Workforce Project Director (816030)

Equus; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Equus Workforce Solutions in New Orleans leads a customer-focused workforce delivery program under WIOA. The role drives leadership, budgeting, and contract performance while ensuring compliant operations and strong stakeholder relationships.

You will oversee staff, set performance targets, and coordinate with funders and partners to meet program goals and deliver high-quality service to job seekers and employers.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience in workforce development or related field.
• Four years of supervisory experience.
• Bachelor's degree preferred in business, public relations, marketing, human resources, or related field.
• Proficient with Microsoft Excel & Word applications.
• Excellent communication skills (spoken and written).
• Valid Louisiana driver’s license; travel to centers and partner sites is expected.

Responsibilities

• Leads the team with direction, transparency and purpose.
• Sets clear expectations and ensures accountability across staff.
• Manages contract delivery, performance targets and risk.
• Maintains positive relationships with funders, employers and partners.
• Oversees budgeting, financial reporting and compliance.
• Ensures staff understand quality standards and reports results.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Strategic planning

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Company Description

Our work at the New Orleans Workforce Development Board centers around the need to build a collaborative, customer focused system that meets the needs of the business community and job seekers across all populations. Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA), Equus Workforce Services (EWS) is responsible for the delivery of services to Adults, Dislocated Workers and Youth populations within the local workforce area. As the Operator of JOB1, we are responsible for collaborating with partners to serve shared clients through coordinated service delivery.

We help job seekers and career changers prepare for and advance in careers with a focus on sustainable, high-growth, high-demand industries. Our committed and well-trained workforce professionals deliver comprehensive workforce solutions at integrated career centers, sector-focused centers and community, and partner sites.

Job Description

Leadership

• Leads the team with clear direction, transparency and a sense of purpose.
• Creates a foundation of trust with the team so that the right level of support and guidance can always be provided.
• Makes decisions based on analysing the situation, understanding the data and assessing risk.
• Foster a positive, inclusive and accountable culture while promoting the company mission, vision, values, and brand
• Foster a motivational, collaborative, and innovative work environment.

Management

• Set clear expectations for all team members, ensure accountability, and appropriately and quickly. address human resources and team concerns.
• Assures that all staff are trained and meet performance standards as outlined by the contract.
• Manage human resource responsibilities such hiring, coaching, disciplining (when appropriate) in coordination with the corporate HR team.
• Ensures that all individuals have a detailed overview of the contract when they start so that expectations are understood from the beginning.

Operational Delivery

• Manages successful implementation of a welfare and workforce services contract assuring that all contractual commitments are met.
• Fully understanding the performance targets for the contract and filtering this down to the team.
• Ultimately responsible for adherence to federal, state, and local policies as well as Workforce Services policies and procedures.
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with the funding source, area employers and all workforce partners to optimize funding, customer satisfaction and community relations.
• Facilitates project accomplishments and ensures that management decisions and contractual goals are understood and supported by staff.
• Maintains accurate data and visibility of the project performance.
• Proactively manages operational risks and issues.
• Performs regular evaluations of the contract performance and puts in place robust action plans where needed to improve performance.
• Ensures that all staff understand the quality standards and performs regular assurance and monitoring of quality.
• Accurately forecasts performance for the contract so that management have early site of downward trends expected.
• Ensures proper practices regarding record keeping, control systems, and proper reporting.
• Administers policies and procedures in accordance with company, funder and program standards.
• Responds timely and fully to all funder and company requests for information and reports.
• Participates in business development activities including contract rebid and new business activities.
• Presents information on project and company activities and progress as invited or required at meetings and conferences.

Financial Knowledge

• Ability to create detailed budgets and track contract investment closely.
• Regularly review financial reports to ensure the project is on track and within budget.
• Ensure invoices are prepared timely and there are no disallowed costs.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to align project budgets with corporate financial goals and strategies.
• Identify potential financial and performance risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Ensure all financial activities comply with relevant regulations and standards, and facilitate audits as required.
• Responsible for maximization of project funding investment in participants.
• Provides budget/fiscal management oversight and monitors performance management.

Customer Focus

• Uphold excellent customer service standards for all.
• Ensures that the best customer experience is being delivered by implementing and monitoring the teams use of the established processes, tools and services available.
• Ensures that sufficient feedback is being sort from customers and any customer complaints or issues are addressed efficiently.
• Encouraging the team to collaborate and share best practice to improve the customer experience.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience in workforce development or business i.e. marketing, public relations, or economic development.
• Four years of supervisory experience.
• Bachelor's degree preferred in business, public relations, marketing, human resources, or related field.
• Proficient with Microsoft Excel & Word applications.
• Excellent communication skills (must speak, read, and write in English).
• Valid Louisiana driver's license - This is a driving position and travel from the centers to employer offices, community organizations, and community events is expected.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

At Equus we are strengthened by diversity. We are committed to providing a work environment in which everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect. Equus Workforce Solutions is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, age, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, religion, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or reprisal or any other characteristic protected under state, federal, or local law.