Deputy Director, Workforce Program Operations

Laisar Management Group; Silver Spring, Northern (MD, KY); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Laisar Management Group is seeking a Deputy Director to run day-to-day operations of a construction workforce pipeline serving District residents. You will own the process from intake to placement and a 90-day onboarding, supervising two career centers to meet targets.

This operating role emphasizes hands-on management, staffing coordination across two locations, and continuous improvement of placement and retention metrics within district workforce programs.

Qualifications

• Seven or more years in workforce development, employment services, or human services program management.
• Three or more years supervising staff, including across multiple locations or dispersed teams.
• Demonstrated experience running a program against placement or retention targets.
• Working knowledge of case management systems and participant data tracking.
• Strong operational judgment and comfort making decisions with incomplete information.

Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end candidate workflow: intake, assessment, preparation, referral, placement, and retention follow-up
• Supervise two career center managers and coordinate staffing across both locations, including weekend coverage
• Maintain candidate matching and cohort tracking systems; ensure data integrity and prevent duplicate enrollment across public workforce systems
• Build and manage warm handoff protocols with American Job Centers, training providers, and community partners
• Translate contractor hiring forecasts into cohort schedules and training priorities
• Monitor placement and 30/60/90-day retention performance; identify barriers and adjust operations accordingly
• Support reporting to the client, program partners, and oversight bodies
• Deputize for the Project Director in external meetings as needed

Skills

Workforce development

Staff supervision

Data tracking

Operations judgment

Decision making

Job description

About Laisar Management Group

For over a decade, Laisar has partnered with clients to craft and implement programs that bring transformative sustainability and socio-economic benefits to the communities they serve. As economic inclusion becomes increasingly vital, we’re dedicated to helping companies grasp its profound impact on their operations and the local economies they influence. Across industries, organizations rely on us to drive alignment and accountability in the supply chain, unlocking opportunities for underserved, diverse, small and local businesses. Through our collaborative approach, we empower clients to build vibrant, resilient communities and forge a more equitable future for all.

Overview

Laisar builds and operates hiring pipelines on large construction and infrastructure programs. We connect residents to careers in the building trades by working alongside training providers, apprenticeship sponsors, community organizations, and the contractors doing the hiring. Our teams have supported major transportation and infrastructure programs across the region, including work with general contractors on projects governed by project labor agreements and local hiring commitments.

About the Program

This position supports a major development in Washington, DC. The program is designed to connect District residents to construction employment and long-term careers in the building trades.

The Role

The Deputy Director runs day-to-day operations of a construction workforce pipeline serving District residents. You will own the process from the moment a resident walks in the door to the moment they are placed with an employer and supported through their first ninety days on the job. This is an operating role, not a strategy role — you will supervise two career center locations, hold the team to its numbers, and fix what is not working.

What You Will Do

• Manage the end-to-end candidate workflow: intake, assessment, preparation, referral, placement, and retention follow-up
• Supervise two career center managers and coordinate staffing across both locations, including weekend coverage
• Maintain candidate matching and cohort tracking systems; ensure data integrity and prevent duplicate enrollment across public workforce systems
• Build and manage warm handoff protocols with American Job Centers, training providers, and community partners
• Translate contractor hiring forecasts into cohort schedules and training priorities
• Monitor placement and 30/60/90-day retention performance; identify barriers and adjust operations accordingly
• Support reporting to the client, program partners, and oversight bodies
• Deputize for the Project Director in external meetings as needed

What You Need

• Seven or more years in workforce development, employment services, or human services program management
• Three or more years supervising staff, including across multiple locations or dispersed teams
• Demonstrated experience running a program against placement or retention targets
• Working knowledge of case management systems and participant data tracking
• Strong operational judgment and comfort making decisions with incomplete information

What Helps

• Experience in construction, infrastructure, or trades-focused workforce programs
• Familiarity with DC workforce systems — DOES, DC Networks, American Job Centers, DC Infrastructure Academy
• Experience with First Source, local hire, or comparable jurisdictional hiring requirements
• Knowledge of registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship pathways

Residency Requirement

District of Columbia residency is required. This program exists to create employment for DC residents, and we hold ourselves to the same standard. Applicants must reside in the District at the time of hire and maintain DC residency throughout employment. Residents of Ward 7 and Ward 8 are strongly encouraged to apply.

Equal Opportunity

Laisar Management Group is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, family responsibilities, personal appearance, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, credit information, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other characteristic protected by the DC Human Rights Act or federal law. Consistent with the DC Fair Criminal Record Screening Act, we do not inquire into criminal history until after a conditional offer of employment. We encourage applications from justice-impacted individuals. Reasonable accommodations are available throughout the application process on request. This position is contingent upon contract award. Anticipated start dates are subject to the program schedule. We will explain our hiring process and timeline to candidates who express interest.

Compensation

$115,000 – $145,000