Executive Director, Manufacturing & Engineering

 Executive Director, Manufacturing & Engineering

Department: WCED EVP Office

Location: Manufacturing Technology Center

Reports To:  VP, Skill-Based Education & Career Pathways

Recruitment Type:  External/Internal 

Requisition ID: req6395 

Employment Type: Administration and Professionals

Union Position: Non-Union

Work Schedule: Standard College Hours: M-F, 8:30am-5pm

Number of Openings:  1

Job Description:

SUMMARY STATEMENT

The Executive Director (E.D.) of the Manufacturing & Engineering Workforce Academy is a leadership role responsible for the strategic direction, academic quality, and operational execution of workforce development programs within the academy. Reporting to the Vice President of Skills-Based Education & Career Pathways, the E.D. leads the development of high-quality, industry-relevant training aligned with labor market demand and student success outcomes. This position serves as a critical internal and external connector—working collaboratively across the college and externally with employers, workforce agencies, and community stakeholders. Works collaboratively with the School of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering & Computer Science to support aligned non-credit to credit pathways and student completion of credit curriculum. The E.D. is expected to lead or contribute to collegewide efforts such as accreditation, program review, and curriculum development, while also building strong, responsive relationships with industry partners to shape programming and expand opportunities for learners.  This role leads an Academy team focused on student retention, completion, and excellent customer service to all stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Strategic Leadership: Set the vision and direction for academy programs, ensuring relevance, responsiveness, and alignment with institutional goals and regional workforce needs
• Program Development and Oversight: Oversee the design, delivery, and evaluation of non-credit and credit-aligned programs
• Internal Collaboration & Governance: Serve as a key collaborator across Workforce Innovation and collegewide, partnering with academic leadership and faculty
• Industry & Community Engagement: Represent the Academy to employers, industry groups, government agencies, workforce boards, and all community stakeholders
• Faculty & Staff Leadership: Recruit, onboard, supervise and support instructors and staff
• Operations & Budget Management: Direct daily Academy operations including scheduling, staffing, budgeting, and reporting
• Student Success: Support student recruitment efforts and drive an aligned strategy around retention and completion
• Career Readiness: Collaborate with Career Services and external partners to support work-based learning and employment opportunities
• Data-Driven Continuous Improvement: Monitor program performance metrics and use evidence to drive innovation
• Resource Development: Identify and pursue external funding to support program growth and innovation
• Performs other duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE/TRAINING

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Business, Engineering or other field related to the academy
  • Significant related experience may substitute for education
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive leadership experience in workforce development, industry training, or community/technical college education
• Demonstrated success managing workforce-aligned programs or technical training initiatives with measurable outcomes.
• Experience working collaboratively within complex organizations

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES

• Possess familiarity with curriculum design, industry certification standards, and/or regulatory compliance
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and partner effectively across academic and workforce units