Career Pathways Program Director

POSITION TITLE: Career Pathway Program Director
Hiring Range: $95,000-$105,000
REPORTS TO: Executive Director

BACKGROUND on HIRED
Hired is a multi-service workforce development nonprofit working across the Twin Cities and our work advances equity in Minnesota by helping people prepare for and secure good jobs. Hired was founded in 1968 to address inequities in the ability of Twin Cities residents to secure employment. For more than five decades the organization has evolved, responding to changing community needs and staying focused on ending disparities that are rooted in systemic, historic and/or situational inequities. Hired programs begin by building trust and rapport with each individual we serve. Our program staff come to know, understand and care about each person – what matters to them and how they can stabilize, thrive and build wealth.
Hired deliberately works across organizations and sectors to effect systemic change. Our partners include more than 160+ Twin Cities organizations, with whom we share referrals, and 80+ employers whose workforce gaps we help fill. Our programmatic approach and increasingly our partnerships are built explicitly to better serve BIPOC communities, as well as to propose policy changes, participate in regional coalitions, and more. Program innovation and creativity, excellent program execution, program assessment and evaluation, and equitable and inclusive practices are all central to how we work at Hired.
Hire’s mission is to nurture purpose and advance economic opportunity for all through individualized employment and career services. Our vision is one of empowered people and families, a prepared workforce, and an inclusive economy. Our values are:
• Putting People First
• Going the Extra Mile
• Advancing Equity
• Working Together

 
In addition to competitive salaries, Hired offers work/life balance supported by a hybrid schedule and a generous paid time off program that includes 3 weeks’ vacation, 2 weeks personal & health, 3 floating holidays and 12 observed holidays. Other benefit offerings include Health Benefits that include free virtual and home health visits and 500 + free medical prescriptions for enrolled employee and household members, dental, Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA); Employer Paid Short- & Long-Term Disability Insurance, Employer Paid Life Insurance; 401(K) Retirement Plan with Employer Contribution; Voluntary Life, Vision, Legal Insurance, and employee referral program.

HIRED is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender identity, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Hired is an LGBTQIA2S+ friendly employer.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
This position is a member of Hired’s Senior Leadership team and is responsible for strategic, visionary, and all aspects of operational leadership of Hired’s Career Pathway work. The Career Pathway Director is responsible for developing and overseeing integrated education and training programs that provide clear pathways to high-demand careers, and leads three direct reports, with an indirect team of 10 and a financial portfolio of approximately $2 million.
Hired is dedicated to helping people access upwardly mobile career paths and we are seeking a leader to spearhead this work. The ideal candidate will bring an entrepreneurial mindset and human-centered approach to designing equitable on-ramps to prosperity. They will also possess a commitment to high quality program execution and evaluation, program innovation, a collaborative spirit and joy for this work, as well as a commitment to Hired’s mission, vision and values.
Your Role:
• Reimagine Career Pathways as a catalyst for economic mobility
• Embed a racial equity and social justice lens into all pathway development
• Reimagine traditional education/training silos through integrated service delivery models
• Engage employers growing economic inclusion and nurturing organizational cultures of belonging
• Utilize human-centered design to co-create pathways customized to unique learner needs
• Facilitate empowering learning experiences grounded in career navigation and support services
• Engage government and community leaders collaboratively on issues of policy and practice to improve outcomes for marginalized communities
• Navigate complex policy and budgetary environments effectively
• Cultivate an organizational culture centered on dignity, equity, inclusion and continuous learning
• Navigate across/between projects and multiple budgets balancing participant-centric design while ensuring compliance with funding regulations
Required Mindset:
• Passionate advocate for equitable access and inclusion principles
• Creative thinker to navigate and change systemic barriers and conventional approaches
• Adaptive and creative approaches to program design and development
• Entrepreneurial spirit driving innovation, vision and iterative program design
• Commitment to elevating underrepresented voices
• Cultural humility and ability to build trust across diverse communities
• Skilled systems-level thinker and changemaker capable of collective impact
• Creative and enthusiastic problem-solver
• Positively engage key partners on philosophical, regulatory and programmatic aspects of policy that impacts opportunities for our constituents
Qualifications:
• 7+ years’ experience leading education/workforce development initiatives
• In-depth knowledge of Career Pathways model and integrated education approaches
• Expertise blending technology, contextualized learning, and culturally-responsive approaches
• Excellent partnership building, communication and grant writing skills
• Budget management and resource cultivation abilities, including proposal development experience
• Advanced degree in education, social work, nonprofit management or related field
In addition to the Essential Functions, Skills and Abilities, Core Competencies and Other Expectations listed below, qualified candidates will:
• Build a diverse team, create professional development opportunities, and embrace a culture grounded in mutual respect that reflects our organizational values
• Inspire, lead, care for and supervise a mobile and decentralized team
• Value people, equity, inclusion, collaboration and an ability to celebrate diversity in all its forms
• Create approaches that embrace participant voice, employer involvement, labor market data, and effective practices in program design
• Demonstrate experience in overseeing program compliance and data management systems as well as supporting the team to use data to inform program design and approaches
• Build strong working relationships with funders and be knowledgeable of public and private funding sources
• Work collaboratively with other programs within Hired to integrate program activities and elevate learnings in pursuit of community service excellence.
The Career Pathway Director will be a driving force in developing robust education and training programs that open access to life-changing, short-term career pathway trainings across the Twin Cities.
Essential Functions

