Workforce and Apprenticeship Project Manager

The National Institute for Work and Learning (NIWL) – housed within FHI360’s US Business Unit – is improving lives in lasting ways. NIWL advances work and learning outcomes for communities, workforce systems, and individuals. We build bridges between work and learning by promoting shared goals and common understanding and expanding research-based strategies.

This position is contingent on donor funding.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Workforce and Apprenticeship Project Manager position supports and manages core programmatic functions for apprenticeship, workforce development, and career readiness programming. The manager will expand the reach and oversee the National Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship initiative; offering professional development to a cadre of new and supporting existing workforce development specialists nationwide as a workforce solution. This position will manage staff, project activities, and conduct research leading to positive outcomes for young adults in prevention, career development, and reentry programs.

The position will be responsible for all aspects of the programming including partnership development and relationship building internally and externally, researching and analyzing data and promising practices, creating tools and resources, identifying, training and providing technical quality control to local partners, supporting communications for the programs, encouraging teamwork and ensuring accountability and outcomes for our programs. Existing knowledge and management of Department of Labor and Department of Justice programs and frameworks will be beneficial.

The Workforce and Apprenticeship Project Manager will report to NIWL’s Director of Workforce Development and work collaboratively with staff and leadership implementing the initiatives.

Accountabilities:

General Project Management: Works with the Leadership Team to ensure the successful coordination, management, and implementation of the projects with quality. Creates and monitors work plans and deliverables, reviews and uses data to support programmatic effectiveness and continuous program improvement. Creates and maintains project materials, including but not limited to standardized operating procedures, protocols, implementation guides, and other templates. Develops and delivers project plans, documentation, training, presentations and budget proposals to management. Identifies and resolves project issues and implements improvement plans to ensure the project stays on schedule and within budget.
 

Research labor market index of geographic areas for expansion of the workforce and justice portfolio, manages and oversees the program design and budgets of projects from initiation to completion. Builds, develops, and grows partnerships vital to the success of workforce and justice programs and the Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship.

Develop and deliver an apprenticeship project management plan leadership and the team members. Develops and researches best practices and tools for workforce development, apprenticeship strategies, prevention and reentry workforce projects.

• Manages and oversees the development of projects from initiation to completion.

• Defines project scope, goals, and deliverables that support business goals and strategic vision of management.

• Manages the operational and tactical aspects of multiple projects in a matrix environment.

• Manages the development of project teams to ensure compliance with policies and procedures; also, to develop and implement process improvement plans.

• Keeps abreast of the latest strategies, tools and terminologies used in project management worldwide to adopt and increase productivity.

• Author reports on the project for management and for funders.

• Develops best practices and tools for project execution and management.

• performs other duties as assigned

Collaboration & Communication: Maintains strong working relationships and consistent communication with internal and external colleagues and program partners around the globe. Prepares and delivers high quality products, including program reports, summaries, and briefs, in a timely fashion. Participates in business development processes and writing sections of proposals to expand the portfolio of projects.

Capacity Building and Technical Assistance: Conducts analysis of program implementation to identify areas for improvement and proposes appropriate technical strategy and guidelines to advance implementation. Works with senior staff to develop materials and tools that support local program implementation, foster continuous program improvement, and build local capacity. Provides coaching and training (in the field and virtually via online tools) to lo