Senior Director Workforce Development & Education

Innovatis Group; United States; On-site; USD 126,000 - 154,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) with 5% match

Employer HSA contribution

Paid time off + holidays

Parental leave

Job summary

Innovatis Group is seeking a Senior Director, Workforce Development & Education to lead IEC National’s workforce strategy, programs, and priorities. This role shapes workforce development for the electrical contracting industry, from attracting talent to career development and continuing education.

The leader will assess industry needs, identify gaps, and translate priorities into practical programs, training, and partnerships.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in the skilled trades, workforce development, education and training, construction, association leadership, organizational leadership, or a related field.
• Demonstrated subject matter expertise in the skilled trades or related industries.
• Strong understanding of how workforce recruitment, apprenticeship, training, employment, retention, and career advancement connect.
• Experience setting strategy for a significant area of work and leading a team to implement it.
• Experience leading multiple programs, teams, or areas of responsibility and evaluating opportunities based on need, value, cost, resources, and results.
• Experience developing, expanding, or improving apprenticeship, education, training, workforce, or industry programs and content.
• Experience leading and developing staff, building support across varied stakeholders, and moving work forward through others.
• Experience building relationships with business owners, industry leaders, volunteers, partners, or other stakeholders.
• Experience managing budgets and using data and financial information to make decisions and measure progress.
• Strong facilitation, written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to travel nationally.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead IEC's workforce and education strategy, defining priority audiences, needs, outcomes, and a clear roadmap for current and future work.
• Anticipate changing contractor and electrical industry needs by understanding workforce demand, skills, career pathways, technology, and training needs.
• Guide the strategy and continued evolution of IEC’s apprenticeship, technical education, career development, leadership training, credentials, continuing education, and other workforce programs.
• Lead staff, Chapters, committees, and subject matter experts in moving education priorities from concept through development, launch, and ongoing improvement.
• Advance the use of technology and new approaches to education that improve quality, accessibility, consistency, and reach across IEC programs nationwide.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Workforce development

Stakeholder management

Budget management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Innovatis Group is seeking a Senior Director, Workforce Development & Education to lead IEC National’s workforce development and education strategy, programs, and priorities. The Senior Director will shape how IEC prepares the electrical contracting workforce for current and future industry needs, from attracting people to the trade and apprenticeship through career development, leadership, and continuing education.

This leader will assess contractor and industry needs, identify gaps and emerging opportunities, and determine where IEC should focus its resources and expertise. The Senior Director will turn those priorities into practical programs, training, resources, and partnerships that strengthen the electrical contracting workforce and advance IEC’s role in the industry.

This is a senior leadership role that combines strategy with execution. The Senior Director sets direction, leads the team responsible for implementation, and brings together staff, Chapters, committees, subject matter experts, and external partners to move priorities from idea to execution. Deep knowledge of the skilled trades is essential. Electrical contracting experience is preferred but not required.

Key Responsibilities:

Workforce Strategy & Industry Needs

• Set and lead IEC's workforce and education strategy, defining priority audiences, needs, outcomes, and a clear roadmap for current and future work.
• Anticipate changing contractor and electrical industry needs by understanding changing workforce demand, technical skills, career pathways, technology, and training needs.
• Use contractor feedback, Chapter input, participation data, program results, industry research, and workforce data to identify gaps set priorities, and guide IEC’s workforce and education strategy.
• Identify emerging workforce and education opportunities and recommend where IEC should lead, invest, partner, or develop new capabilities.
• Bring forward the research, industry expertise, and outside perspectives needed to guide major workforce and education decisions and future priorities.
• Set the direction for IEC’s workforce, apprenticeship, education, and career development programs, ensuring they respond to current contractor needs while preparing IEC for where the electrical industry is headed.
• Guide the strategy and continued evolution of IEC’s apprenticeship, technical education, career development, leadership training, credentials, continuing education, and other workforce programs.
• Evaluate IEC’s existing programs for relevance, quality, participation, financial performance, and value to contractors and Chapters, including whether the target audience, delivery approach, and pricing strategy are clearly defined and effective. Determine where programs should be strengthened, expanded, redesigned, or discontinued.
• Identify gaps in IEC’s education and workforce offerings and lead the development of new programs, resources, credentials, and approaches when there is a clear industry need.
• Establish the business case and expectations for new programs, including the audience, intended outcome, delivery approach, pricing, resources, ongoing maintenance, and measures of success.
• Determine when IEC should develop programs internally, expand successful Chapter programs, engage outside expertise, or partner with other organizations.
• Lead staff, Chapters, committees, and subject matter experts in moving education priorities from concept through development, launch, and ongoing improvement.
• Advance the use of technology and new approaches to education that improve the quality, accessibility, consistency, and reach of IEC programs nationwide.

