Title: Associate Vice President for Workforce Development
Position Number: 0089183
Location: Manoa Campus
Posting Date: May 28, 2026
Closing Date: Continuous – application review begins 6/15/2026
Salary Information: SM-3, $162,156 to $291,885 annual
(Salary commensurate with qualifications & experience, within budgetary limitations)
Full Time/Part Time: Full Time
Temporary/Permanent: Permanent
Funding: General Funds
INTRODUCTION
The Associate Vice President (AVP) for Workforce Development oversees workforce education as a unified, agile, and industry-aligned ecosystem.
Reporting to the Vice President for Academic Strategy, the AVP will serve as the primary architect for a cohesive workforce strategy across UH’s 10 campuses (seven community colleges and three universities). This leader will bridge the gap between academia and industry, ensuring that UH meets the current labor needs of the State of Hawai‘i.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership
Unify a workforce ecosystem related to credit and non-credit programs, and between 2-year and 4-year campuses, to enhance career pathways (e.g., stackable credentials) that allow learners to move fluidly from short-term training to advanced degrees.
Advance system-wide policy and practices to support the expansion of Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) opportunities, which include awarding credit for college level learning acquired through degree- and non-degree granting institutions, university and college-based continuing education programs, professional and military training, work and life experiences, and other non-collegiate opportunities for learning.
Lead the development and execution of a system-wide "Workforce Master Plan" that aligns with the State’s economic priorities and the University of Hawai’i Strategic Plan (Imperative II: Meet Hawai‘i Workforce Needs).
Audit existing workforce programs across the University of Hawai‘i System to identify redundancies, scale successful pilot programs (e.g., Good Jobs Hawai'i), and centralize shared resources for efficiency.
Collaborate with University of Hawai‘i faculty to develop resources to equip faculty to incorporate industry-relevant skills in courses.
Cultivate entrepreneurial thinking across all campuses by integrating entrepreneurship education through collaboration with faculty into curricula, supporting student and faculty startups, and building partnerships with local businesses, incubators, and investors. Ensure resources, mentorship, and experiential learning opportunities to empower learners to innovate, launch ventures, and contribute to Hawai‘i’s economic diversification.
Industry Partnership and Economic Engagement
Serve as the primary point of contact for major industry associations, the Chamber of Commerce, and the State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT).
Engage with Industry Sector Councils (e.g., IT/Cybersecurity, Healthcare, Creative Media) to co-design curriculum, ensuring that University of Hawai‘i graduates possess the specific skills employers demand.
Expand opportunities for work-based learning internships, apprenticeships, co-ops, and applied research collaborations by formalizing agreements with private sector partners and large state employers.
Innovation and Data-Driven Decision Making
Partner with the Hawai‘i Data Science Institute and UH Economic Research Organization (UHERO) to utilize real-time labor market data (LMI) to predict future skills gaps and pivot curriculum rapidly.
Advocate the adoption of micro-credentials, digital badges, and competency-based education models to serve non-traditional learners and working professionals seeking upskilling.
Lead large-scale grant applications (federal EDA, DOL, NSF) to secure funding for workforce initiatives that span multiple campuses.
Adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and policies and procedures of the University, raise awareness among staff, and direct them in such a way that University compliance requirements are met. Identify and mitigate through policy development/revision/enhancement and training, areas of risk and developing risk to the University, e.g., legal, financial, reputation, and compliance risk, and ensure team is aware and focused on addressing same.
Cultural and Community Leadership
In recognition of the University of Hawai‘i as a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning, ensure all workforce initiatives are culturally responsive and grounded in Native Hawaiian values (‘ike Hawai‘i), advancing equity for underrepresented populations.
Engage with K-12 partners (Hawaii P-20) to strengthen the pipeline from high school to workforce training.
Performs other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Master’s degree in Public Administration, Business, Education, Economics, or a related field.
Minimum of eight (8) years of progressive leadership experience in workforce development, economic development, or higher education administration.
Demonstrated ability to lead, direct, and manage complex, multi-stakeholder partnerships involving government, industry, and academia.
Demonstrated ability to navigate complex organizational systems and influence change without direct authority over all stakeholders.
Strong understanding of federal and state workforce funding streams (WIOA, Perkins, etc.).
Ability to interpret labor market data and translate it into actionable academic strategy.
Ability to comprehend and interpret administrative directives and guidance to ensure IT operations align with organizational standards and industry best practices.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Doctorate degree in a relevant field.
Experience working within a multi-campus university system or a statewide community college system.
Familiarity with the specific economic landscape and cultural context of Hawai‘i and the Pacific region.
Experience in technology transfer or corporate innovation.
TO APPLY
Candidates must also submit/attach:
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Cover Letter summarizing the candidate’s interest and qualifications for the position
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Resume
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Names of four (4) professional references, including title and contact information
Note: If you have not applied for a position using NeoGov, you will need to create an account. References will not be contacted without prior notice to the candidate. A background check will be made prior to employment.
For best consideration, please apply by the first review date of 6/16/2026
INQUIRIES
System Office of Human Resources, email:
[email protected]The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.
Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/
