Project Director, Workforce Development Project

FHI 360 will implement a new five-year, $30 million Workforce Development Project to address the shortage of trained advanced manufacturing workers in the aerospace industry. The Project will (a) train 10,000 workers globally by 2030 in advanced manufacturing careers; (b) leave engaged communities more ready to support expanded workforce development programs in the aerospace advanced manufacturing sector; and (c) generate knowledge on how to close the labor gap in aerospace manufacturing.

The Project will design and support a flexible, grants-based initiative that funds 10-13 sites globally that address workforce demand gaps and barriers to workforce development programming based on project assessments and community plans that are developed with stakeholders. Large grants will be awarded to institutions in 4-5 sites to increase the number of workers trained there; the remaining grants pool will be reserved for small competitive or opportunistic awards to other sites where the payoff is immediate and lasting. Across all communities, grants will be available for local alliances, associations, and other trade groups to promote community engagement in aerospace advanced manufacturing.

Grants could include support for (1) campaigns that improve the reputation of advanced manufacturing jobs and excite prospective trainees; (2) recruitment activities to direct potential participants to register for training programs; (3) efforts to reduce barriers to enter training institutions and programs; (4) capacity expansion initiatives, including additional classrooms and equipment, that enable training programs to enroll more students; and (5) activities to increase the resources and services students need to increase graduation and job placement rates from training programs.

The Project Director will be responsible for the overall and quality implementation of the Workforce Development Project and report to the Director of Programs.

Job responsibilities:

• Provide technical and overall leadership to the project team, ensuring that the project meets it training objectives, creates long-lasting community engagement that continues to improve aerospace workforce systems, and promotes the client’s thought leadership goals; oversee the technical quality of project implementation; and oversee all operational functions, including management and staffing, subawards, and deliverables, in compliance with FHI 360 policies and procedures.

• Establish work plans, processes, and policies to meet project goals within the prescribed time frame and funding parameters, and ensure compliance with GE Aerospace, FHI 360 and project policies.

• In collaboration with Project finance experts and the Director of Programs, review and revise the project budget, and ensure that funds are expended prudently and within budget parameters.

• In collaboration with the project Labor Market Economist and other experts, assess and analyze workforce development challenges in target communities to inform grant development and partner selection.

• In collaboration with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) team, develop and oversee the implementation of a MERL plan for the project, ensuring that it supports project goals and generates meaningful knowledge.

• In collaboration with Project communications experts, GE Aerospace, and the Director of Programs, develop and oversee the implementation of a communications plan for the project, and ensure its alignment with FHI 360’s portfolio of GE Aerospace funded projects.

• Lead a cross-departmental team of 12-14 staff working full- or part-time on this project, as well as consultants in targeted communities.

• Support the Director of Programs in liaising with, delivering reports to, and providing as-needed communications to the Project Funder, the GE Aerospace Foundation.

• Identify, build, and support partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to develop community plans with private sector companies, community colleges and other technical and vocational education and training institutions, and local government sector actors that enhance resources and ownership to reach shared goals.

• Foster a culture of learning, excellence, teamwork, and accountability; promote and maintain a safe and equitable work environment for all staff.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree or its international equivalent in Workforce Education, Workforce Development, International Development, Economic Development, Education, Public Administration, Public Affairs, Policy Studies, or a related field.

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in project management, overseeing complex projects and initiatives, incl