Director of Workforce-Industry Partnerships

The Director of Workforce-Industry Partnerships will be responsible for leading industry-focused workforce development strategies, helping companies grow, while creating career pathways for un-and-under employed Central New Yorkers. The director will lead and oversee the engagement of business and union leaders in target industries. The director will facilitate industry partner participation in shared workforce strategies and programs/initiatives, including Syracuse Surge, the Future Ready Workforce Innovation Consortium, Syracuse Build and ON-RAMP. The director will work with employers to develop enhanced employee attraction, retention and advancement strategies. They will collaborate with fellow staff members to ensure quality program design and implementation between employers and partners. This person will be responsible for working collaboratively with business leaders, training and workforce partners, community-based organizations and local and state government, as well as a wide array of team members within CenterState CEO. This position is part of CenterState CEO’s Inclusive Growth team and reports to the Vice President of Workforce Innovation. The position is full time with benefits.

Status: Exempt/Full-Time

Division/Department: Inclusive Growth

Reports to: Vice President of Workforce Innovation

Start date: ASAP

Salary: $80,000 - $90,000

To apply, send cover letter and resume to: Susan Phillips, director of human resources, at: sphillips@centerstateceo.com

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities (additional duties may be assigned):

  • Convene employers in target industries: (75%).
  • Using the Work Train Framework, engage employers via direct outreach and group discussions to identify industry workforce challenges and develop common solutions.
  • Learn and share best practices and ideas to enhance workforce training, attraction, retention and advancement. Facilitate employer-led strategies, programs and interventions.
  • When new programs are needed, work with team members and partners to ensure that the Work Train Framework process is utilized, specifically related to employer inputs with consideration of best practice.
  • Facilitate and ensure employer engagement within programs (interviews, classroom visits, employer tours, interviewing/hiring on the back end).
  • Ensure consistent alignment between the Workforce Innovation team and CenterState CEO’s Member and Business Experience team.
  • Stay current on best practices and industry trends.
  • Data and evaluation (10%).
  • Coordinate with the Strategy Policy and Planning Team to generate regular labor market data reports to validate strategies.
  • Work with Director of Workforce Innovation, the Strategy Policy and Planning team, and other team members to ensure data effective collection and evaluation goals and methods.
  • With team, convene employers and partners to review/evaluate program performance; drive continuous improvement.
  • Team and organizational support (10%).
  • With VP Workforce Innovation and other team members, develop RFPs and contracts for training and services within industry partnership programs; manage partners’ performance.
  • As needed, support the Inclusive Growth Team and CenterState CEO grants office and foundations in developing funding proposals, financial and donor reports.
  • As needed, collaborate with colleagues to prepare meetings and presentations and documents on strategic workforce topics.
  • As needed, contribute to internal and external communications on topics germane to the director’s work.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidates must demonstrate:

  • A commitment to the mission of CenterState CEO and the values of Inclusive Growth.
  • Experience in the field of workforce development and/or community development and/or economic development and/or human resources and/or business.
  • A “team-oriented” approach, in which they are motivated by the success of the organization and accomplishments of colleagues.
  • Experience working in/with socioeconomically diverse communities.
  • Excellent conflict resolution and interpersonal skills and ability to build lasting relationships with clients.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, ability communicate transparently. A consensus builder who can move partners to grow.
  • Curiosity especially as it relates to perspectives of others, industry best practices, innovation in technology and group processes.
  • Ability to perform to a high standard while working independently and to communicate effectively and efficiently back to the team.
  • Strong process facilitation experience.
  • Exceptional written and oral communication skills. Ability to write quickly, clearly and persuasively.
  • Comfort with public speaking.
  • Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
  • Comfort with ambiguity and risk as the team is often working to build something new or within changing conditions.

Education and Experience:

  • 7-10 years of experience in workforce development, community development or another relevant field required.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

  • Close mental and visual attention required to perform work, verbal communication, using a computer, and/or extensive reading.
  • General office equipment is used.

Work Environment:

  • There is no exposure to adverse environmental conditions. Work is performed in a typical office work environment with outside travel to client/member/prospect locations.

Disclaimer:

  • All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
  • This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.
  • The company reserves the right to add to or revise an employee's job duties at any time at its sole discretion.

CenterState CEO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CenterState CEO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer without regard to race, creed, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, domestic violence victim status, military status or veteran's status.