Executive Director of Work-Learning Advantage - Grant Funded

Mchenry-County-College; Crystal Lake (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

McHenry County College is seeking an Executive Director of Work-Learning Advantage to lead a collegewide WBL ecosystem. The role aligns MCC programs with regional workforce needs and equitable student success, overseeing the Title III grant and ensuring implementation of career-connected learning opportunities.

The leader will supervise staff, build partnerships with employers and academia, and monitor program outcomes. A Bachelor’s degree and grant-management experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and progressive admin responsibilities in workforce development or higher education.
• Experience with work-based learning (WBL) models, community college systems, or workforce trends.
• Strong planning, Partnership development, and data analysis.
• Project management experience and ability to lead across departments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a collegewide vision and strategic plan for work-based learning aligned with MCC’s priorities.
• Supervise Title III activities and achieve Work-Learning Advantage objectives.
• Lead initiatives to ensure access to career-connected learning for all students.
• Hire, train, motivate, manage, and evaluate staff for peak performance.
• Oversee WBL models including apprenticeships, internships, and cooperative education.
• Partner with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Workforce Development for program integration.
• Develop tracking and reporting systems to monitor student participation and outcomes.
• Collaborate with faculty to recruit students and employers across WBL spectrum.
• Cultivate partnerships with regional employers and community leaders.
• Monitor implementation of WBL project objectives and evaluate effectiveness.
• Prepare and maintain detailed records, reports, and data.
• Guide development of grant management guidelines and compliance.
• Maintain files and documentation to meet grant requirements and policies.
• Embed career readiness and WBL across the College beyond grant period.
• Ensure WBL aligns with curriculum, credentials, and labor market needs.
• Collaborate with faculty on learning outcomes and employer engagement.
• Support faculty in embedding experiential learning and grant goals.
• Assume additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Strategic planning

Partnership development

Data analysis

Communication

Collaboration

Project management

Diversity commitment

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree from regionally accredited institution

Administrative responsibility in workforce development or higher education

Experience with WBL models, community college systems or workforce trends

Project management experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

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

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.

• 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

• 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)