Position Summary
The Director of Workforce Innovation will lead and enhance Godman Guild’s efforts to design, implement, and scale workforce development strategies that drive economic mobility for underserved populations in Central Ohio. This dynamic leadership role combines program design, data-driven evaluation, and cross-sector collaboration to strengthen and innovate our workforce and adult education services. The Director will oversee key workforce development initiatives, strategic partnerships, and specialized training programs—ensuring that services align with the needs of jobseekers, adult learners, and employers. In addition, this position will provide direct leadership to the education and training team, including English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), High School Equivalency (HSE), and workforce readiness programs, and will work in close partnership with shared service teams such as Client Success, Enrollment, and Data & Compliance to ensure seamless participant pathways and consistent data practices. This position reports directly to the Chief Program Officer and serves as a key member of the Programs leadership structure.
Essential Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Program Innovation
- Provide direct supervision to the Workforce Innovation instructional and program team (including ESOL, HSE, career advancement/work readiness instructors, and related program staff), ensuring program effectiveness and participant success, and aligning curricula with career pathways and workforce goals.
- Integrate employment, adult education, training services, and wrap-around support to create cohesive, effective workforce solutions.
- Conduct labor market analysis to guide workforce programs and respond to employer needs.
- Monitor workforce and community trends to ensure programs remain responsive to evolving employer and industry needs.
- Align workforce innovation efforts with Godman Guild organizational goals, funder priorities, and strategic plan milestones.
- Lead ongoing staff training and professional development strategy in workforce and career readiness trends for targeted audiences.
- Serve as an active member of the agency Senior Leadership Team and Program Leadership Team.
Program Oversight & Team Management
- Provide direct supervision to the education and training team (ESOL, HSE, workforce programs), ensuring program effectiveness and participant success, and align curricula with career pathways and workforce goals.
- Foster a culture of excellence, accountability, and innovation within the workforce development team.
- Oversee career navigation, job coaching, and barrier-reduction services that connect participants to employment, training, and credential pathways.
- Oversee program evaluation, ensuring initiatives are evidence-based, outcomes-driven, and aligned with organizational goals.
- Manage and oversee Digital Skills Hub training programs that prepare participants for today’s digital workplace.
Ensure youth and young adult workforce programming is strategically aligned with adult workforce training, creating coherent “kindergarten-to-career” pathways in collaboration with the Director of Youth Programs and related program managers.
Partnership Development & Collaboration
- Work in close partnership with the Business Solutions Manager to cultivate and manage relationships with employers, industry partners, educational institutions, and community organizations, ensuring that employer engagement activities are integrated across adult and youth workforce programs.
- Coordinate with Client Success and Enrollment to ensure that employer and partner feedback is reflected in recruitment, intake, and retention strategies.
- Represent the agency in workforce development coalitions, advisory boards, and cross-sector initiatives that strengthen community impact.
- Develop new partnerships to enhance career pathways and expand participant opportunities.
- Identify and ensure organizational connections to essential support solutions for adult learners (i.e., transportation, technology, and childcare).
Data, Evaluation & Reporting
- Utilize data and performance metrics to evaluate program effectiveness, inform decision-making, and support continuous improvement.
- Analyze data to assess participant progress, job placements, credential attainment, and retention rates.
- Prepare reports for funders, partners, and leadership to demonstrate program outcomes and community impact.
Funding, Compliance & Reporting
- Assist in identifying and pursuing new funding opportunities, including grants, fee-for-service contracts, and employer-sponsored initiatives.
- Partner with the Chief Program Officer and development staff to support grant writing and reporting related to workforce and adult education initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations related to workforce programs.
- Support budget development and track expenditures in collaboration with finance staff.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in education, workforce development, nonprofit management, or a related field; master’s degree preferred.
- At least 3 years of experience in workforce development, program management, or a related field, preferably within a nonprofit or public sector setting.
- Demonstrated success in program design, implementation, and evaluation within a workforce or education setting.
- Strong knowledge of workforce systems, employer engagement, and economic mobility strategies.
- Proven ability to build and manage cross-sector partnerships.
- Strong communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Experience managing and developing high-performing teams.
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, and serving diverse populations.
- Intermediate computer proficiency and comfort with technology platforms used for data management and program delivery.
- Some evening, weekend, and non-traditional working hours are required.
Core Values:
- Empathy: We meet people where they are, without judgment.
- Equity: We understand that different people will need different supports to succeed.
- Impact: Our programs empower participants to be the best versions of themselves.
- Readiness: Our organization pivots to meet community needs and our participants are prepared for work.
- Accountability: We hold ourselves to the same high standards as our participants do.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
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.
- Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a desk or computer.
- Occasionally required to stand or move around the office for meetings or other activities.
- Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 20 pounds (e.g., files, office supplies).
- Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, writing, and handling office equipment (e.g., keyboards, mice, phones).
- Ability to view and read computer screens, printed documents, and other visual materials for extended periods.
- Occasionally required to bend, stoop, or reach for office supplies or equipment.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. They may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Pay: $60,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Columbus, OH 43215
