Trades High School as an innovation hub within the college, integrating cutting‑edge instructional models, competency‑based learning, and technology‑enhanced student services.
• Serve as the senior institutional advocate for high school programs, influencing policy, resource allocation, and academic planning at the college‑wide level. Champion new program development, interdisciplinary initiatives, and partnerships that expand access and opportunity for students.
• Partner with Student Services leadership to design and implement innovative, integrated service models that streamline student access to Admissions, Registration, Financial Aid, Advising, and other key functions.
• Champion a culture of belonging, inclusion, and student‑centered service by embedding inclusive practices into hiring, curriculum support, student engagement, and operational decision‑making.
• Lead proactive risk‑management and conflict‑resolution efforts by identifying emerging issues, conducting root‑cause analyses, and implementing system‑level solutions that support program stability and student success.
• Oversee complex, multi‑fund budgets, including forecasting, multi‑year financial planning, and resource optimization. Identify and secure new revenue sources, grants, and partnerships to expand program capacity, innovation, and long-term sustainability.
• Direct the collection, analysis, and interpretation of institutional data to drive continuous improvement and ensure the Trades High School meets or exceeds key performance indicators, including retention, graduation, and placement rates.
• Represent the Trades High School in institutional planning, accreditation processes, and college‑wide initiatives, ensuring the program’s needs and contributions are fully integrated into institutional priorities.
• Model professional decorum and mutual respect in all personal interactions.
• Comply with district policies, procedures and directives, state and federal regulations, orders and statutes and collective bargaining agreements.
• Support and advance Spokane Colleges’ strategic plan and perform other duties as assigned.
• Serve as the senior liaison between the Trades High School, college leadership, and district administration, ensuring seamless coordination on curriculum alignment, program development, and shared strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Trades High School principal and district leaders to design and implement innovative educational models, including competency‑based learning, hybrid and virtual pathways, micro‑credentials, and industry‑aligned certifications.
• Build and maintain transformative partnerships with local businesses, industry leaders, labor organizations, and community agencies to expand experiential learning, apprenticeships, and employment pipelines. Pursue partnerships that introduce emerging technologies and future‑focused workforce sectors.
• Represent the Trades High School at regional workforce boards, advisory committees, community forums, and public events, positioning the school as a regional innovation leader in trades education and workforce development.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive, innovation‑focused community engagement strategy that elevates the visibility and reputation of the Trades High School, strengthens community trust, and expands opportunities for students.
• Represent SCC and the Trades High School at industry‑informed advisory councils that provide insight into emerging workforce trends, technological advancements, and evolving skill requirements, ensuring programs remain relevant and future-ready.
• Foster collaborative initiatives with community organizations, K–12 districts, tribal partners, and workforce agencies to co‑design programs that address regional labor shortages and expand access for historically underserved populations.
• Ensure consistent application of high‑quality teaching and service standards across all student interactions, including in‑person, virtual, and hybrid environments.
• Lead outreach and recruitment initiatives that support enrollment growth, community partnerships, and student success outcomes, including public presentations, campus events, and stakeholder communications.
• Promote innovative student engagement strategies—such as maker‑spaces, industry showcases, student‑led projects, and community-based learning experiences—that strengthen retention, graduation, and placement outcomes.

Benefits

• Medical, dental life and long term disability insurance benefits are provided as currently administered under the Public Employees Benefits Board
• TIAA-Cref retirement plan or WA State Retirement Plan.
• Vacation leave accrues at the rate of 14.67 hours per month (22 days per year) and sick leave accrues at the rate of 8 hours per month, effective upon employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees