Program Director, Workforce Development

FHI 360; New York (NY); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

FHI 360 is seeking a Workforce Program Director to lead a multi-million-dollar portfolio, directing program operations, compliance, and business development. The role reports to IWL's Portfolio Director and manages 10–15 staff while ensuring strategic alignment with workforce development goals.

Ideal candidates bring 15+ years in project management with strong leadership, and experience in workforce development, with PMP preferred. Salary range is USD 130,000–160,000 per year for US-based hiring.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field (e.g., Civil Society, Public Affairs, Education, or Development).
• PMP certification preferred.
• 15+ years of project management experience with leadership responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for a multi-million-dollar workforce portfolio.
• Oversee program operations, budgeting, staffing, and compliance with policies.
• Drive business development and funder relationships to grow the portfolio.
• Collaborate with donors, partners, and government agencies to expand impact.
• Supervise a team and foster a culture of learning and innovation.
• Ensure quality, timely deliverables and adherence to regulations.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Portfolio management

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Communication

Education

Master's Degree

PMP certification

Tools

Microsoft 365

SharePoint

Teams

Project management tools

Job description

FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization that mobilizes research, resources, and relationships so that people everywhere can access the opportunities they need to lead full, healthy lives. Our staff of more than 2,000 experts work in over 50 countries around the world. FHI 360's Institute for Work & Learning (IWL) creates thriving community ecosystems by connecting people with career and growth opportunities. Our team designs, implements, and evaluates initiatives focused on career readiness and workforce development to help businesses gain talent and individuals build the skills and experience they need to progress in their career pathways, contribute to their communities, and live successful lives.

The Workforce Program Director will lead a multi-million-dollar portfolio of programs, including an array of corporate-funded, Department of Labor, and Department of Justice projects. This leadership position will report to IWL's Learning & Workforce Development Portfolio Director and manage activities and oversee all program operations, provide strategic direction, support business development, and ensure compliance with policies and relevant regulations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

include but are not limited to:

Strategic Leadership & Quality Assurance

• Provides leadership and technical direction to existing Departments of Labor and Justice projects and new workforce projects, ensuring strategically coherent project direction, regulation compliance, high-quality and timely deliverables, and well-managed growth.
• Ensure the overall quality, financial health, and operational success of the projects in the workforce portfolio, overseeing all management functions, including management/ staffing, scopes of work, timeline, budget, and compliance with FHI 360 policies and procedures.
• Coordinates with other members of the leadership and management team on appropriate management, compliance, and performance standards, as well as effective systems for budget management, knowledge management, research, and best practices associated with the projects.
• Identifies and promotes workforce development trends to remain current and position FHI 360 for federal, state, tribal, local, corporations, and foundation investments.
• Fosters a culture of innovation, problem-solving, respect, openness, and learning within and between teams and among project stakeholders.
• Supports capacity building and contributes to IWL's overall strategic goals and assigned projects.
• Identifies areas for improved efficiency or effectiveness and develops process improvement initiatives including staff training to ensure compliance within prescribed parameters.
• Recommends solutions to management on strategy, operational, and business decisions.

Technical Leadership

• Exhibits extensive technical knowledge of key workforce development areas, including apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, credentialling/certifications, policy, and justice/reentry projects.
• Provides strategic leadership and technical direction, ensuring deliverables are consistent with best practices in the industry / subject and meet client / funder contractual obligations.
• Guides the development and continual refinement of frameworks, tools and resources, monitoring and learning approaches, and advocacy actions.
• Starts new workforce projects and trains staff on program design and implementation of said project.
• Ensures the project teams collect, document, and disseminate lessons learned and best practices, incorporating these into new project designs.

Collaboration & Communication

• Liaises with FHI 360 and IWL leadership to expand multi‑sector interventions.
• Forges and maintains solid cooperation and collaboration with donors, funders, partner organizations, and government agencies through regular communication, joint decision‑making, and sustainability of efforts.
• Increases the visibility of workforce projects within FHI 360 and among project stakeholders and external parties, where feasible and advisable.
• Maintains strong working relationships and consistent communication in a matrixed project environment with internal and external colleagues and program partners.

Staff Development

• Supervises a team of 10‑15 staff members.
• Emphasizes the importance of learning, productivity, accountability, and openness to ensure achievement of team and individual results.
• Facilitates performance management and professional development of direct reports by providing ongoing feedback, coaching, and challenging learning assignments and opportunities, supporting staff success and professional growth at FHI 360.
• Creates a climate in which people want to do their best.
• Fosters a culture of innovation, problem‑solving, respect, openness, and learning within and between teams and among project stakeholders

Business Development

• Leads business development efforts to maintain and grow the workforce development portfolio, including career and technical education, apprenticeship, work‑based learning opportunities, and justice / re‑entry workforce programming.
• Leads the proposal design and development efforts for sustainable IWL growth, proactively identifying opportunities for new programming initiatives and increasing the funder base.
• Identifies workforce trends, support business development and strategic growth with a focus on private sector and US federal/state government funding opportunities to position IWL as a thought partner and expert in responding to the changing workforce development needs and expanding opportunities for populations in underinvested communities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Master's Degree or its International Equivalent in Civil Society, Communication and Social Marketing, Economic Development, Education, the Environment, Gender, Health, Nutrition, Public Affairs / Policy Studies, Research, Technology, Youth Development, or a Related Field.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.

Experience

• 15+ years of relevant experience with project management principles and practices (including 8 years of demonstrated department‑level leadership, strong business acumen, or supervisory experience).
• Demonstrated experience in securing and implementing US workforce development projects including design, management and implementation.
• Demonstrated experience in workforce development, economic development, economic opportunity, or other related sectors; experience working with individuals involved with the justice system or other underrepresented groups a plus.

Preferred Experience

• Experience working in a non-governmental organization (NGO) and in an intermediary function.
• Business development and partnership growth responsibilities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of business development processes for government, foundations, and the private sector.
• Demonstrated ability to motivate and develop diverse, geographically dispersed teams.
• Strong strategic planning, business acumen, and portfolio management capabilities.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Ability to lead through complexity and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, SharePoint, Teams, and project management tools.

The expected US Based hiring salary range for this role is listed below.

Base salary is only one component of our offer. FHI 360 contributes 7% of monthly base pay to a money purchase pension plan account. Additionally, all US based staff working full‑time, which is calculated at 40 hours/week, receive 18 days of paid vacation per year, 12 sick days per year, and 11 holidays per year. Paid time off is reduced pro rata for employees working less than a full‑time schedule.

US Based Hiring Salary Range: USD $130,000 - $160,000 annually

International hiring ranges will differ based on location

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding:FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter‑Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants' previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant's tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

FHI 360 will never ask you for your career site username or password, and we will never request money, goods or services during the application, recruitment or employment process. If you have questions or concerns about correspondence from us, please email [e-mail].

FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through acompetitive benefits package, professional developmentand policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others - and yourself.