Training Institute Manager

Custom Collaborative; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Sick Leave

Personal Days

Job summary

Custom Collaborative is seeking a Training Manager to lead the Training Institute in New York. The role combines teaching sewing and design with program oversight, data management, and stakeholder relationships.

You will supervise adjunct instructors, develop curricula, and drive admissions while collaborating with staff, mentors, and partners to advance economic mobility for immigrant and low-income participants.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in garment construction, pattern making, sewing, and fitting.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience teaching, training, or facilitating for adult learners.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills.
• Strong interpersonal and cultural competency; experience with immigrant and low-income communities.
• Proficiency with basic office software and tools such as Google Workspace, Canva, and Monday.com.

Responsibilities

• Teach core design, pattern drafting, sewing, and basic professional development to participants, alongside adjunct instructors.
• Develop and enhance curricula to meet evolving industry needs.
• Recommend and vet adjunct instructors for specialized modules.
• Manage 1-2 direct reports (Teaching Assistant) each program cycle.
• Coordinate day-to-day program operations, recruitment, admissions, and participant mentorship.
• Build and maintain relationships with volunteers, mentors, and external partners.

Skills

Garment construction

Pattern making

Sewing

Teaching adults

Presentation skills

Interpersonal skills

Cultural competency

Google Workspace

Canva

Monday.com

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design or related field

Tools

Google Workspace

Canva

Monday.com

Job description

Training Manager | Custom Collaborative Training Institute

New York, NY

About Custom Collaborative

Custom Collaborative (CC) trains, mentors, and advocates for and with low and no income and immigrant women to build skills necessary for economic success in the sustainable fashion industry and broader society. Through learning, building strong networks, and using their new skills, our participants overcome barriers to business ownership and employment, and ultimately, change the economics of the fashion industry.

About the Program

The Training Institute supports a cohort of a minimum of 12 students per training cohort. The 15-week training program teaches the art, craft, technique, and business of garment making and selling. Our flexible curriculum responds to student feedback and offers cooperative learning experiences that build leadership and teamwork skills. Participants graduate with the skills and knowledge required for entry-level careers in the fashion industry, independent businesses and overall greater economic mobility. with few in-demand job skills. Our support leads women to living-wage careers.

About the Position

Reporting to the Director of Programs, the Training Manager leads Custom Collaborative's Training Institute. This is a leadership role that includes teaching sewing and design, supplemented with adjunct instructors. The Manager must have proficient administrative skills to upkeep and update program data and metrics routinely. The Manager owns recruitment and admissions, day-to-day program operations, and relationship management with participants, mentors, and external partners. The Manager is a dynamic leader with strong facilitation skills and serves as the primary point of contact and mentor for students throughout the program. The Manager is expected to collaborate closely with the Director of Programs, Success Manager, staff members, volunteers, and external partners. All CC team members support and assist with fundraising efforts.

Responsibilities

Teaching and Curriculum - 60%

• Teach core design, pattern drafting, sewing, and basic professional development to participants, alongside adjunct instructors
• Develop and enhance curricula to meet evolving industry needs
• Recommend and vet adjunct instructors and facilitators for specialized modules
• Manage 1-2 direct reports (Teaching Assistant) each program cycle.
• Facilitate Pre-Training Institute week and student onboarding

Program Operations and Administration - 15%

• Coordinate day-to-day administration including maintenance of program and participant reports, managing communications, track program outcomes, and assist with participant mentorship and tracking structures.
• Manage participant assessments, including sewing machine audits and skills evaluations

Recruitment and Admissions - 10%

• Lead and execute recruitment strategy, including outreach and open houses and participation in recruitment events.
• Lead the entire admissions and screening process including application review, conducting candidate assessments with colleagues, interviews.
• Serve as a central recruitment partner for the organization

Relationship and Stakeholder Management - 10%

• Coordinate with and organize volunteers, mentors, and guest speakers
• Build and maintain relationships with external partners, including brands, cultural institutions, and community organizations
• Collaborate with the Success Manager, Director of Programs, and other colleagues on cross-program initiatives

Fashion Showcase Support - 5%

• Support participant readiness for graduation, including business plan development and final look preparation, in partnership with the Director of Programs, who leads graduation logistics and planning

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in garment construction, pattern making, sewing, and fitting
• Minimum of 2 years of experience teaching, training, or facilitating for adult learners
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills
• Strong interpersonal and cultural competency skills. Experience working with immigrant, low-income, and other vulnerable communities.
• Proficiency with basic computer and office software and project management tools such as Google Workspace, Canva, Monday.com etc.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandising, Textile Studies, or a Related Field
• Experience working in a growth-stage organization
• Fashion industry experience beyond garment construction, such as merchandising, production, or retail
• Proficiency in project management; experience with program administration, including maintaining
• Experience in nonprofit or workforce development spaces

This is a full-time, in-person role, Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Salary is $65,000 - $72,000 per year based on experience. Custom Collaborative offers a benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance; a retirement plan that employees can contribute to, paid vacation, sick leave, and personal days.

Custom Collaborative is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All candidates for employment are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, physical disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.