Full-time Administrative: Executive Director for Workforce Development & Employer Relations

The Executive Director for Workforce Development & Employer Relations reports directly to the President of Lakeland Community College, and provides strategic leadership, coordination, and support to the College and regional business, education, economic development, and public policy partners to create, integrate, and execute workforce development strategies that meet the talent development, workforce training, and human capital management needs of employers in northeast Ohio.

RESPONSIBILITIES (Non-inclusive)

• Engages and collaborates with Lakeland’s executive leadership team, academic deans, faculty, and staff, along with economic development, business and community partners, to identify, integrate, and deploy programs and resources that directly align with regional talent development, workforce training priorities, employment opportunities, and economic growth.

• Champions and supports cross-functional work teams to drive and coordinate campus-wide actions and accountabilities that lead to measurable progress and continuous improvement in Lakeland’s workforce development strategies.

• Cultivates and extends strategic relationships with government, business, industry, education, non-profit and other sector leaders to collectively leverage, prioritize, and synergize workforce development opportunities and assets, and eliminate barriers for successful outcomes.

• Conducts or participates in workforce development research and related studies; advises the Lakeland executive team on emerging trends, opportunities, challenges and risks regarding workforce education, training, economic development, and growth.

• Serves on industry/sector workforce development boards, business advisory committees, trade associations, and related groups to foster college programming including connecting stakeholders to the academic deans and faculty.

• Works with regional business and community partners to identify and deliver non-credit training programs. Share, as appropriate, with academic deans and faculty opportunities for credit pathways.

• Works with trade unions, apprenticeship program sector partners, along with employers, CTE providers, and other regional collaborators to enhance and extend pre-apprenticeship/apprenticeship programs and business partnerships as pipelines to Lakeland for those pursuing value-added credentials, stackable certificates, and associate degrees.

• Works with government, school district, and other community leaders to promote, integrate, and coordinate county-wide workforce initiatives that connect students to area businesses and drive job growth in targeted industries.

• Collaborates with Lakeland’s recruiting, enrollment, employment, marketing, and communication teams to promote workforce training, continuing education for professionals, and education programs for all areas of study at the College. Collaborates with all academic advisory boards in this regard. 

• Partners with the Lakeland team to promote Tech Cred and other state funded models so more students, incumbent workers, and employers are taking advantage of ways that make workforce training more affordable and available to all.
• Helps meet the established Key Performance Indicators metrics with reference to workforce development and community engagement.

• Perform related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience/Training

• A bachelor’s degree is required.
• A master’s degree (or other postgraduate credentials) is preferred.
• Experience working in higher education is preferred.  

 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of current developments and trends in workforce development, including demonstrated awareness of best practices in collaborative partnerships among business, education, government, public, and social service stakeholders leading to positive outcomes and systemic improvements.
• An innovative, energetic, and ethical leader with strong administrative and managerial abilities who has an entrepreneurial approach to designing creative solutions to difficult problems.
• Data- and results-oriented, acts with purpose and speed, and perseveres to successful outcomes.
• Well-developed skills including 1) planning, organizing, and budgeting, 2) supervising, leading, coaching, and team facilitation, 3) communicating verbally and in writing.
• Ability and willingness to 1) work independently, 2) engage others and work effectively with a wide range of internal and external constituents, 3) collaborate within and across departments and divisions to identify and implement creative, sustainable solutions, and 4) multi-task and prioritize work to meet and exceed the needs of constituents.
• Demonstrates accountability for results and a mindset for continuous improvement.
• Experience in strategic planning and the effective execution of strategies.
• Experience with community engagement.
• Knowledge of data-informed practices in workforce development, decision-making techniques, and quality improvement initiatives applicable to educational providers, including K-12 school districts, community colleges, and/or four-year institutions.
• A tolerance for ambiguity.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

1. This is a 12-month, full-time, exempt, non-remote position.
2. The annual salary is within the pay grade 8 range of the administrative and supervisory/professional salary schedule with an anticipated hiring range of $90,000 - $120,000. The position’s salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.  Please note: The final offer for the successful candidate is targeted to fall within this range but will be based upon an assessment of internal equity, the unit's available budget, and the candidate's qualifications in relation to the minimum and/or preferred job requirement(s).
3. The College offers generous benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plus paid time away (sick, personal, vacation, and holiday).

Review of applications for this position will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Apply for this position through the college’s Human Resources website. Please be prepared to do the following:

1. Complete all questions in the application*
2. Attach a current resume and cover letter that summarizes your interest and qualifications for the position.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; however, application review will begin immediately. 

*To avoid difficulties when submitting your application, be sure your web browser (e.g., Google Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer) is updated to the latest version and allow yourself sufficient time to complete the application since you WILL NOT be able to save a partially completed application and work on it later.

Lakeland Community College is an equal access and equal opportunity employer. We have a strong commitment to the principle of diversity and, in that spirit, seek a broad spectrum of candidates including women, minorities, people with disabilities and people over 40. Under-represented groups are encouraged to apply. If your disability requires accommodation to participate in the application/interview process, contact the Human Resources Office at 440-525-7575.