Job Summary: The Director of Employment Services provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and business development for the organization's Employment Services division. This position is responsible for advancing innovative workforce strategies that expand employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment while driving organizational growth, operational excellence, financial sustainability, regulatory compliance, and measurable participant outcomes. The Director leads the development and continuous improvement of employment programs, employer partnerships, funding strategies, and service delivery models in response to evolving labor market demands, workforce policies, and organizational priorities.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Business Development
- Provide strategic oversight of Employment Services programs and operational practices while promoting continuous improvement that enhances efficiency, participant outcomes, financial sustainability, and responsiveness to changing funding and workforce needs.
- Drive the expansion of Employment Services through employer engagement, community partnerships, new funding sources, and innovative service models.
- Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing evolution of Employment Services service delivery models that respond to participant needs, employer expectations, and evolving funding requirements.
- Develop and implement strategic plans, departmental goals, and performance objectives that align Employment Services with the organization's mission, strategic priorities, and long-term organizational growth.
- Monitor labor market trends, workforce needs, emerging industries, and economic conditions to identify opportunities that strengthen Employment Services and expand employment opportunities.
- Partner with executive leadership to develop and implement strategic initiatives that support organizational growth and long-term sustainability.
Employer & Community Partnerships
- Cultivate strategic partnerships with employers, workforce development organizations, educational institutions, economic development agencies, and community partners to expand employment opportunities and strengthen the department's presence within the regional workforce system.
- Advance employer engagement through customized employment, workforce consultation, disability inclusion initiatives, and long-term business partnerships.
- Represent the organization within workforce development initiatives, community partnerships, and professional organizations to advance Employment Services and promote organizational objectives.
- Foster collaborative relationships with internal departments, funding agencies, referral sources, employers, and community organizations to improve service coordination and reduce barriers to employment.
- Serve as the primary organizational representative for Employment Services with governmental agencies, funding entities, employers, community organizations, and professional associations, advocating for workforce initiatives that advance the organization's mission and strategic priorities.
Operations & Service Delivery
- Strengthen operational systems, staffing strategies, and departmental resources necessary to deliver high-quality career development, employment, retention, employer engagement, and workforce support services.
- Establish standardized policies, procedures, quality assurance practices, and operational expectations that promote consistent, person-centered service delivery.
- Monitor program performance using participant outcomes, employer feedback, operational metrics, and industry best practices to drive continuous improvement.
- Promote cross-functional collaboration across organizational departments to ensure Employment Services is effectively integrated with the agency's broader continuum of supports.
Financial Management & Regulatory Compliance
- Direct departmental budgeting, financial forecasting, and resource allocation strategies that support organizational priorities and long-term financial sustainability.
- Maximize funding opportunities while ensuring effective stewardship of organizational resources.
- Monitor changes in federal, state, and local legislation, reimbursement methodologies, workforce initiatives, and regulatory requirements to proactively adapt departmental operations and service delivery.
- Ensure departmental compliance with all applicable funding requirements, contracts, accreditation standards, regulatory expectations, and organizational policies.
- Strengthen operational systems that support accurate documentation, billing, reporting, data collection, and audit readiness across all Employment Services programs.
Performance, Innovation & Continuous Improvement
- Drive organizational change that strengthens Employment Services through innovation, operational excellence, workforce modernization, and continuous adaptation to evolving industry and funding environments.
- Develop and leverage performance measures, dashboards, and outcome data to measure departmental performance, identify emerging trends, support strategic decision-making, and communicate organizational results.
- Champion innovation by monitoring emerging workforce trends, participant needs, technological advancements, and industry best practices to identify opportunities for program enhancement.
- Lead the implementation of new initiatives, technologies, operational improvements, and evidence-informed practices that strengthen participant outcomes, employer satisfaction, and departmental effectiveness.
- Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, adaptability, and continuous improvement that encourages creative problem-solving and organizational learning.
Leadership & Staff Development
- Recruit, develop, mentor, supervise, and empower leadership and supervisory staff while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, professional growth, and continuous improvement.
- Cultivate leadership excellence by establishing clear performance expectations, leadership competencies, and professional development opportunities that strengthen departmental effectiveness.
- Promote cross-functional collaboration, communication, and knowledge sharing to improve consistency, operational effectiveness, and service integration.
- Champion succession planning initiatives that strengthen leadership capacity and ensure the long-term success of Employment Services.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications & Experience:
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Workforce Development, Rehabilitation Services, Public Administration, Social Work, Education, Organizational Leadership, or a related field. Equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience may be considered.
- Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in workforce development, employment services, vocational rehabilitation, human services, business development, or a related field.
- Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or management experience with responsibility for staff leadership, operational oversight, budgeting, and program performance.
- Demonstrated ability to identify organizational growth opportunities and lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of programs, operational processes, strategic partnerships, and service delivery models that enhance participant outcomes, operational effectiveness, and long-term organizational sustainability.
- Demonstrated experience developing employer partnerships, community collaborations, or business relationships that resulted in expanded services, employment opportunities, or organizational growth.
- Experience managing multiple funding sources, contracts, grants, or reimbursement methodologies while ensuring regulatory compliance and fiscal accountability.
- Valid driver's license and the ability to meet the organization's vehicle insurance requirements.
- Access to reliable transportation for travel throughout the service area.
- Ability to successfully complete all required background checks, drug screening (if applicable), and any additional pre-employment requirements.
- Ability to maintain all certifications, licenses, and training required for the position.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, Workforce Development, Rehabilitation Counseling, Human Services, or a related field.
- Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP), Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), SHRM certification, Project Management Professional (PMP), Lean/Six Sigma, or other relevant professional certification.
- Experience working with Vocational Rehabilitation, Medicaid Waiver programs, Ticket to Work, workforce development systems, or other state and federal employment initiatives.
- Experience securing grants, employer contracts, or alternative funding opportunities that supported organizational growth.
- Experience leading organizational change initiatives, strategic planning efforts, or business development activities.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Knowledge of workforce development principles, labor market trends, disability employment practices, and person-centered service delivery.
- Knowledge of federal and state regulations, funding requirements, reimbursement methodologies, and compliance standards applicable to employment and workforce services.
- Strong strategic planning, organizational development, and business development skills with the ability to identify growth opportunities and implement sustainable solutions.
- Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with employers, workforce development organizations, educational institutions, government agencies, community partners, and internal stakeholders.
- Demonstrated financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, resource allocation, and performance analysis.
- Ability to analyze data, evaluate program performance, and use information to drive operational improvements and strategic decision-making.
- Ability to think strategically while translating organizational vision into operational plans and measurable results.
- Excellent leadership, coaching, and team development skills with the ability to inspire innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Exceptional communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
- Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to effectively utilize electronic health records, customer relationship management systems, reporting platforms, and other business technologies.
