Director of Economic and Workforce Development at Jackson College in Jackson, Michigan

Job Description:

Description

POSITION SUMMARYThe Director of Economic and Workforce Development at Jackson College will lead strategic initiatives that foster economic growth and workforce development in the region. This position will build partnerships with local, regional, and national industry stakeholders, collaborate on workforce program development, secure workforce-related and grant funding, and drive initiatives that support the college's strategic agenda. Reporting to the Dean of Workforce, Technical, and Professional Education, this role will work closely with the Director of Workforce Training to ensure alignment and collaboration on training program implementation and employer engagement. The Director will oversee apprenticeship programs, manage grant funding, and actively engage with industry to align programs with market needs

Essential Functions

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership and Strategic Vision:

• Develop and maintain relationships with a broad network of industry partners, government agencies, and economic development organizations to support workforce alignment and increase Jackson College's impact on regional economic growth.


• Cultivate and expand public-private partnerships, leveraging resources and expertise to support large-scale economic initiatives.


• Collaborate with research staff and industry experts to analyze market trends, labor demands, and workforce needs to inform program development.


• Partner with Academic Deans to align college programming with local and regional workforce needs, coordinating outreach efforts and employer engagement strategies to enhance the impact of both roles.


• Promote a work culture that values diversity and demonstrates the delivery of exemplary customer service, innovation, and quality services to employees and the community.

Program Development and Industry Engagement:

• Represent Jackson College in economic development activities, at the national, state, regional, and local level. Ensuring alignment with Jackson College's Mission and the Dean's vision for workforce innovation.


• Develop and lead initiatives to increase interaction with industry and community members, supporting mutual benefits for the College and the local economy.


• Act as a liaison with economic development organizations, including Accelerate Jackson County (formerly the Enterprise Group) supporting the College's role in recruiting new businesses, strengthening existing businesses, and driving workforce readiness.


• Oversee campus activities related to economic and workforce development and engage faculty and staff in developing programs that meet current and emerging market demands.


• Work collaboratively with the Director of Workforce Training to identify emerging industry needs and inform workforce training programs, including non-credit offerings.

Grant and Financial Management:

• Identify, secure and manage federal, state, and workforce-related grants that support workforce development initiatives and align with college goals.


• Assist in developing a growing portfolio of grant funding to drive economic and workforce impacts for the tri-county region.


• Collaborate with the Director of Workforce Training to support grant-funded training programs, sharing resources and data insights that strengthen grant applications and reporting.

Apprenticeship and Workforce Pipeline Development:

• Collaborate with the Apprenticeship Services Coordinator, expanding apprenticeship opportunities that meet industry standards and regional workforce needs.


• Act as a liaison to economic development organizations, using Talent Pipeline Management (TPM) to support the college's role in strengthening the talent pool for local and regional employers.


• Engage faculty in TPM employer collaboratives, encouraging the adoption of relevant competencies, skills training, and experiential learning opportunities in the curriculum.


• Cultivate collaborative communities so that practitioners and/or faculty are deeply engaged in the region's priority and emergent sectors.


• Provide communication between CCE and partner organizations to provide relevant information concerning regional workforce and economic development activities.

Minimum Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.




Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Workforce Development, Economic Development, Business, or related field required; Master's degree preferred.


• Minimum of five years in workforce or economic development, partnership development, grant management, or a related field.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong understanding of economic and workforce development trends.


• Proven experience in building partnerships with diverse stakeholders and securing grants.


• Excellent project management, interpersonal, and communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Familiarity with workforce training and apprenticeship program development.


• Experience in a higher education setting, particularly with a community college focus.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.



Mathematical Skills

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra, geometry, and statistics.





Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Detail driven. Comfort with varied clientele, pressure, and change.



Physical 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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb stairs; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.


WORK ENVIRONMENTThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually quite varies, and is often quiet.


"This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required and shall not be construed as declaring the specific duties and responsibilities. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his or her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty."


Supplemental Information

Jackson College only accepts on-line applications though this system. For assistance with this, please call 517-796-8468.

Please use your legal first and last names on your application. If you are hired you will have the opportunity to identify and utilize your preferred name.

The Jackson College Nepotism policy prohibits hiring of a relative or someone with a familial relationship to work in the same instructional department, office or administrative unit of the College including spouse, child, stepchild, parent, stepparent or sibling of the employee or spouse, aunt, uncle, niece/nephew, grandparent, grandchild, and members of the same household including domestic partner.

It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess (even if you are repeating it from your resume or cover letter). For instance, do not say, "See Resume or C/V." Your resume, cover letter that includes your salary requirements and an unofficial transcript for the degree required must be attached to your application. Applications will be rejected if incomplete. When you apply for the position, you will get to the document upload area where you will be given an opportunity to attach your documents such as your resume/vita, transcripts, etc. Instructions will also be found there.

The College reserves the right to request proof of degree or certification at a later date, if these documents are required as part of the qualifications for the position.

Final candidates will be subject to a criminal background as part of the employment process.

If selected you will be required to complete the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, Employment Eligibility Verification form I-9 and provide documentation verifying identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Jackson College is NOT able to support Visa applications for employment at the college. Applicants must already be eligible to work in the United States to be considered.

Applicants with disabilities may request accommodation to complete the application and interview process. Please notify Human Resources at least three (3) working days prior to the date of need.

A copy of Jackson College's Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report is available on the JC Campus Safety & Security website. The security report contains crime statistics for the previous three years for all of our campus locations and the annual fire safety report, which contains statistics for any reported fires in campus housing units and fire safety systems in these buildings. Additionally, the report contains policies, available resources and information concerning personal safety, fire safety and reporting procedures for both crimes and fires.

Applicants have rights under Federal employment laws. Jackson College is an Equal Opportunity Employer that actively supports workforce diversity.

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