Vice President for Workforce Development & Community Partnerships

Job Details: Position Type: Full Time Staff, Salary Range: $160000.00 - $182000.00Salary, PURPOSE OF THIS POSITION:

The Vice President of Workforce Development and Community Partnerships serves as a liaison between the University and surrounding local, regional and national communities, including corporate, non-profit, government, military, K-12 schools, and higher-education entities in order to build strategic relationships that advance the University’s civic and economic mission and generate new revenue. This is accomplished through two core areas: (1) developing and delivering workforce development and continuing education programs that align the university's educational offerings with regional economic and labor market needs; and (2) generating value and revenue from the University’s specialized research assets, facilities, and faculty expertise through corporate and industry partnerships. It is expected that the VP will interact extensively with University colleagues, including Academic Affairs, Advancement, Enrollment, and Marketing, Government and External Affairs. This role focuses on revenue-generating partnerships and workforce programming and talent pipeline initiatives, working in close collaboration with – but distinct from – the University’s government relations, advancement, and external communications functions.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Strategic Leadership: Shape the vision for the university's workforce development initiatives, aligning non-credit and credit-bearing programs to regional industry demands. Drive the cultural and operational change needed to ensure the University consistently delivers on its partnership commitments, building cross-functional accountability so that external promises are matched by reliable internal execution. Employer Engagement: Cultivate partnerships with business leaders, industry associations, and local/state economic development boards to identify workforce needs and develop data-informed and market-responsive offerings, including targeted training, talent and innovation solutions. Budget & Resource Management: Secure external funding, through partnership agreements and grant proposals, for workforce and community education initiatives. Exhibit strong fiscal oversight and build the necessary systems and processes with personnel in order to deliver those designed/developed programs. Program Oversight: Working with Academic Affairs and Enrollment, manage operations spanning corporate training, continuing education, certificate programs, extension/off-campus programming, and online/hybrid programming. Revenue Strategy and Accountability: Establish revenue targets and key performance metrics for workforce development and partnership activities, with accountability for meeting defined annual revenue goals. Report regularly on progress, pipeline, and return on investment. Asset and Innovation Commercialization: Develop and execute strategies to generate value and revenue from University’s specialized research assets, equipment, and facilities (e.g., strategic investments in quantum computing capabilities, Biopharmaceutical technologies, and other grant-funded programs). Partner with academic and research leaders, faculty, and external industry partners to put these assets to productive use through corporate partnerships, applied research collaborations, sponsored use, and innovation initiatives. Partner Engagement: Cultivate relationships with community colleges, high schools, and vocational schools to increase the pipeline of students attending WNE through workforce development programming. Engage campus partners to ensure that necessary programs and transfer agreements are in place. Business Development & Revenue-Generation: Develop and execute a business development strategy that grows revenue through corporate training, continuing education, workforce development programs, facility and laboratory utilization, and strategic industry partnerships. Identify, cultivate, and secure new corporate clients and partners, negotiating agreements that create mutually beneficial educational, workforce, research, and innovation opportunities.

WNE offers an excellent benefits package that includes, health, dental, vision, 403b retirement plan, and tuition remission. In addition, ​​this role is eligible for performance-based bonuses tied to net-revenue generation. Qualifications: REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITIES:

Education: A Master's degree in educational administration, adult education, business, or a related field; Doctorate or equivalent combination of senior industry experience is valued.

Experience: 10+ years of progressive senior leadership experience in higher education or business development environments, with an understanding of adult learning and corporate training and workforce needs.

Key Skills:

Labor market analysis, grant administration, financial management, communications, and strategic partnership building.

Proven ability to identify market opportunities and build a pipeline of organizational partners and clients.

Experience negotiating partnership agreements, service contracts, sponsorships, or other revenue-generating arrangements.

Strong execution skills to bring ideas to fruition, including establishing partnerships and working cross-functionally to ensure internal operations are prepared to deliver.

Strong collaboration and communication skills, including change leadership.​​​​​

PHYSICAL AND ERGONOMIC REQUIREMENTS:

This position operates primarily in a professional office and meeting environment and requires the ability to perform sedentary work, including extended periods of sitting, computer use, and reading. The role requires frequent communication and the ability to exchange accurate information with internal and external partners in person, by phone, and through virtual platforms. Regular local, regional, and occasional broader national travel may be required to cultivate and maintain partnerships, including the ability to travel to corporate, community, and partner sites. The role requires the ability to attend events and meetings that may occur outside standard business hours, including evenings and occasional weekends. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

HOURS:

Exempt, hours as needed to complete job responsibilities.

Western New England University is committed to enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging by acknowledging and embracing diversity of thought, opinion, and approach with colleagues regardless of background, culture, and organizational level. WNE encourages diversity in our job applicants to ensure the best culture and work outcomes.