Workforce Development Director

Position Summary

The Workforce Development Director provides strategic leadership, vision, and operational oversight for workforce programs that deliver high-quality, outcome-driven services to the community. This role ensures programs are impactful, efficient, and aligned with organizational goals and the needs of individuals facing barriers to employment.

This leader is both strategic and hands-on—capable of building programs from the ground up, leading through change, and inspiring teams to achieve meaningful results.

The Workforce Development Director champions innovation, collaboration, and accountability while advancing the organization’s mission of transforming lives through the power of work.

Strategic Leadership & Program Development

• Set the vision for mission-driven goals and establish systems to translate strategy into measurable action.

• Allocate resources effectively to achieve program outcomes and organizational priorities.

• Ensure foundational infrastructure, including data systems, tools, policies, procedures, resources, and personnel—supports program success.

• Lead the department through strategic change initiatives to enhance impact and sustainability.

• Maintain expertise in workforce development trends and labor market dynamics; adjust programs to meet emerging needs.

• Leads with curiosity by staying informed on emerging technologies and artificial intelligence advancements. Evaluates and integrates appropriate innovations to drive efficiency, enhance performance, and support organizational strategy and outcomes.

Program Performance & Operational Excellence

• Establish, monitor, and manage performance expectations and outcomes across workforce programs.

• Ensure program goals are tracked, analyzed, and consistently met or exceeded.

• Align departmental activities with overall organizational progress and outcomes.

• Develop, monitor, and analyze budgets and financial performance for all assigned programs.

• Ensure compliance with CARF accreditation standards and all organizational policies and procedures.

People Leadership & Culture

• Recruit, assess, hire, and supervise departmental leadership staff.

• Cultivate a high-performing, engaged team through coaching, mentoring, and leadership development.

• Implement employee engagement strategies including professional development, feedback, recognition, and team-building initiatives.

• Promote a values-driven culture that is inclusive, welcoming, and committed to diversity, equity, and belonging.

Partnerships & Community Impact

• Build and sustain strategic partnerships with businesses, government agencies, community organizations, and economic development entities.

• Lead outreach and marketing strategies to drive visibility, enrollment, and growth of workforce programs.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with other departments to achieve organizational goals—both financial and mission-based outcomes.

Master's degree preferred and bachelor’s degree required.  Minimum five years management experience that includes significant supervision, financial management, and community relations. Must have strong interpersonal skills with a demonstrated passion for community service.  

PHYSICAL/EMOTIONAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to use hands to handle or feel and regularly sit and reach with hands and arms.
2. The employee must occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, stand, walk, talk, or hear and perform computer operation.
3. Specific vision abilities required. 

As necessary the ability to meet short deadlines and self-manage stressful work environments. 

ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES:

All employees are required to uphold the values of Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids (GIGGR) Integrity, Stewardship, Innovation, Excellence, and Respect. All employees are required to comply with the policies, procedures, and safety program of GIGGR. All employees are required to uphold standards for GIGGR accreditation, including through Goodwill Industries International and CARF. Employees are required to follow all state and federal laws and regulations, including but not limited to those related to recipient rights, confidentiality, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).