Workforce Operations and Partner Support Manager

Appalachian State University; Boone (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, seeks a Workforce Operations and Partner Support Manager to lead Region 3 cooperative education portfolio, build employer and training-site partnerships, and oversee participant placement and support.

The role coordinates internships, apprenticeships, paid work-based learning, and rural rotations with multiple partners; requires strategic oversight, data-driven program management, and staff supervision; schedule Mon-Fri 8-5; salary range $65,000–$70,000.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• At least five years of professional experience in cooperative education, career services, or workforce programs.
• At least two years of experience supervising staff or leading multi-partner programs.
• Experience developing employer partnerships and managing placement or work-based learning.
• Experience using participant and employer data to improve programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the Region 3 cooperative education portfolio with multiple internship and placement programs.
• Develop and maintain employer and training-site partnerships across health and workforce sectors.
• Oversee eligibility, advising, matching, placement, and support processes for participants.
• Supervise program delivery and coach staff across cohorts and partners.
• Monitor program quality, completion, placement, and retention, addressing barriers.
• Coordinate calendars, reporting, and compliance with university offices.

Skills

Project management

Staff supervision

Employer engagement

Data-driven decision making

Partnership development

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's preferred

Job description

Workforce Operations and Partner Support Manager

Department: Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness - 273600

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in career services, higher education, workforce development, education, counseling, public health, health sciences, human resources, business administration, or a related field.
• At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in cooperative education, career services, experiential learning, employer engagement, workforce pathways, healthcare workforce programs, or student and trainee services.
• At least two years of experience supervising staff or leading complex multi-partner programs.
• Demonstrated experience developing employer or training-site partnerships and managing participant placement or work-based learning programs.
• Demonstrated ability to use participant, employer, placement, and outcome data to improve programs.

License/Certification Required

No license or certification is required. Project management, workforce development, public health, clinical, or related certifications may be preferred where applicable.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Experience with rural health workforce programs, community college partnerships, clinical or field placements, apprenticeships, fellowships, rural residency, or academic-practice partnerships.
• Experience managing participant support, employer engagement, service-commitment, placement, or retention processes under a federal or state award.
• Experience supervising career-services or cooperative-program staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the Region 3 cooperative education portfolio. Establish consistent program models and timelines for internships, apprenticeships, paid work-based learning, clinical and field placements, fellowships, rural rotations, and other approved career experiences.
• Develop and maintain employer and training-site partnerships. Engage healthcare, public health, behavioral health, emergency services, community, education, and workforce partners; clarify program roles; identify opportunities; and support durable site and supervisor relationships.
• Oversee participant eligibility, advising, matching, placement, and support processes. Coordinate application and verification requirements, participant preparation, site matching, onboarding, approved participant supports, and applicable rural service-commitment documentation.
• Supervise cooperative-program delivery. Assign work and portfolios, coach the Workforce Pathways and Cooperative Programs Coordinator, review participant and site services, maintain consistent standards, and coordinate support from Technical Assistance Specialists.
• Monitor program quality, placement, and retention. Review participation, completion, credential, placement, employer, participant, service-commitment, and retention information; identify barriers; and implement or recommend corrective and improvement actions.
• Coordinate required operational controls and reporting. Maintain program calendars, role assignments, decisions, risks, and outcome records; prepare implementation summaries; and work with central University offices on agreements, payments, data, and compliance matters requiring their authority.

Work Schedule/Hours:Mon-Fri, 8:00-5:00 pm

Suggested Salary Range: $65,000–$70,000

Closing Date: 09/07/2026

Evaluation of Applications Begins: 09/04/2026

Proposed Date of Hire: 09/21/2026

Appalachian State University is an Aff…