Director of Workforce Solutions

Summary/Purpose

The Director of Workforce Solutions plays a pivotal role in connecting graduates from Summit's training with paid internships and entry-level jobs. This individual is a dynamic leader and experienced workforce development professional who will collaborate and report direct to the VP of Workforce Partnerships and work closely with the Executive Team. This role is designed to build and drive strategic relationships and partnerships to drive volume-based placement. Success in this role is positioning Summit as a leading business solution for employers seeking entry-level talent. The Director of Workforce Solutions is industry-savvy, a relationship-builder, and seeks to achieve efficiency and results in the workforce solutions division - driving broad impact across the organization.

This position is externally focused and will oversee a team of placement specialists. The Placement Specialists are responsible for: (1) industry cold calling; (2) employer research; (3) continuously generating a list of potential entry-level employer partners; (4) working closely with employer partners to understand their hiring and recruitment processes; and (5) conducting job matching, aligning workforce-ready graduates with available opportunities, working closely with the workforce readiness specialists housed in Education and Training. The Placement Specialists will also coordinate and schedule interviews, collaborating with HR representatives from employer partners.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Drive volume placements in targeted industries

• Collaborate with the VP of Workforce Partnerships to develop actionable strategies for securing paid internships and job placements. Set clear, measurable goals for placement volume and success rates.
• Develop and implement partnership strategies. Build compelling pitches that highlight the benefits of hiring graduates from our programs, partnering with the Director of Marketing and Communications.
• Build a robust Placement Specialist team highly skilled in driving outstanding customer-service and identifying graduates ready for placement.
• Conduct thorough research to identify high-demand industries and target companies seeking entry-level talent. Stay informed about industry trends and workforce needs.
• Drive Summit hiring fairs and assess their impact on strategies to cultivate volume placements.
• Oversee the smooth transition of graduates from training to employment, working with Placement Specialists who will directly interface with placed graduates.

Employer communications and relationship management

• Cultivate long-term relationships with employers to foster ongoing collaboration. Regularly check in with employers to assess satisfaction with placements and gather feedback on graduate performance.
• Work closely with employers to understand their specific workforce needs and recommend placement solutions to meet those needs in conjunction with the VP of Workforce Partnerships.
• Partner with the IM&E team to design and administer surveys to collect employer feedback post-placement, using insights to enhance training programs and better prepare future graduates.
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications team, particularly the Employer Relations Specialist, to create compelling reports and materials that showcase Summit as a workforce solution to meet employer demand for entry-level talent. Use case studies, success stories, and testimonials to illustrate the value of Summit's training.
• Attend industry events, conferences, and networking functions to establish connections and promote our workforce initiatives. Use these opportunities to gather insights into employer needs and industry standards.

Data tracking, reporting and ensuring continuous process improvement

• Partner with IT and Impact Measurement & Evaluation (IME) to implement systems to track placement metrics, including the number of internships secured, job placements, employer satisfaction, graduate outcomes and job retention.
• Provide actionable insights and strategic recommendation to address areas for improvement and increase performance-driven results.
• Conduct regular assessments of placement strategies and modify approaches in consultation with the VP of Workforce Partnerships based on data analysis and employer feedback.
• Manage a team to maintain up-to-date comprehensive employer information in the CRM, monitoring and following up on activities to ensure a seamless experience for the Workforce Solutions Division and employer relationship management.
• Collaborate with internal training teams to provide feedback on curriculum based on employer needs and industry demands, ensuring alignment with workforce requirements.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position supervises a team of Placement Specialists housed in the Workforce Solutions division.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment.

Physical Demands

This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets, use keyboarding skills, and bend or stand as necessary.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time, exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This position may require long hours and occasional evening or weekend work.

Travel

Some local travel required. Regional and national travel may be required for professional development

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Communications, Human Resources, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of leadership experience in business development or workforce development.
• Demonstrated experience and success in building and implementing DEI programs and requirements.
• Established experience and relationships in the Twin Cities construction industry.
• Proven track record of successfully establishing employer relationships and driving measurable results.
• Proficient in using CRM software and other tools for tracking and reporting

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Exceptional strategic and organizational skills.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
• Results- and impact oriented.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• Flexibility and adaptability to navigate a dynamic work environment

Other Duties

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

AAP/EEO

It is the policy of Summit Academy OIC to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Summit Academy OIC will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.