Director of Workforce Development

Director of Workforce Development

Position Summary:

The Director of Workforce Development is responsible for supporting the development and implementation of workforce development initiatives within Oklahoma City Public Schools. The Director will collaborate with the Executive Director of Workforce Development and other district leaders, educators, and community partners to develop strategies, programs, and initiatives that prepare students for success in post-secondary education, the workforce, and lifelong learning. The Director will work to identify industry needs and trends to inform curriculum development and coordinate with stakeholders to support student achievement and increase workforce readiness.

Essential Duties

1. Great Teaching & Learning (Instructional Infrastructure)

• Develop and implement a districtwide workforce development strategy that aligns college, career, and workforce-readiness initiatives with district priorities and student outcome goals.
• Collaborate with curriculum, counseling, CTE, and school leaders to integrate career awareness, exploration, planning, and workforce readiness competencies into the K-12 instructional experience.
• Utilize labor market data, workforce trends, student outcome data, and industry feedback to inform career pathway development and program design.
• Design and expand work-based learning opportunities, including internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, industry certifications, and career-connected learning experiences.
• Monitor program effectiveness and student outcomes through data analysis and continuous improvement processes to ensure equitable access and successful workforce transitions.

2. Great People (Talent Management)

• Build the capacity of educators, counselors, administrators, and workforce development staff through professional learning focused on career readiness, workforce trends, and postsecondary success.
• Establish strategic partnerships with business, industry, higher education, workforce agencies, and community organizations to strengthen career pathways and expand opportunities for students.
• Collaborate with district leaders to recruit, engage, and retain industry and community partners that support workforce development initiatives.
• Develop systems that increase stakeholder engagement and shared ownership of workforce readiness goals across schools and departments.
• Foster a culture of innovation, continuous learning, and high expectations that prepares students for success in postsecondary education and the workforce.

3. Great Culture (Systems Leadership)

• Lead the development and execution of a coherent districtwide vision for workforce development that advances equitable access to high-quality career and postsecondary opportunities for every student.
• Collaborate with district and school leaders to identify barriers to student success and coordinate integrated supports that promote college, career, and workforce readiness.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration among departments to align workforce development initiatives with district strategic priorities and transformation goals.
• Serve as the district liaison to state, regional, and national workforce development organizations, ensuring alignment with emerging trends, best practices, and policy developments.
• Champion partnerships and resource allocation strategies that prioritize opportunities for historically underserved student populations and high-need schools.

4. Great Systems (Support & Accountability)

• Develop and implement systems for monitoring workforce development initiatives, measuring program effectiveness, and evaluating return on investment through clearly defined performance metrics.
• Establish short-cycle planning and continuous improvement processes that utilize multiple data sources to identify challenges, monitor implementation, and adjust strategies to improve outcomes.
• Coordinate grant development efforts, identify funding opportunities, and support the implementation and compliance monitoring of workforce-related grants and programs.
• Ensure compliance with district policies and applicable requirements from the Oklahoma State Department of Education, Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, workforce development agencies, and other regulatory entities.
• Prepare and present reports, recommendations, and performance outcomes to district leadership, community partners, and other stakeholders to support informed decision-making and accountability.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Original Essential Duties:

• Develop and implement workforce development initiatives that align with district goals and support student achievement.
• Collaborate extensively with the district's Executive Director of Workforce Development, Executive Director of Counseling, College and Career Readiness, Director for Career and Technical Education, as well as other district leaders, educators, and community partners to identify workforce needs and develop programs that prepare students for success in the workforce.
• Stay up to date with industry trends and labor market data to inform curriculum development and career pathways.
• Work with educators to integrate career readiness, exploration, and planning into the curriculum, ensuring that students have the skills and knowledge necessary for success in the workforce.
• Identify and cultivate relationships with community partners, including local businesses and organizations, to provide opportunities for students to explore careers and engage in work-based learning opportunities and hands-on experience in various industries through internships, job shadowing, and apprenticeships.
• Develop and implement career readiness programs, such as career fairs, mock interviews, and resume-building workshops.
• In collaboration with district, school, and department leaders, develop and deliver professional development for educators and staff to ensure that they have the skills and knowledge necessary to support student success in the workforce.
• Collaborate with other OKCPS departments to analyze data and metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of workforce development and program initiatives and implement improvements as needed.
• Serve as a liaison to state and national organizations focused on workforce development, staying current on trends and best practices in the field.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local and regional post-secondary institutions to promote access and success for students.
• Create and facilitate opportunities for industry partners to engage with OKCPS and assist in the development and implementation of industry partner programs in support of student learning excellence.
• Collect and analyze data to monitor and report on workforce development program outcomes to district leaders and stakeholders.
• Identifies grant and other funding opportunities for and assists in the preparation of applications for work-based learning opportunities.
• Assists in the implementation and interpretation of policies, procedures and other mandated requirements from the District, OK State Department of Education, OK Department of Career and Technology Education, and other agencies as applicable.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities):

• Master's degree in education, business, or a related field.
• At least five (5) years of experience in workforce development or a related field.
• Experience leading workforce development programs or initiatives.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills, with a demonstrated ability to build relationships and work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong analytical and data-informed decision-making skills.
• Knowledge of trends and best practices in workforce development and education.

*Relevant experience may be substituted for formal education at a 2:1 ratio.  Therefore for every one year of college lacking, two years of directly relevant experience may be substituted.

Physical/Mental Requirements:   

• Must have the adequate manual dexterity to write legibly and perform required duties on the computer.
• Must have adequate visual acuity to read, interpret and transcribe written material and other required duties.
• Requires normal range of hearing and clear speaking abilities to interact appropriately with others in person and on the telephone.
• Requires some stooping, bending, stretching and occasional lifting not to exceed 25 pounds.
• Sitting for prolonged periods of time.
• May periodically require work outside of normal business hours, including weekends, under sometimes. stressful conditions in order to meet business needs and strict deadlines.

 Work Environment:  

• Office duties will be performed in a well-lighted, climate-controlled environment.   

Reports To: Executive Director of College and Career Planning

FSLA Status:  Exempt

Compensation: 903

Work Days:      242

FTE: 1.00

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive. The employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by the supervisor or appropriate administrator.  Oklahoma City Public Schools reserves the right to, update, revise or change job duties as the need prevails. This document is for communication only and not intended to imply a written or implied contract of employment. The Board of Education and Superintendent may approve alternatives to the listed qualifications.