Program Director - AOE International

TLN Worldwide Enterprises Inc; Champaign (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

AOE International seeks a strategic Director to lead the Clean Jobs Workforce Hub in the assigned Illinois region. You will manage grant activities, supervise a multi-person team, and serve as the primary liaison for DCEO and the region's Energy Transition Navigator.

The role requires substantial management experience in workforce development, strong partnership-building skills, and a focus on equitable outcomes across program delivery and training pathways.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in workforce development, education, public administration, business or related field.
• Five+ years of management experience in workforce development or career services.
• Experience managing deliverables, budgets, compliance and reporting under a public grant.
• Ability to build partnerships with employers, unions and community organizations.
• Knowledge of the region's labor market; construction or clean energy familiarity preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary contact for grant management and regional administrator, responding to programmatic, monitoring and technical-assistance requests.
• Plan post-award activities with the Navigator and finalize the joint project work plan, training capacity plan, referral plan and participant handoffs.
• Manage delivery against Year 1 targets: enrolled, in training, pathway completers and placements.
• Hire and supervise Hub staff, set operating procedures, ensure compliance with authorizations.
• Oversee equity in delivery and adjust services to close gaps identified by data.

Skills

Strategy development

Team leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Budgeting

Public administration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Description

AOE International is a non-profit organization focused on community support and development, with a strong emphasis on workforce development and education. We partner with various organizations to address social needs, including poverty, access to resources, and educational opportunities.

Position summary

Lead AOE International's Clean Jobs Workforce Hub in the assigned region. The Director manages the grant day to day, supervises a team of 14 to 21, and is the primary contact for DCEO and for the region's Energy Transition Navigator.

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Serve as the primary contact for DCEO's grant manager and regional administrator, and respond to programmatic, monitoring and technical-assistance requests.
• Take part in the post-award planning period with the Navigator and agree the joint project work plan, the training capacity plan, the referral plan and participant handoffs.
• Manage delivery against the Year 1 targets: 275 to 400 enrolled, 225 to 335 in training, 140 to 217 pathway completers and 75 to 110 placements.
• Hire and supervise Hub staff, set operating procedures, and make sure each staff member holds the Department authorization their work requires.
• Oversee the Barrier Reduction and participant income support policies and approve exceptions.
• Review enrollment, attendance, completion and placement data each month with the team and correct course when a cohort or a group of participants is falling behind.
• Approve reports for accuracy before submission and lead preparation for DCEO monitoring visits.
• Keep equity at the center of delivery: review who enrolls, completes and is placed, and change services when the data show a gap.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in workforce development, education, public administration, business or a related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Five or more years of management experience in workforce development, occupational training or career services, including supervision of a multi-function team.
• Experience managing deliverables, budgets, compliance and reporting under a public grant.
• Demonstrated ability to build working partnerships with employers, unions and community organizations.
• Knowledge of the assigned region's communities and labor market; knowledge of the construction or clean energy industry preferred