Strategic Partnerships & Industry Engagement

• Set priorities for partnerships and sponsorships that advance IEC's workforce, education, research, technology, content, and broader organizational goals.
• Guide the team for developing and managing partnership and sponsorship relationships with manufacturers, industry and workforce organizations, educational institutions, credentialing bodies, technology providers, and other partners.
• Define the intended value and outcomes of major relationships, evaluate existing partnerships, and determine what should continue, grow, change, or end.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead and develop the Workforce & Education team by setting clear goals, priorities, ownership, timelines, and measures of success; delegating meaningful authority; and holding the team accountable for results and follow-through.
• Bring together IEC staff, Chapters, committees, subject matter experts, and partners around shared priorities, building support while making timely decisions.
• Partner across membership, Chapter relations, government affairs, events, marketing, and other teams to connect priorities and move initiatives from strategy to implementation.
• Ensure Chapters can understand, access, promote, and effectively use IEC's workforce and education resources.
• Set annual budget priorities and understand the cost, revenue, resource requirements, and long-term sustainability of major programs and investments.
• Evaluate opportunities based on contractor need, value, accessibility, competitive position, available resources, and likely results.
• Establish clear measures of success and define the data needed to understand participation, outcomes, gaps, and impact.
• Review program and financial performance, use results to adjust priorities, and recommend where IEC should increase, reduce, or redirect resources.
• Ensure major decisions are followed by practical implementation plans, clear ownership, timelines, and accountability.

Requirements:

• 8 or more years of progressively responsible experience in the skilled trades, workforce development, education and training, construction, association leadership, organizational leadership, or a related field.
• Demonstrated subject matter expertise in the skilled trades, developed through direct industry experience or extensive work serving contractors and trades employers.
• Strong understanding of how workforce recruitment, apprenticeship, training, employment, retention, and career advancement connect.
• Experience setting strategy for a significant area of work and leading a team to implement it.
• Experience leading multiple programs, teams, or areas of responsibility and evaluating opportunities based on need, value, cost, resources, and results.
• Experience developing, expanding, or improving apprenticeship, education, training, workforce, or industry programs and content.
• Experience leading and developing staff, building support across varied stakeholders, and moving work forward through others.
• Experience building relationships with business owners, industry leaders, volunteers, partners, or other stakeholders.
• Experience managing budgets and using data and financial information to make decisions and measure progress.
• Strong facilitation, written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to travel nationally.

Preferred:

• Experience in electrical contracting or the electrical industry.
• Experience with apprenticeship, career and technical education, or work-based learning.
• Experience with an association, Chapter or affiliate network, or volunteer-led organization.
• Experience developing strategic partnerships, sponsorships, or other industry relationships.
• Familiarity with education technology, credentials, certifications, or new approaches to training.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience.

The base salary for this position starts at $140k annually, with final compensation based on experience and qualifications.

Location:

Remote with national travel required

• Medical, dental & vision and a suite of other ancillary benefits
• 401(k) with 5% match (Roth or Traditional) after 6 months
• Employer HSA contribution
• PTO: generous upon start + unlimited PTO after 1 year; 10 paid company holidays
• Paid parental leave after 1 year: 12 weeks maternity / 4 weeks paternity

About Innovatis Group:

At Innovatis Group, we’re not just one of the fastest-growing association management companies; we’re committed to redefining partnership and impact. We blend strategic innovation with execution, helping clients drive meaningful results while supporting their broader goals. If you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and enjoy collaborating with industry-leading brands, Innovatis Group offers the tools, team, and environment to help you make a lasting impact.

Benefits, perks, compensation, and work arrangements are subject to change and may vary based on role, location, or business needs.

Innovatis Group is an equal opportunity employer and aspires to be a leader in fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where every individual is empowered to bring their whole self to work. We commit to embracing and promoting diversity in all its forms, ensuring equitable opportunities, and cultivating an inclusive culture that respects and values differences. Together, we will drive better outcomes for our employees, our clients, and our community.

About IEC

The Independent Electrical Contractors Association (IEC) is a national trade association representing approximately 4,500 members and 22,000 apprentices with the goal of promoting the highest standards of skilled trade professionalism in the electrical and systems industry. IEC provides its members with top-tier educational resources, advocacy, networking opportunities, and industry-specific training programs. Dedicated to fostering growth and innovation, IEC supports its members in delivering safe, efficient, and reliable electrical services, ensuring a competitive and sustainable industry. Membership is supported in a federated model with approximately 50 chapters, offering localized support and resources to enhance member success and facilitate apprenticeship programming.