Sr Director of Workforce and Community Engagement

Goodwill NYNJ; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement matching

Transit and commuter benefits

Generous time-off policy

Job summary

Goodwill NYNJ is seeking a Senior Director of Workforce and Community Engagement to provide strategic leadership across employment, recovery, peer leadership, and systems transformation initiatives in New York City. You will oversee multiple programs, ensure regulatory compliance, and cultivate partnerships with funders, government agencies, and employers.

The role requires a Master's degree and at least five years of senior leadership experience in behavioral health or workforce development,

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work, Rehabilitation Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, Psychology, or related field required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic plans for employment, recovery, peer leadership, and workforce innovation initiatives.
• Lead multiple program portfolios to achieve contractual outcomes, quality standards, and financial performance.
• Report to SVP on workforce development impact and collaborate on cross-divisional priorities.
• Build and maintain partnerships with mental health providers, community organizations, employers, and funders.
• Champion equity-centered program innovation and peer leadership across Employment & Recovery Services.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Program oversight

Staff development

Stakeholder engagement

Budget management

Education

Master's degree (Social Work or related)

Tools

IPS Supported Employment

Job description

Position Title: Senior Director of Workforce and Community Engagement

Location: NYC – 4 Major Boroughs

Benefit Classification: Full-Time Benefitted

Position Type: FLSA – Exempt

About This Role

The Senior Director of Workforce and Community Engagement provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and program innovation across Goodwill's employment, recovery, peer leadership, and systems transformation initiatives — including multiple City-funded programs supporting workforce development for individuals with significant mental illness. This role is accountable for program outcomes, regulatory compliance, and fidelity to evidence-based models, while cultivating community and employer partnerships and advancing equitable, person-centered workforce innovation. The Senior Director supervises program directors and multidisciplinary staff, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, accessibility, and continuous improvement.

This role serves as a key organizational leader, representing Goodwill with funders, government agencies, behavioral health providers, employers, advocacy organizations, and community stakeholders.

Essential Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Growth

• Develop and implement strategic plans that advance employment, recovery, peer leadership, and workforce innovation initiatives, and identify opportunities for program expansion and sustainable growth.
• Lead multiple program portfolios to achieve organizational goals, contractual outcomes, quality standards, and financial performance; recruit, develop, coach, and retain high-performing teams.
• Report to the SVP on workforce development impact across BHS programs and join a broader mission leadership team spanning program areas beyond this role's direct portfolio — collaborating on cross-divisional initiatives, shared employer engagement strategy, and other mission-wide priorities.
• Build and maintain relationships with mental health providers, community organizations, employers, government agencies, funders, and workforce development partners; represent Goodwill on advisory councils, coalitions, and public forums.
• Champion peer leadership and equity-centered program innovation — expanding leadership pathways for individuals with lived experience, embedding peer support principles across Employment & Recovery Services, and ensuring participants and peer advocates are genuine partners in program design and evaluation.

Program Operations & Compliance

• Oversee day-to-day operations of Behavioral Health Workforce and Community Engagement programs, including directors and multidisciplinary staff.
• Establish performance expectations and professional development plans; conduct regular supervision, evaluations, and field mentoring.
• Foster an inclusive, psychologically safe workplace that values diversity, lived experience, and collaboration.
• Ensure compliance with contract requirements, regulatory standards, and organizational policies.
• Monitor program outcomes, contract performance, and quality assurance indicators; drive continuous quality improvement.
• Develop and monitor program metrics (employer engagement, employment and placement, recruitment and referrals, retention milestones, staff retention/turnover, etc.) and use data to identify trends, improve services, and inform decisions.
• Build sustainable systems for participant feedback and continuous learning.
• Manage multiple budgets and ensure efficient use of financial and human resources.
• Support contract implementation and sustainability planning.
• Prepare and present reports for funders, executive leadership, and internal/external stakeholders.

Qualifications

Education: Master's degree in Social Work, Rehabilitation Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, Psychology, or related field required. Licensure or advanced certification preferred.

Experience

• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in behavioral health, workforce development, vocational rehabilitation, peer services, or related human services.
• Minimum three (3) years of supervisory experience managing managers and multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing multiple programs and contracts.
• Experience with IPS Supported Employment strongly preferred.
• Experience supervising peer support or lived experience initiatives preferred.
• Experience leading systems change, organizational development, or co-design initiatives preferred.
• Strong experience working with government contracts and public funding.
• Experience developing community partnerships and employer engagement strategies.

Special Working Conditions

• Must be able to travel across the city using public transportation.

Additional Duties

This position may be required to perform additional duties consistent with organizational needs and strategic priorities.

What We Offer

• Generous time-off policy to use when you need it.
• Health, wellness, and financial resources to help you achieve your personal goals.
• Robust health benefits including medical, dental, vision, parental leave, and company-sponsored life insurance.
• Retirement matching programs and contributions.
• Transit and commuter benefits.