Workforce Development & Inclusion Specialist

OU Health; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

401(k)

Medical and dental plans

Job summary

OU Health seeks a Senior Workforce Development & Inclusion Specialist to lead enterprise workforce development and belonging/inclusion initiatives. You will design, implement, and evaluate programs, drive data-informed decisions, and partner across functions to strengthen OU Health’s workforce pipeline and inclusive culture.

You will manage cross-functional programs, engage with community partners, and provide governance and leadership guidance while preparing executive-level reports and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5+ years in HR, talent development, workforce development, education, community engagement or related field.
• SHRM-SCP or SPHR certification within 12 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the operational lead for Workforce Development and Belonging & Inclusion programs, owning end-to-end execution.
• Support the Director in defining and communicating strategy for Workforce Development & Belonging and Inclusion.
• Lead strategic initiatives to strengthen workforce pathways and inclusion enterprise-wide.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of workforce development programs (Health Career Explorers, MHA Fellows, Internships).
• Build partnerships with community organizations, schools, and industry groups to expand career access in healthcare.
• Provide governance support for OU Health Belonging Networks and align with enterprise strategy.
• Act as liaison between Belonging Network leaders and executive sponsors for visibility and alignment.
• Promote programs through communications and employee engagement activities.
• Lead data collection, analysis, and insights to assess program impact and drive improvements.
• Identify opportunities for process optimization and scalability within programs.
• Prepare and deliver reports and recommendations to senior leaders.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Data analysis

Project management

Communication

Collaborative leadership

Emotional intelligence

Executive presence

Change management

Diversity & inclusion

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/OD/BA or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

## Senior Workforce Development & Inclusion SpecialistApply: Oklahoma City: Full time: Posted Today: R0070330## **Position Title:**Senior Workforce Development & Inclusion Specialist## **Department:**Human Resources## **Job Description:**The Senior Workforce Development and Inclusion Specialist serves as a strategic program lead responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating enterprise workforce development and belonging and inclusion initiatives. This role independently manages complex programs, builds cross-functional relationships, and uses data to drive decision-making and operational excellence. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, strong collaborator, and influential partner who leads initiatives that strengthen OU Health’s workforce pipeline, support inclusive culture, and advance the organization’s goal of remaining Oklahoma’s Employer of Choice.**Essential Responsibilities:***Responsibilities listed in this section are core to the position. Inability to perform these responsibilities, with or without an accommodation, may result in disqualification from the position.** Serve as the operational lead for key Workforce Development and Belonging & Inclusion programs, owning end-to-end program execution and continuous improvement.* Support the Director in defining, operationalizing, and communicating the Workforce Development & Belonging and Inclusion strategy.* Develop and implement strategic initiatives that strengthen workforce pathways and advance belonging and inclusion across the enterprise.* Lead the daily operations and strategic execution of workforce development programs (Healthcare Career Explorers, MHA Fellows, Internships, etc.), ensuring high-quality participant experience and strong outcomes.* Build and manage partnerships with community organizations, nonprofits, schools, and industry groups to strengthen engagement and expand access to careers in healthcare.* Provide advanced governance support for OU Health Belonging Networks, including alignment to enterprise B&I strategy, impact measurement, and leadership guidance.* Serve as a liaison between Belonging Network leaders and executive sponsors, supporting visibility, influence, and strategic alignment.* Promote workforce development and inclusion programs through communications, presentations, and employee engagement strategies.* Lead data collection, analysis, and insight development to measure program effectiveness, making data-driven recommendations for improvement.* Identify opportunities for process optimization, scalability, and enhanced efficiency within workforce and inclusion programs.* Prepare and deliver reports, presentations, and recommendations to senior leaders.* Provide informal leadership, subject matter expertise, and guidance to Workforce Development & Inclusion Specialists, coordinators, or interns as appropriate.* Manage complex, cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives with minimal supervision.* Complete ad hoc and special projects based on organizational needs.**General Responsibilities:*** Performs other duties as assigned.**Minimum Qualifications:****Education:** Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or a related field required.**Experience:** At least 5 years of experience in Human Resources, Talent Development, Workforce Development, Education, Community Engagement or a related field required.**License(s)/Certification(s)/Registration(s) Required:**SHRM-SCP or SPHR certification at the time of hire or attainment within 12 months of hire.**Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:*** In-depth understanding of workforce development and inclusion principles, with the ability to apply them in an organizational setting.* Ability to envision and communicate the strategic vision for the department.* High cultural competency with the ability to navigate and appreciate different perspectives and backgrounds.* Maintain high emotional intelligence to support employees in sensitive situations.* Strong executive presence that inspires and drive organizational change.* Remains current on industry trends, best practices, and emergent issues related to Workforce Development and Inclusion.* Effective project management skills to plan and execute.* Proficient in data analysis and interpretation to assess the impact of workforce development and inclusion initiatives.* Collaborative leadership style, with the ability to build strong relationships and work effectively with stakeholders at all levels.* Exhibits follow-through and meets deadlines effectively and efficiently.* Know how to advocate and address employee-related challenges (bias, discrimination, etc.) with solid conflict resolution skills.* Knows how to think proactively and use critical thinking skills to develop innovative and creative solutions to overcome organizational barriers.* Ability to develop quick turn-around, practical recommendations based on data and research to inform strategic decisions.* Excellent and practical oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex information in an approachable manner.* Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).## **Current OU Health Employees - Please click** HERE **to login.**## **OU Health is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including PTO, 401(k), medical and dental plans, and many more. We know that a total benefits and compensation package, designed to meet your specific needs both inside and outside of the work environment, create peace of mind for you and your family.**