Workforce Development Manager

The Minnesota Association of Community Health Centers (MNACHC) is a non-profit membership association representing the state’s Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). FQHCs are non-profit, community-based primary health care providers serving urban and rural Medically Underserved Areas/Populations throughout Minnesota. Minnesota’s FQHCs provide medical, dental, and mental health services to over 180,000 low-income, culturally diverse patients.

Our Values - MNACHC continues the promise of the community health center mission that was born out of the civil rights movement of the 1960s. We strive for a health care system where power and decision-making are equitable, reflect our communities’ needs, and people’s dignity and voices are respected.

JOB SUMMARY

The Workforce Development Manager leads initiatives that strengthen, expand, and elevate the workforce at Minnesota's Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Part visionary strategist and part hands-on "do-er," this role actively partners with health center leaders to ensure that FQHCs are "Employers of Choice."

The Manager delivers direct support and peer resources to FQHC Human Resource (HR) teams, leads targeted workforce programs—including MNACHC's flagship Medical Assistant (MA) and Dental Assistant (DA) Apprenticeship Programs—and responds dynamically to evolving regulatory changes.

Core Candidate Attributes:

• Visionary & "Do-Er": Ability to craft long-term strategy while rolling up their sleeves to execute day-to-day program details.


• Continuous Learner: Highly curious, self-motivated, and eager to master new topics and operational areas.


• Regulatory Agility: Nimble in tracking and adapting programs to state/federal policy shifts and healthcare compliance updates.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. FQHC Workforce Strategy & HR Support ("Employer of Choice")

• Lead the development and implementation of workforce initiatives that strengthen the recruitment, retention, and career advancement of Minnesota's FQHC workforce.


• Provide direct, strategic, and peer-level support to FQHC HR staff, delivering toolkits, best practices, and collaborative spaces to strengthen organizational culture and employee retention.


• Develop and execute strategies that help Minnesota FQHCs position themselves as regional "Employers of Choice."


• Collaborate with FQHC leaders to assess emerging labor trends and design innovative, data-informed workforce solutions.


• Monitor state/federal health policies, labor regulations, and scope-of-practice changes, proactively adapting workforce models to maintain compliance and competitiveness.

2. MA/DA Apprenticeship & Program Leadership

• Lead, manage, and scale MNACHC’s MA (Medical Assistant) and DA (Dental Assistant) Apprenticeship Programs, overseeing recruitment, clinical partner sites, curriculum alignment, participant success, and program compliance.


• Plan, implement, and oversee broader workforce programs supporting healthcare career awareness, pipeline development, and professional growth.


• Manage project timelines, grant deliverables, program budgets, and compliance reporting across all workforce initiatives.


• Evaluate program effectiveness using quantitative metrics and qualitative stakeholder feedback to drive continuous improvement.

3. Partnership Development & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with FQHC leadership, educational institutions, workforce boards, federal and state government agencies, and community organizations.


• Convene stakeholders and peer networks (such as FQHC HR roundtables) to foster collaboration, share promising practices, and address workforce shortages collectively.


• Identify and cultivate new partnerships that create career pathways into community health center careers.


• Represent MNACHC at statewide, regional, and national workforce committees, conferences, and policy forums.

4. Grant Management, Data & Continuous Improvement

• Support grant writing, program design, budget tracking, and funder reporting for workforce development grants.


• Collect, analyze, and present labor market data and workforce outcomes to inform leadership, funders, and legislative advocacy.


• Identify strategic funding opportunities and state/federal investments to expand MNACHC's workforce pipeline impact.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration, Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent professional experience), plus 3 to 5 years of progressive experience in workforce development, HR, employer engagement, or nonprofit program management.


• Strategic & Execution Mindset: Highly self-motivated with a proven track record of acting as both a strategic visionary and hands-on executor ("do-er").


• Adaptability & Learning Agility: Strong eagerness to learn new systems and demonstrated ability to pivot programs in response to regulatory, legal, or industry changes.


• HR & Partnership Focus: Demonstrated experience building multi-stakeholder partnerships and supporting employer talent acquisition/retention strategies.


• Project Management: Strong organizational, multi-tasking, and project management skills in a fast-paced environment.


• Communication: Excellent written, oral, and presentation skills with diverse stakeholders.


• Travel: Ability to travel periodically to FQHC sites across Minnesota and occasional regional/national conferences.


• Tech Proficiency: Proficient with Microsoft Office suite, databases, and online collaboration tools.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Healthcare Administration, or related field.


• Direct experience leading or managing Healthcare Apprenticeship Programs (specifically MA, DA, or registered apprenticeship models).


• Experience working in or directly supporting Human Resources (HR) within FQHC, community health clinic, or safety-net provider.


• Knowledge of workforce development systems, federal grant management, and healthcare labor market trends in Minnesota.

BENEFITS INCLUDE

• Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance options with a Health Savings Account (HSA).


• Flexibility: Hybrid work-from-home model with primary office presence in Saint Paul, MN.


• Time Off: Generous paid time off, holidays, and supported professional development opportunities.