Director of Certified Retail Analyst (CRA)

NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) provides quality and affordable higher education to empower lives and strengthen communities within Northwest Arkansas and surrounding areas.

As the largest community college in Arkansas, NWACC is recognized as a leader in education. NWACC offers a full range of associate degrees, certificates and workforce training programs that prepare students for rewarding futures and careers.

NWACC employees are dedicated to fostering a diverse educational community and cultural learning environment that supports student success.

Job Description Summary
The Director of this program will lead and direct activities of the Certified Retail Analyst (CRA) and advanced retail programs to provide a top-tier workforce for the dynamic vendor/supplier/retail community! This retail specialist builds collaborative relationships with community stakeholders to support the booming retail industry in the region through creating a pipeline of talent for industry partners. The Director identifies internship opportunities and is responsible for the administration of student internships and continuing education for the NW Arkansas vendor community. Experience and leadership in this arena are critical to success in this position. This position currently reports directly to the Associate Vice President of Workforce.

Essential Duties:

• Build partnerships in the vendor/supplier/retail community that positions NWACC retail programs as world-class opportunities, providing leadership to support enrollment growth
• Work directly with Retail Link Users Groups to establish relationships in growth markets, developing a strategic framework for expanding programs
• Develop innovative curriculum that supports a robust learning platform leading the research, design, and implementation of course delivery
• Collaborate with the vendor/supplier community to identify internship opportunities for students.
• Promote brand identity, marketing the program's niche & continuing education opportunities in support of NWAC's corporate learning strategies
• Utilize stakeholder advisory committee expertise to predict industry trends, develop programs, provide student mentors, and act as program ambassadors Develop and monitor budgets to meet workforce and college revenue goals  
• Additional duties may be assigned as necessary to support the goals and objectives of the department and college

Rate of Pay: $70,104 annualized *Higher compensation may be considered based on qualifications directly related to position.

Completed applications received by 8/8/2025 will be assured full consideration. Late Applications will be reviewed as necessary to fill the position.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a business-related field is required
• At least three years of management experience, including budget development and management
• At least four years of experience and/or training in the vendor/supplier industry
• Demonstrated experience in Retail Link, Luminate, Scintilla, or similar

Preferred Qualifications:

• MBA or master's degree
• Experience developing curriculum and delivering instruction across a variety of platforms: in person, hybrid, and online
• Experience in general business areas such as management, administration, finance, marketing, or a combination of these

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent communication skills with an ability to work with diverse learners
• Effective project management and organizational skills with the ability to learn, assimilate, and apply new knowledge and experiences
• Adept at team collaboration with the ability to manage multiple tasks
• Ability to utilize web-based learning management systems (currently Canvas)
• Ability to maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.
While performing the functions of this job, the employee is:
Frequently:
• Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding
• Sitting
• Standing
• Walking
Constantly:
• Hearing
• Repetitive motion
• Talking

The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and/or visual insp