Director of Retail and Supplier Education

Northwest Arkansas Community College; Greater Manchester; On-site; USD 71,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Director of Retail and Supplier Education to lead innovative educational programs that empower students and enhance community partnerships. This role involves developing strategic frameworks, managing curriculum design, and fostering relationships with the vendor/supplier community to support program growth. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication and project management skills, along with a passion for education and community engagement. Join this dynamic team to make a significant impact in the retail education sector while enjoying a collaborative and supportive work environment.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of related experience and management experience required.
• Strong knowledge in advanced accounting, marketing, or business administration.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct activities of the Certified Retail Analyst program.
• Develop strategic framework for expanding retail education programs.
• Recruit, hire, supervise, and mentor adjunct faculty.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication

Project management

Organizational skills

Ability to work with diverse learners

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA or Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Retail Link

Luminate

Scintilla

Canvas (learning management system)

Job description

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.

The Director of Retail and Supplier Education leads and directs activities of the Certified Retail Analyst (CRA) program and the advanced retail programs to provide a top-tier workforce for the dynamic vendor/supplier/retail community. Director builds collaborative relationships with stakeholders to support the retail programs through employment of program graduates. Director is responsible for the creation and administration of student internship programs and vendor community continuing education offerings. Position requires proven experience and leadership in the vendor/supplier/retail community. This position reports to the Dean of Workforce.

Essential Duties

• Identify, develop, maintain, and enhance relationships with the vendor/supplier/retail community to build partnerships and showcase the retail and supplier education programs as world-class programs and support enrollment growth.
• Develop a strategic framework for expanding the retail and supplier education programs into key "growth" markets, creating targeted advertising to support program growth.
• Work directly with Retail Link Users Group of NWA and to establish relationships with other chapters within "growth" markets.
• Build and maintain an innovative curriculum based on market research and interaction with vendor/supplier community that supports a robust online learning platform.
• Apply industry experience and knowledge, with a collaborative mindset to support a state-of-the-art virtual curriculum delivery.
• Lead research, design, and implementation of on-line delivery of the online Certified Retail Analyst program and advanced retail courses. Curriculum design, development, research, and creation is an important component of this job.
• Collaborate with vendor/supplier community to define internship goals, provide internships for CRA program students; coordinate the application and award of internships, and monitor student progress and success.
• Develop brand identity by identifying competing programs and marketing the program's niche opportunities related to CRA and continuing education needs.
• Establish short and long-term program goals and strategies to be transitioned into a viable business plan that will support the goals and strategies of corporate learning at the college.
• Recruit, hire, supervise, and mentor adjunct faculty that represent the best in vendor/supplier/retail community; serve as a substitute instructor for CRA and advanced retail courses as needed.
• Design, implement, monitor, and report employment and placement rates for CRA program graduates.
• Lead the program's advisory committee, tapping into stakeholder expertise to predict industry trends, empower them to mentor students, and act as program ambassadors.
• Establish and monitor program budget to meet workforce and college revenue goals.
• Manage a variety of other tasks as assigned or required.

Completed application received by 05/16/2025 will be assured full consideration. Late applications will be reviewed as necessary to fill the position.

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

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated use of excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to communicate with others in a clear, professional, and understandable manner in person, online, and by phone
• Ability to work with diverse learners representing a myriad of learning styles.
• Effective project management skills, including the ability to plan, organize, and schedule work in an efficient and productive manner, focusing on key priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to learn, assimilate, and apply new knowledge, information, and experiences in an effective and timely manner.
• Effective organizational skills with attention to detail, follow-through, and commitment to program and educational excellence.
• Ability to work on multiple tasks, prioritizing projects, maintaining flexibility and adaptability in the face of change.
• Adept at meeting challenges and working with teams to achieve consistent results.
• Ability to utilize web-based learning management systems (currently Canvas) to deliver education in online, face-to-face, and hybrid course structures.
• Ability to maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.

Physical Demands

Physical activities routinely associated with the position required to be performed with or without an accommodation include:

Constantly

• Manipulating items with fingers, including keyboarding at high speeds.

Frequently

• Driving
• Hearing
• Repetitive motion
• Sitting
• Talking

Occasionally

• Feeling
• Grasping
• Reaching
• Standing
• Stooping
• Walking

Environmental Conditions

The following work environment characteristics are representative of those encountered by employees while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Work environment typically consists of a professional office setting with a moderate noise level, including sounds from conversations, office equipment, and occasional movement of staff. Lighting is standard for office spaces, and the temperature is controlled to remain within a comfortable range. Employees may occasionally need to visit other areas, such as storage rooms, conference spaces, or outdoor locations, where environmental conditions may vary. Infrequently, exposure to louder noise levels or physical activities, such as moving lightweight materials, might be required.

Required Qualifications

• Strong knowledge in areas such as advanced accounting, marketing, business administration, finance, or similar.
• A four-year college degree, with a minimum of four years related experience and/or training, plus three years of management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Expertise in Retail Link, Luminate, Scintilla, or similar is a requirement.
• Proven success and experience in the following areas:
• Curriculum development
• Utilizing virtual tools and platforms
• Negotiation skills
• Direct P&L management
• Earning life learning credits
• Expertise in Retail Link software is a requirement.

Preferred Qualifications

• An MBA or Master's degree is preferred, but not required.

Work Hours

While this role is typically a 40-hour work week, some projects and activities may require additional time outside of these hours.

Work Location

This position requires an on-site presence. To support exemplary online delivery and expansion into new markets, the individual will be expected to work daily on-site while maintaining a strong virtual presence as necessary. The ideal candidate will be skilled in effective communication, navigating virtual environments, and maintaining a professional online presence.

NWACC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy.