Executive Director of Work-Learning Advantage - Grant Funded

McHenry County College; Bull Valley (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

McHenry County College seeks an Executive Director of Work-Learning Advantage to strategically lead the collegewide WBL ecosystem, aligning programs with regional workforce needs and equitable student success.

The role oversees the Title III Strengthening Institutions Program grant and partners with faculty, staff, and community leaders to expand career-connected learning and improve outcomes beyond the grant period.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; progressive leadership experience in workforce development or higher education.
• Experience with work-based learning (WBL) models, community college systems, or workforce trends.
• Project management experience is essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a collegewide vision and strategic plan for work-based learning.
• Provide supervision of Title III activities and ensure program objectives.
• Lead initiatives to broaden access to career-connected learning opportunities.
• Supervise staff including hiring, training, and performance evaluations.
• Oversee design and improvement of WBL models (apprenticeships, internships, coop).
• Collaborate with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Workforce Development for integration of WBL.
• Track and report student participation and program outcomes.

Skills

Excellent organizational skills

Strategic planning

Data analysis

Communication

Independent yet collaborative

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Workweek

40 hours | Flexible schedule to meet department needs, which may include evenings and weekends | This is a grant-funded position.

Position Summary

The Executive Director of Work-Learning Advantage provides strategic leadership and oversight for the development, implementation, and scaling of a comprehensive, collegewide work-based learning (WBL) ecosystem. The Executive Director will inspire and mobilize faculty, staff, employers, and community partners to reimagine how the College prepares students for purposeful careers, lifelong learning, and success in a rapidly changing world. This leader will plan, organize, direct functions and activities of the Title III Strengthening Institutions Program Grant: Work-Learning Advantage. This role ensures alignment between MCC academic programs, regional workforce needs, and equitable student success outcomes.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a collegewide vision and strategic plan for work-based learning aligned with MCC’s institutional priorities
• Provide overall supervision of Title III activities and ensure accomplishment of Work-Learning Advantage project objectives, including advancing access to career-connected learning opportunities
• Lead initiatives that remove barriers between education and opportunity, ensuring that students from all backgrounds have access to the experiences, relationships, and skills that support career success and economic mobility
• Supervise and direct staff. This involves hiring, training, motivating, managing, and evaluating so the team performs at the highest level possible
• Oversee the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of WBL models, including apprenticeships, internships, and cooperative education
• Partner with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Workforce Development to ensure integration of WBL across academic programs
• Develop, implement, and maintain tracking and reporting systems to monitor student participation in Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunities, and assess program outcomes and effectiveness
• Work with faculty on the recruitment of students and employers across the WBL spectrum
• Cultivate transformative partnerships with regional employers and community leaders that enrich student learning, strengthen the regional workforce, and create mutually beneficial opportunities for students and businesses
• Monitor the implementation of the Work-Learning Advantage project objectives and ensure the evaluation of their effectiveness
• Direct the preparation and maintenance of detailed and comprehensive records, reports and files; ensure the collection, recording and reporting of required performance data
• Develop and distribute project management guidelines presented in the Title III Policies and Procedures Handbook
• Develop, and maintain files, reports, and documentation to comply with the grant requirements, as well as College policies and procedures
• Guide the development of innovative, sustainable systems and practices that embed career readiness and work-based learning throughout the College, ensuring the initiative's impact extends well beyond the federal grant period
• Ensure WBL’s alignment with curriculum, credentials, and labor market needs
• Collaborate with faculty on standards for learning outcomes and employer engagement
• Foster partnerships with employers, workforce boards, and economic development organizations
• Support faculty in embedding experiential learning and additional grant goals
• Assume additional duties as assigned by immediate supervisor

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution

Evidence of increasing levels of administrative responsibilities in workforce development or higher education

Experience with WBL models, community college systems, and/or workforce trends

Project management experience

Desired Qualifications

Previous experience with building and/or leading a successful WBL program

Previous experience with grant management

Skills and Specifications

• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to establish and grow internal and external strategic partnerships
• Strong strategic planning, communication, and data analysis skills
• Ability to work independently, yet have a strong collaborative spirit with the ability to develop productive working relationships at all levels
• Strong analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Commitment and respect for diversity
• Commitment to the College’s mission, vision, values, and goals

Supervisory Relationships/Direct Reports

• Program Assistant
• Work-Learning Coaches (3)

Equal Employment Opportunity

McHenry County College declares and reaffirms a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination. The College will make all decisions regarding admission, employment, participation in educational programs, or activities, without discrimination on grounds of race, color, creed or religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, marital status, physical or mental disabilities, military status, sexual orientation, gender-related identity, pregnancy, unfavorable discharge from military service, or other factors prohibited by law. Decisions regarding employment include hiring, promotion, termination, wages or salaries, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment.

MCC is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible college community.

To request reasonable accommodation to participate in any aspect of the hiring process, contact Human Resources at [e-mail].