Senior Director, ATDM Operations & Engineering

Internal Candidate Eligibility
This position is open to internal candidates in accordance with IALR’s Internal Job Posting Policy. To be eligible, employees must have at least six (6) months in their current role, a satisfactory performance record, no active warnings, and must meet all listed qualifications. Employees should notify their current manager prior to applying. For full policy details, contact the HR Department.

Due to the nature of the work performed, only U.S. citizens will be considered for this position. This role is not eligible for remote work and will be based onsite in Danville, Virginia.

About IALR
The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation. The mission will be accomplished through applied research, advanced learning, economic development, advanced manufacturing, and conference services. Driving Economic Transformation is at the heart of everything we do at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. WE discover breakthroughs, create opportunity, grow innovation, power progress, and host greatness. Each of our divisions plays a critical role in preserving and delivering this mission daily.

About the Role
The Senior Director, ATDM Operations & Engineering, provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all technical training programs within the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) initiative. This role is responsible for managing a cross-functional team of Engineering Managers and Shift Managers across multiple disciplines, including CNC Machining, Additive Manufacturing, Welding, Nondestructive Testing (NDT), Metrology, and ISO Standards. 

The Senior Director ensures consistent instructional quality, safety, and operational efficiency across all training shifts and technical areas. This position leads efforts to scale ATDM's operations, improve student throughput, and align program delivery with Department of Defense workforce readiness standards. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of technical education, manufacturing processes, and large-scale program management. 

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and leadership to leaders overseeing CNC, AM, Welding, NDT, and Metrology/ISO programs. 
• Direct day-to-day operations of ATDM’s technical training delivery, ensuring alignment with instructional goals, safety standards, and workforce outcomes. 
• Manage and monitor staffing, scheduling, and training coordination across multiple shifts to support consistent, high-quality instruction. 
• Collaborate with ATDM leadership to evaluate program effectiveness, implement continuous improvement initiatives, and support workforce development goals. 
• Oversee capital equipment planning, procurement, and maintenance to support training scalability and technical innovation. 
• Partner with cross-functional teams, including Student Services, Curriculum Development, and Technology Integration, to support program operations. 
• Facilitate communication and coordination across instructional teams to ensure standardization, alignment, and instructional fidelity. 
• Lead and mentor direct reports, including the Engineering Managers and ATDM Shift Managers, fostering professional development and high performance. 
• Monitor program metrics, including student throughput, lab readiness, safety compliance, and instructor effectiveness. 
• Represent the ATDM program with external stakeholders, including government, industry, and educational partners, as needed. 

Work Location
We are looking for staff to work onsite in Danville, VA.

The Ideal Candidate

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Technology, Operations Management, or a related field required; master’s degree preferred. 
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in technical training, manufacturing operations, or workforce development. 
• At least 3