Director of Development & Vocational Services

Joshua Tree Service Group; Donalsonville (GA); On-site; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits after 60 days

In-office role in Donalsonville, GA

Job summary

The Joshua Tree Service Group seeks a Director of Development and Vocational Services to drive strategic growth, partnerships, and oversight of vocational programs in Donalsonville, GA. This in-office role requires leading a diverse team and aligning services with market demand while expanding revenue streams.

You will manage budgets, ensure compliance with WIOA and related standards, and engage with GVRA and community partners to maximize job opportunities for participants.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business / Public Administration, Social Work, Vocational Rehabilitation, or related field.
• 3–5 years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit vocational services and private sector development.
• Proven track record of meeting targets and leading a team.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to pivot services to employer needs.
• Excellent public speaking and negotiation skills.
• Analytical ability with comfort using data analytics to drive decisions.
• Empathy and strong ethics aligned with mission.
• Employment contingencies including background check and credentialing.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Growth: Develop and execute a multi-year growth and financial plan to expand vocational service offerings and geographic reach.
• Partnership Building: Proactively cultivate relationships with local businesses, chambers of commerce, and government agencies to create vocational services and placement opportunities.
• Brand Advocacy: Represent vocational services at industry conferences and GVRA events to build institutional credibility.
• Vocational Program Oversight: Oversee the development of services and offerings aligned with labor market trends and policies.
• Service Delivery & Compliance: Ensure quality, compliance, and KPI attainment in job coaching, placement, evaluations, and retention.
• Compliance & Accreditation: Maintain adherence to state and federal regulations (e.g., WIOA, DOL) and accrediting bodies; train staff accordingly.
• Budgeting & Resources: Manage the department's annual budget and optimize resource allocation.
• Staff Leadership & Growth: Recruit, mentor, and lead a team of Vocational Supervisors and Employment Specialists.

Skills

Entrepreneurial Mindset

Communication

Analytical Ability

Empathy & Ethics

Education

Master's degree in Business / Public Administration, Social Work, Vocational Rehabilitation, or related field

Job description

The Director of Development and Vocational Services is responsible for the strategic expansion and operational excellence of vocational programs and market development. This includes identifying and enhancing revenue streams, building business and community partnerships, and overseeing the delivery of employment training and vocational services. The primary goal is to increase the organization's community footprint while maximizing job opportunities and strategic partnerships.

This position is the bridge between a community's workforce needs and the untapped potential of its people. By aligning market demands with vocational training, the Director ensures that social services are not just a safety net, but a springboard for economic mobility.

Core Responsibilities

• Strategic Growth: Develop and execute a multi-year growth and financial plan to expand vocational service offerings and geographic reach.
• Partnership Building: Proactively cultivate relationships with local businesses, chambers of commerce, and government agencies to create vocational services and placement opportunities in conjunction with community impact.
• Brand Advocacy: Act as the primary face of vocational services, presenting at industry conferences and networking events including GVRA offices and events to build institutional credibility.

Vocational Program Oversight

• Program Design: Oversee the development of services and offerings that align with labor market trends, vocational rehabilitation policies, and create profitable results.
• Service Delivery: Ensure that job coaching, placement services, evaluations, and retention support meet high standards of quality, compliance, and success in accordance with Joshua Tree budgetary expectations and GVRA KPI's.
• Service Exploration & Partnerships: Explore agencies and opportunities to provide services outside of GVRA to both impact communities and expand revenue streams.
• Compliance & Accreditation: Maintain adherence to state and federal regulations (e.g., WIOA, DOL) and relevant accrediting bodies. Seek out training for staff to increase effectiveness and opportunities.
• Budgeting: Manage the department's annual budget, ensuring optimal resource allocation and meeting profit/loss targets.
• Data-Driven Leadership: Utilize Key Response Areas (KRAs) to track placement rates, retention, and cost-per-employee.
• Staff Leadership: Recruit, mentor, and lead a team of Vocational Supervisors, Employment Specialists, Job Coaches, Community Relations Specialists, and administrative staff as needed.
• Growth: Percentage increase in new employer partnerships year-over-year.
• Placement Rate: Number and percentage of program participants successfully placed in competitive integrated employment.
• Service Development: Creation of new service avenues or practices to enhance offerings and appeal.
• Retention: Percentage of participants who remain employed at the 90-day mark.
• Financial Health: Success in achieving budgeted revenue.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Master's degree in Business / Public Administration, Social Work, Vocational Rehabilitation, Ministry or a related field.
• Experience: 3-5 years of progressive leadership experience, ideally in a mix of non-profit vocational services and private sector business development.
• Track Record: Proven success in meeting targets, managing high-level responsibilities, and leading a team.
• Key Skills:
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: The ability to spot market deficits and pivot services to meet the needs of employers and GVRA staff in a community.
• Communication: Exceptional public speaking and negotiation skills.
• Analytical Ability: Comfortable using computer programing, applications, and data analytics to drive decision-making.
• Empathy & Ethics: A deep commitment to the mission of empowering individuals with disabilities, community service, and overall impact.
• Compensation: $70,000.00 per year to be paid on the last business day of each month via direct deposit.
• Schedule & Location: Full-time, in-office position located in the Joshua Tree Administrative Office in Donalsonville, GA, expecting up to 40 hours per week in accordance with the Joshua Tree employment calendar. The position will require travel and involvement in the communities Joshua Tree serves or is aiming to serve.
• Benefits: Health benefits are offered after 60 days of employment and include health, vision, and dental. The Director is also covered under the company insurance policy during implementation of services or job duties.
• Leadership Structure: The Director will report directly to the Joshua Tree CEO and will be a member of the Joshua Tree Administration Staff for leadership purposes.
• Culture & Mission Alignment: The Director will be a carrier and protector of the company vision and mission. They must adhere to Joshua Tree's Vision and Mission Statement, utilize the Joshua Tree Policy & Procedures Manual, and exhibit adherence to and implementation of Joshua Tree's "Core 4" Value System as it pertainsto company representation.
• Employment Contingencies: This is an "at-will" arrangement and employment begins with a 60-day probationary period. Employment is contingent upon a federal background check, credential approval by the State of Georgia, and a successful interview with Joshua Tree Service Group leadership.