Director of Educated Workforce Strategy

JOB SUMMARYThe Director of Educated Workforce Strategy is a new position at Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) that will lead the organization’s strategies focused on supporting systems change across Michigan’s workforce development sector in tandem with higher education, K12, and local community sectors to advance the organization’s Sixty by 30 goal. Under the supervision of the Deputy Director, the Director of Educated Workforce Strategy serves as a senior leader and supports various initiatives and projects focused across the workforce development sector aligned to MCAN’s strategic plan and Strategy for an Educated Workforce, both of which expand the organizational scope to include a dedicated focus on adult learners, college completion, employer engagement, and the workforce development sector more directly.

This role will focus on empowering stakeholders engaged in Michigan’s existing workforce networks, while also continuing to build and develop new networks. The Director will work together with leaders across all Michigan workforce development organizations, inclusive of state-level departments and associations, local workforce development entities, community-based organizations, and employers in an effort to work towards increasing educational outcomes for Michigan’s residents in support of Michigan’s Sixty by 30 goal. The role will also interact regularly with stakeholders from higher education, K12, and local communities to promote de-siloing and sector alignment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESThe Director of Educated Workforce Strategy performs a wide range of duties including, but not limited to, the below items.

Lead and oversee MCAN’s Strategy for an Educated Workforce and Educated Workforce department: Support implementation and updates of the recently developed strategy, establish staffing structure, and oversee the departmental budget. Seek opportunities to leverage and support the workforce development system as a strategy to increase college access and success internally and with partner organizations.Lead in the development and continuous improvement of initiatives and strategies within the department designed to focus on opportunity and systemic gaps, specifically those impacting low-income students, first-generation college-going students, and students of color.Build and maintain relationships with key national, state, and local partners, including workforce professionals and membership associations. Lead a strategy focused on advocating, persuading, and convincing workforce development entities to identify and implement the systemic changes necessary to support students through to completion and into high-wage employment opportunities. Lead MCAN’s Educated Workforce Advisory Board and all related responsibilities under the guidance of the Deputy Director and Executive Director. Plan and execute MCAN’s annual Educated Workforce Summit, working in partnership with all other departments to make progress towards the vision of three highly connected systems (workforce, K12, and higher education) that result in student educational success.

To see a more detailed job description and to apply, visit our posting here.

EDUCATION, JOB KNOWLEDGE, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate should:Have a master’s degree in a program that would support this work.Bring five to eight years of experience working in or on issues pertaining to the workforce and/or the workforce system.Have an ability to collaborate across departments on multiple projects and timelines, and work independently with minimal management to effectively perform duties in a fast-paced environment.Can think critically to solve problems, pay attention to detail, and follow through on tasks assigned through completion.Work efficiently and adhere to established deadlines.Possess strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.Have a passion for working in the nonprofit and education sector, especially for postsecondary attainment.Have strong written and verbal communication skills.

The ideal candidate must:Hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.Have a strong and demonstrated commitment to equity.Have a valid in-state driver’s license for regular local travel and national travel.Be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.

ABOUT MICHIGAN COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK

As the leader of the state’s college access movement, MCAN’s mission is to increase Michigan’s college readiness, enrollment, and completion rates, particularly among low-income students, first generation college-going students, and student of color. MCAN’s goal is to increase Michigan’s post-secondary educational attainment rate to 60% by the year 2030.

For more information, visit micollegeaccess.org.