Director, Career Services & Community Partnerships

Goodwill; Lexington (KY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Goodwill Lexington seeks a Director, Career Services to lead the Opportunity Center Operations Manager(s) and work with Career Services leadership to advance organizational goals, community impact, and workforce development initiatives.

The role emphasizes community engagement, employer partnerships, and strategic planning to expand services and improve outcomes for jobseekers and employers alike.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Bachelor's degree preferred in Business, Community Development, Public Administration, Workforce Development, Communications, Nonprofit Management, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible related experience (in lieu of a degree).
• 5+ years in community engagement, workforce development, business development, external affairs, nonprofit partnerships, or a similar field.
• Experience with chambers of commerce, Rotary clubs, civic associations, employer councils, or related community organizations.
• Knowledge of workforce development systems, community resources, employer engagement strategies, and relevant compliance requirements.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Experience using CRM or contact management systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a visible, professional representative of Goodwill and assigned Opportunity Center(s).
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with employers, community organizations, educational institutions, local government agencies, referral partners, and funding organizations.
• Actively represent Goodwill through chambers of commerce, Rotary clubs, civic organizations, economic development groups, professional associations, and other community networks.
• Attend meetings, events, networking functions, and public engagements to strengthen Goodwill's community presence.
• Develop and implement outreach strategies that increase community awareness, strengthen referral pipelines, engage employers, and connect individuals to available services.
• Build partnerships that create employment, training, volunteer, resource, and program opportunities aligned with Goodwill's mission.
• Provide direct supervision, coaching, and leadership to assigned Opportunity Center Operations Manager(s).
• Collaborate with Opportunity Center leadership to identify community needs, strengthen external partnerships, and support strategic initiatives.
• Maintain clear separation between community engagement responsibilities and daily operational functions managed by Opportunity Center Operations Managers.
• Partner with internal teams to support presentations, community events, communications initiatives, grant opportunities, and partnership proposals.

Skills

Communication

Public speaking

Relationship-building

Networking

Facilitation

Collaboration

Organization

Time management

Independence

Diplomacy

Confidentiality

Diversity

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree in Business, Community Development, Public Administration, Workforce Development, Communications, Nonprofit Management, or a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

CRM systems

Job description

Goodwill Lexington seeks a Director, Career Services to lead the Opportunity Center Operations Manager(s) and work with Career Services leadership to advance organizational goals, community impact, and workforce development initiatives.

The role emphasizes community engagement, employer partnerships, and strategic planning to expand services and improve outcomes for jobseekers and employers alike.