Director of Workforce Planning and Design

Empire State College; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Director of Workforce Planning and Design to lead innovative workforce initiatives. This strategic role involves aligning education with employment outcomes, securing funding for programs, and collaborating with various stakeholders to enhance workforce development. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in educational programming and workforce development, with a passion for creating inclusive pathways for learners. Join a forward-thinking institution dedicated to empowering diverse communities and driving economic development through education. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the field of workforce education.

Benefits

NYS health insurance

Free dental and vision

Competitive retirement options

Generous vacation accruals

Strong work-life balance

Professional development activities

Qualifications

• 5+ years in workforce development or educational programming.
• Experience in securing and managing workforce-related grants.

Responsibilities

• Oversee planning and design of workforce initiatives.
• Collaborate with faculty and external organizations for program execution.

Skills

Workforce Development

Educational Programming

Grant Management

Curriculum Development

Communication Skills

Relationship Building

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education

Master's degree in related field

Job description

Director of Workforce Planning and Design

Category: Professional

Department: Enrollment Management and Marketing

Locations: Various, NY

Posted: Apr 10, 2025

Closes: Open Until Filled

Type: Full-time

PositionID: 187247

About Empire State University:

Founded in 1971 as the innovative campus of the State University of New York (SUNY), Empire State University empowers learners from diverse backgrounds to achieve their educational goals. We have decades of experience providing educational access through online teaching and learning, individualized instruction, mentoring, and prior learning assessment. We build on our students' experiences to promote their growth and drive upward mobility and economic development in New York state and beyond. SUNY Empire's 100,000 alumni are teachers, nurses, entrepreneurs, and leaders in their communities and their fields. Visit www.sunyempire.edu and follow us on social media @SUNYEmpire.

SUNY Empire is committed to creating a multicultural, inclusive academic and work environment. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We believe that having diverse faculty and staff is critical to academic excellence and prepares students to live and work in an increasingly global world.

Job Description:

The Director of Workforce Planning and Design is a strategic leader and connector who drives the university's mission to align workforce education with high-impact employment outcomes. Reporting to the Senior Director of Partnerships and Workforce Development within the Office of Enrollment Management and Marketing (OEMM), this role focuses on the development, funding, and implementation of short-term credentials and microcredentials, pre-apprenticeship/apprenticeship pathways, and employer-driven learning aligned with regional, statewide, and national workforce needs.

This director will serve as the key liaison to SUNY for workforce and microcredential initiatives and will lead efforts to identify funding streams such as grants, WIOA, 1199SEIU, and apprenticeship support. The role is central to translating partnerships into viable workforce programs by coordinating internal academic approvals and external resources to ensure sustainable, scalable offerings.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Oversee the strategic planning and structural design of workforce and microcredential initiatives, ensuring alignment with labor market needs and seamless integration across all five academic colleges.
• Act as the primary liaison to SUNY System Administration on all matters related to workforce strategy, microcredentials, and statewide workforce initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director of Partnerships, the Assistant Directors of Partnerships, and external organizations to take developed concepts and build them into fully executed workforce programs.
• Work directly with faculty, deans, and the Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) to align curriculum development with employer needs and streamline program approval processes.
• Identify, pursue, and secure funding opportunities including state and federal grants, WIOA funding, union support (e.g., 1199SEIU), and employer-sponsored training dollars.
• Coordinate and support the NYS Department of Labor apprenticeship and preapprenticeship programs offered by the university.
• Oversee the development, launch, and continuous improvement of short-term credentials and microcredentials and training programs that serve as both entry points and embedded components within degree pathways.
• Track and analyze program success, student outcomes, and market relevance to ensure continuous quality improvement and data-driven decision-making.
• Partner with internal teams (marketing, admissions, financial aid, registrar) to ensure operational readiness and cross-departmental alignment for each workforce offering.
• Stay current on national and state workforce trends, SUNY and NYSED initiatives, and employer demands to inform program strategy.
• Lead and act as project director for workforce grants to support workforce and microcredential programming, including writing grant proposals, budgeting, reporting, and ensuring compliance with funding requirements.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Business Administration, Workforce Development, Public Administration, or related field.
• A minimum of five years of experience in workforce development, educational programming, or related leadership roles.
• Demonstrated success in securing and managing workforce-related grants or funding sources.
• Experience collaborating with academic leaders and external stakeholders on curriculum, credentialing, or workforce training.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Deep understanding of SUNY System initiatives and NYS workforce funding mechanisms.
• Familiarity with microcredentials, apprenticeships, and adult learning best practices.
• Experience working with labor unions, industry associations, or state agencies such as NYSED or NYSDOL.

Special Information:

• Occasional travel will be required to fulfill university-wide commitments.
• Some evening and/or weekend engagement with stakeholders is required.
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. VISA sponsorship is not available for this position.
• This position will be located at one of our university locations which include, Saratoga Springs, Selden, Rochester, and New York City (Manhattan). Part-time telecommuting option available.

Additional Information:

Rank/Salary:Staff Associate, SL4 / $80,000 - $85,000, dependent upon experience and qualifications.

We are pleased to offer our employees an excellent benefit package which includes NYS health insurance, free dental and vision, competitive retirement options, and generous vacation, sick and holiday accruals; and a strong emphasis on work-life balance. We also offer professional-development activities for professionals and support staff.

SUNY Empire is an AA/EEO/ADA employer. The University actively seeks applications from women, veterans, individuals with a disability, members of underrepresented groups or anyone that would enrich the diversity of the University. SUNY Empire is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, or criminal conviction. Employees, students, applicants, or other members of the university community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.

SUNY Empire provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, veterans, or wounded warriors where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at [phone] ext. 2240.

In accordance with the Title II Crime Awareness and Security Act, a copy of our crime statistics is available upon request by calling [phone], ext. 2800. It can also be viewed online at our Safety and Security website: www.sunyempire.edu/safety-security/.

Application Instructions:

Applications Due By: Applications accepted until position is filled.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit the following documents, which are required for consideration by clicking on the APPLY NOW button:

• Resume
• Name and contact information of three references

See the FAQ for using our online system. Please contact us if you need assistance applying through this website.

Returning Applicants - Please click here to login to your Empire State University Employment Account to check your completed application or to update your account.