Workforce Development & Education Manager, Infrastructure Sites

OpenAI

1d•$176,000 - $385,000

About The Position

OpenAI is seeking a Workforce Development & Education Manager to build local talent pipelines for data center construction, commissioning, and operations in communities hosting OpenAI infrastructure projects. The role works with infrastructure teams, project partners, education providers, and local Community Engagement Leads to understand workforce needs and help prepare people for these jobs. The manager will build partnerships with community colleges, technical schools, universities, and union apprenticeship programs, and collaborate with educators and technical experts to develop or expand training programs that connect local residents to career opportunities and address local hiring needs. The role also manages program implementation and operations, tracks outcomes, supports funding efforts, and represents OpenAI with local workforce, education, labor, and community partners.

Requirements

Seven or more years of experience in workforce development, technical education, apprenticeship programs, or education–industry partnerships.
Bachelor’s degree in education, instructional design, workforce development, engineering technology, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
Experience developing and delivering technical training programs with employers and education providers.
Experience working with trade unions, apprenticeship programs, and labor leaders.
Ability to work with technical experts to translate job requirements into clear learning objectives and practical training.
Experience managing programs with multiple partners, competing priorities, and defined deadlines.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience working with educators, public officials, labor representatives, and technical leaders.
Experience evaluating program outcomes and using findings to improve delivery.
Experience operating with ambiguity and building successful programs from the ground up, with responsible scalability in mind.

Nice To Haves

Experience in data centers, telecommunications, semiconductor manufacturing, energy, or other industries with substantial technical workforce needs.
Familiarity with training and credentials relevant to data center careers, such as OSHA 30-hour and NFPA 70E safety training, Schneider Electric DCCA, BICSI cabling credentials, CompTIA certifications, and EPA Section 608 certification for refrigerant work.
Experience with workforce funding sources, including Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs, apprenticeship grants, and state workforce or community college grants.
Experience helping local residents enter skilled trades and technical careers through community-based education and training partnerships.

Responsibilities

Partner with the local Community Engagement Lead to build and manage relationships with community colleges, technical schools, universities, career and technical education programs, and local workforce boards.
Work with building trades unions and joint apprenticeship and training committees to expand training opportunities aligned with project needs locally and nationally.
Partner with OpenAI infrastructure teams, developers, contractors, and operators to identify job requirements, skills gaps, and hiring timelines across construction, commissioning, and operations.
Work with educators and technical experts to develop or adapt curricula, hands-on training, and credential programs that reflect employer requirements and offerings available through OpenAI literacy programs.
Support apprenticeships, internships, and other work-based learning opportunities with participating employers.
Manage program implementation, including timelines, partner responsibilities, and progress against agreed goals.
Track participation, completion, credential attainment, job placement, and retention, and work with partners to use results to improve programs.
Partner with the local Community Engagement Lead to identify workforce grants and other funding opportunities, and help education and training partners pursue relevant support.
Represent OpenAI on local workforce advisory councils and in meetings with education, labor, and community partners, in partnership with the Community Engagement Lead.
Manage program operations and administrative tasks needed to run a successful workforce development program within OpenAI data center communities.