United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut serves as the fiscal agent and employer of record for Workforce Solutions. We are one of more than 1,200 autonomous United Ways in our nation and nearly 1,800 community-based United Ways in 45 countries and territories. We have the unique ability, vision and resources to bring together diverse stakeholders around a community vision of creating positive change to achieve long-lasting results for children and families.
We are searching for a dynamic leader to serve as Director, Workforce Solutions Collaborative as part of our team located in Hartford, Connecticut. The Director is responsible for managing Workforce Solutions Collaborative of Metro Hartford with a focus on employer-driven partnerships in select industry sectors; high-quality service delivery with demonstrated outcomes; and system coordination/policy change. Success is defined by meeting employer needs for a competitive workforce; increasing career advancement opportunities and support services for low wage/low skilled entry-level job seekers and incumbent workers; increasing funder/member participation; securing direct and leveraged public/private funding; and ensuring effective use of public/private resources and systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to advancing equity and inclusion.
- Develop, coordinate and oversee the implementation of Workforce Solution’s Collaborative operational plan which advances strategic goals and objectives with an emphasis on increasing racial and gender equity.
- Provide leadership and support to the Investors’ Committee and the Steering Committee in their respective roles of governance and an advisory/coordinating body.
- Develop and implement a resource development strategy to ensure sustainable public/private funding and to increase membership/participation in the Investors Committee; includes relationship management, effective proposal writing and timely reports, presentations and overall grant management.
- Coach/supervise collaborative staff and/or interns and secure/manage consultants and/or vendors as required.
- Manage and administer all memorandums of understanding to ensure effective partnership, quality service, and meeting of Collaborative outcomes.
- Ensure participant, employer and system outcomes; develop and implement continuous improvement strategies; and ensure alignment with regional workforce development plans; work with, and provide support to, local and national evaluators as required.
- Develop and manage multiple funding stream budget and financial reporting, including developing annual budget and financial reports for Investors Committee and preparing financial reports for fund sources.
- Manage internal operating policies and systems and recommend policies and procedure changes to the Investors Committee for approval as needed.
- Develop and implement a marketing/communications strategy to convey the outcomes of the Collaborative and its benefits to participants, employers, funders, and other key stakeholders.
- Create a forum for funders and other partners that encourage and promote alignment and coordination of regional workforce development efforts.
- Represent the Collaborative at local, state and national meetings as appropriate.
- Coordinate and/or assist with special projects.
- Performs related duties as required.
The Workforce Solutions Director must be passionate about the mission of the collaborative. Additionally, the successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:
- At least five years of relevant work experience, including at least three years managing collaborative teams in a fast-paced nonprofit, social enterprise, or start-up environment.
- Ability to perform job with integrity and values consistent with United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut and the Workforce Solutions Investors Committee members.
- Ability to relate well with people from diverse groups and drive progress toward desired racial and gender equity and inclusion outcomes.
- The executive presence to inspire confidence and passion in internal and external audiences.
- Advanced strategy and planning skills, including an ability to think strategically on both organizational and systemic levels over multi-year horizons.
- Experience with project management and grant management.
- Strong data acumen and ability to use data to drive decision making.
- Strong facilitation and presentation skills before multiple types of audiences.
- Existing relationships with, or ability to quickly build relationships with, a cross-sectorial range of stakeholders in the local or regional area, including senior executives.
- Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, able to build authentic relationships with diverse stakeholders - from public and private sector executives, employers, and philanthropists to line workers and support staff at partnering agencies.
- Strong writing ability.
- Comfort with ambiguity and ability to thrive in a fluid, entrepreneurial environment, and willingness to “roll up one’s sleeves” and extend beyond formal responsibilities as needed for the work.
Competencies:
- Familiarity with the local area and workforce development systems, and/or direct experience working with employers to improve hiring and training practices.
- Business acumen: knowledgeable about programs, grants, contracts and building and maintaining partnership relationships.
- Action Orientation/Leadership: drives for goal completion and makes adjustments as new demands emerge; identifies resource needs, and problem-solving orientation.
- Relationship Building and Communication: demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills, engenders trust with leaders and community partners, promotes the common good, and exercises active listening.
- Judgement and Decision-making: makes sound decisions under pressure, avoids assumptions, weighs risks, asks good questions, demonstrates critical thinking, delegates effectively, follows up.
- Fiscal and Operational Effectiveness: achieves objectives within allocated resources, develops ways to streamline workflows to produce desired outcomes