Workforce Development Director - Statewide Promotional

the South Dakota State Government•Statewide, SD

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

This is a promotional announcement limited to permanent employees of the State of South Dakota. South Dakota is building the future of its workforce and we are looking for a leader to shape it with us. As the Director of Workforce Development, you will lead statewide strategic efforts to strengthen our workforce ecosystem, align talent pipelines with emerging labor market needs, and drive South Dakota's long-term economic vitality. Your day-to-day will be a mix of strategic planning, collaborative problem-solving, inter-agency partnership building, and hands-on administrative guidance to workforce services supervisors, ensuring federal and state compliance. By overseeing the design, implementation, and evaluation of key state initiatives and federal grants, you will bridge the gap between employers and job seekers, ensuring our workforce strategies support the needs in our state. The Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR) strives to promote economic opportunity and financial security for individuals and businesses. The Workforce Development Division develops innovative workforce solutions that allow for the implementation of federal workforce programs and state initiatives while meeting the workforce needs of job seekers and businesses. The Division is responsible for establishing workforce policy and providing technical assistance for program implementation and evaluating opportunities for program improvement. The Division operates under guidance from the South Dakota Workforce Development Council (WDC) and in collaboration with partner agencies, the efforts of the Division will guide individuals to sustainable career paths, build a skilled workforce, and strengthen the State's economy. The Workforce Development Division is seeking a leader to remotely oversee personnel responsible for the oversight of federal and state grants and agreements with various partners. These include, but are not limited to: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth programs and Title II Adult Education and Literacy, Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment Grants, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training, Jobs for Veterans Services Grant, Foreign Labor Certification, Work Opportunity Tax Credit, Registered Apprenticeships, other competitive grants as they arise, and more. Related to this role includes developing partnerships throughout the workforce system, creating and maintaining policy and guidance in compliance with grant requirements, ensuring program delivery is cohesive between programs, and fiscal expenditures are in compliance with grant guidance. This position will hold partnership meetings, develop the state's workforce plan, perform oversight of the certification of One Stop Centers or Job Service Offices, and monitoring of the One Stop Operator.

Requirements

Experience in interpreting federal guidance, grant oversight, establishing policy and procedures, managing a team and leading others.
Knowledge of: labor market data, trends, and economic analysis; workforce development best practices and policy framework; education and training systems, including K 12, postsecondary, apprenticeships, and industry-based training; employer needs across sectors and occupations; state and federal workforce legislation, funding streams, and compliance requirements; community development, talent retention, and regional economic priorities; federal grant writing and management; federal workforce legislation and programs; principles of organizational management and public administration; team and relationship building strategies.
Skill to: strategic planning and long-range workforce forecasting.
program development and management.
stakeholder engagement and partnership cultivation.
leadership, team management, and cross agency coordination.
budgeting, resource allocation, and grant administration.
communication, public speaking, and relationship building.
problem solving and decision making in complex systems.
strategic planning, program development, and project management within a government or public sector environment.
effective cross-agency communication, negotiation, and relationship building.
leadership and mentoring to effectively guide workforce services supervisors and teams.
analyzing state and federal policies to implement effective strategies.
foster and develop a cohesive, collaborative team.
ask questions to gain understanding.
make sound decisions with limited information.
facilitate meetings to encourage communication and understanding.
Ability to: align workforce initiatives with state economic goals; translate data into actionable strategies and programs; convene diverse partners and facilitate meaningful collaboration; design, evaluate, and improve programs based on outcomes and stakeholder feedback; effectively represent the state in workforce related meetings, committees, and public forums; anticipate emerging workforce challenges and proactively develop solutions; navigate and leverage state and federal government structures to advance workforce development goals; communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including educators, government officials, employers, and the public; oversee complex budgets, compliance protocols, and programmatic audits; adapt to changing legislative landscapes and proactively adjust workforce strategies; apply change management strategies that foster buy-in and inspire action; professionally represent the agency.

Nice To Haves

Gold National Career Readiness Certificate preferred.

Responsibilities

Direct the development, implementation, and promotion of federal workforce grants and state workforce initiatives to align with the needs in South Dakota.
Align service models with partner agencies to create wholistic services for customers.
Implement processes that strive for continuous improvement and are flexible to meet workforce demands in the state.
Represent the division's work on the agency's Executive Team and represent the agency and state with federal agencies.
Ensure strict adherence to federal and state compliance requirements for workforce programs.
Oversee funding mechanisms and procedures to ensure fiscal responsibility and align financial resources with strategic workforce goals meeting the needs of the individual grants and the overarching workforce needs of the state.
Partner with businesses, other state agencies, community-based organizations, and more to share data, align services that can create greater impact, and offer cost-savings for the state.
Provide high-level administrative guidance and support to workforce services supervisors across the state.