Program Development and Management:
• Conduct labor market research to identify in-demand occupations and associated skills needs
• Design career pathway programs that combine employability and sector specific training
• Align curriculum and credentials with job requirements and industry standards
• Integrate basic skills instruction and appropriate academic and technical learning outcomes
• Develop rigorous curricula using instructional best practices
• Use technology, digital platforms and tools in effective program design and service delivery
• Cultivate relationships with employers, industry associations, and workforce boards
• Facilitate employer engagement to guide program development and ensure programs meet workforce needs
• Support employers to realize their role in economic inclusion and build cultures of belonging
• Coordinate scheduling, facilities, equipment, and instructional resources
• Recruit and enroll students through outreach and partnerships
• Monitor student progress, retention, and completion metrics
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and guidelines
• Establish contractual instruction with colleges for accredited coursework and credentials
• Manage program budgets and allocate resources effectively
• Monitor program performance and make adjustments as needed to improve outcomes
• Identify opportunities to improve Hired’s approach to recruitment, job placement and job retention services
• Represent Hired’s Career Pathway program in meetings with stakeholders and other agencies
• Recruit, hire, and train program management staff; manage personnel issues in partnership with HR in accordance with corporate policy and labor laws
• Supervise Career Pathway staff, including work allocation, employee training and development, problem resolution, and performance evaluation of staff
• Develop and monitor staff infrastructure to ensure maximum effectiveness and efficiency
Program Innovation & Data Analysis/Evaluation:
• Data analysis skills and proficiency with data management software
• Analyze program data to evaluate effectiveness and identify areas for improvement
• Prepare reports on program performance, expenditures, outcomes for Hired and stakeholders
• Assist team in using data to inform program design and approaches
• Participate in the development and implementation of methods to evaluate and include participant and stakeholder voice in service delivery
• Evaluate, develop, and implement methods to improve participant-centric service delivery
Administrative and Financial Leadership:
• Manage program budgets for city, county, state, federal, and philanthropic funding. Includes budget development, braiding resources, quarterly projections, expenditure oversight, reporting, amendments, modifications, and staff allocations.
• In partnership with the Executive Director and the Advancement team, lead program concept development and positioning for new or existing projects
• In partnership with the Executive Director and the Advancement team, develop and deliver presentations and/or marketing materials to stakeholders
• Monitor and report on grant deliverables and budgets
• Work closely with key partners to leverage funding and develop strategies for program enhancement
• Develop and manage relationships with multiple stakeholders including funders, partners, employers, and policy makers
• Provide program/project oversight and ensure high quality outcomes and compliance with funder requirements, including monitoring visits
• Inform Executive Director of critical issues that impact programming and/or the organization
• Participate in organizational or programmatic strategic planning and implementation
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
1. Strong written and oral communication skills applicable to internal and external audiences, including electronic communications
2. Results-driven with a commitment to continuous improvement
3. Experience working with culturally, ethnically, and socio-economically diverse populations
4. Ability to work effectively with others to meet organizational goals
5. Ability to be flexible and work well under pressure in a fast-paced, multi-tasking, team environment.
6. Skill in active listening, problem solving and persuasion
7. Efficient organizational and planning skills
8. Effective time management and ability to prioritize work
9. Ability and willingness to respond constructively to rapid change
10. Ability to lead by example and to mentor and guide others
11. Computer proficiency (including O365 - Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams - and databases) and effective use of technology, digital platforms and tools in program design and management
OTHER EXPECTATIONS
• Understand and support Hired’s mission, vision and values
• Adhere to Hired’s standard of conduct and policies as stated in the Employee Handbook
• Maintain a strong work ethic that ensures honesty, conscientiousness and dependability
• Assist, mentor and cooperate with others to encourage professional development
• Adapt and adjust to work environment of change, uncertainty and ambiguity
• Participate in Hired internal and external activities, trainings, and groups in addition to essential job functions
• Carry out all job responsibilities in the spirit of diversity, equity and inclusion