Position Announcement, Director of Workforce Development Policy
The organization. The mission of Women Employed is to improve women’s economic status and remove barriers to economic equity. Over the past 35 years, Women Employed has won changes in public and private sector policies and practices to open opportunities for women and improve their earnings. Our goals are to promote fair workplaces, increase access to training and education, and provide women with tools and information to move to jobs paying family-supporting wages.
Women Employed is an innovative and dynamic organization, developing practical solutions to open employment opportunities, improve working conditions, and increase college access and success for women. We place a major emphasis on low-wage workers. The organization fulfills its mission through policy, advocacy and systems-change work, the creation of public and private sector practices and programs that address barriers to higher education and good employment, and the development of innovative approaches to overcoming employment barriers.
The position. Women Employed seeks a Director of Workforce Development Policy to lead the organization’s work to expand postsecondary educational opportunities for low-wage women. The major focus of the position is to win changes in public and private sector practices and policies so that more low-wage women are able to successfully complete postsecondary education and obtain family-supporting employment. This is a senior leadership position in the organization and includes organizational as well as program responsibilities.
Primary responsibilities include:
* Providing strategic perspective and leadership to the development and operation of programs and policies that promote women’s access to and success in postsecondary education and training.
* Leading a multi-year initiative in Illinois whose ultimate goal is to create clearly defined, well-connected, and accessible educational pathways into good-paying jobs
* Building partnerships with stakeholders in the postsecondary education and training system in Illinois and nationally, including community colleges, state higher education and workforce agencies, community organizations, and employers.
* Developing and launching new initiatives that promote high-quality postsecondary education and training for low-income adults.
* Providing visible leadership for development and achievement of strategic goals and related program objectives and targets; assessing, evaluating, and refining program activities and goals as needed.
* Providing support and oversight to program team members, ensuring that the team is meeting outcomes and quality standards.
* Overseeing state and national legislative advocacy related to increasing access to and success in postsecondary education.
* Maximizing foundation income by developing and maintaining relationships with foundations, overseeing and writing grant reports and proposals, and cultivating new foundation opportunities.
* Participating in WE management team and taking on organizational development projects as needed.
The ideal candidate will possess the following: Bachelor’s degree with at least 10 years’ experience in public policy advocacy and/or workforce development or a related field, at least five of those in a senior position. At least five years of supervisory experience. Demonstrated interest in promoting the advancement of low-wage women; strategic perspective; ability to successfully manage multiple priorities and achieve outcomes; an entrepreneurial, opportunity-driven outlook and positive approach to problem solving; experience interacting effectively with diverse audiences. We seek a team player with excellent writing, interpersonal, public speaking, and organizational skills, possessing self-directed initiative and resourcefulness, with attention to detail and accuracy, flexibility, and a sense of humor. Organizing or direct service experience a plus.
Women Employed offers excellent benefits, including fully paid health and life insurance. Compensation negotiable based on experience and commensurate with organizational salary structure.
Application deadline: Open until position is filled.
Email resume with cover letter to: info@womenemployed.org, or mail to: Search Committee – Director of Workforce Development Policy, Women Employed, 111 N. Wabash, Suite 1300, Chicago, IL 60602. No telephone inquiries accepted. Resumes without cover letters will not be reviewed. Women Employed is an equal opportunity employer. People of color are encouraged to apply.
|
