College: SOWELA

Department: Workforce Development

Sub department: 

Type of Appointment: Unclassified - Administrative/Staff

Salary: Start of $62,500 annually, with actual offer based on education and experience

Duties and Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership & Program Development
• Lead the planning, design, and implementation of workforce training initiatives that address high-demand occupations and industry needs.
• Collaborate with institutional leadership and industry groups to identify training gaps and develop responsive solutions.
• Align initiatives with institutional strategic plans, workforce development priorities, and state/federal funding opportunities.

Grant & Funding Management
• Serve as lead point of contact for all grant-funded customized training projects.
• Manage data entry and reporting requirements to ensure compliance with state and federal funding regulations.
• Monitor grant budgets, performance metrics, and deliverables to achieve program outcomes.

Business Development
• Identify and cultivate new business opportunities with employers to expand customized training and upskilling programs.
• Develop proposals, pricing models, and service agreements for employer-sponsored training projects.
• Collaborate with industry partners to design innovative solutions addressing high-demand occupations.

Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement
• Build and maintain strong relationships with employers, industry associations, and community organizations.
• Represent the institution at workforce development meetings, consortiums, and community events.

Operational Oversight & Evaluation
• Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness through data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Recommend improvements and innovations to enhance training delivery and student outcomes.
• Provide leadership and oversight to staff responsible for implementing customized training programs, including instructors, business developers, and support personnel.
• Conduct performance evaluations and recommend professional development opportunities.

Required Education: • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited post-secondary institution.

Required Experience: • Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in workforce development, project management, program oversight, or grant administration.
• Demonstrated success in securing and managing grants and external funding.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: • Strategic and analytical thinking.
• Relationship building and stakeholder engagement.
• Project and financial management.
• Regulatory compliance and reporting.
• Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Strong analytical and organizational abilities with attention to accuracy and detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a customer-focused approach.
• Knowledge of workforce training operations, contract management, and reporting requirements.
• Commitment to SOWELA’s mission of providing excellence in teaching, learning, and workforce development.

Required Licenses or Certifications: 

Preferred Education: • Master's degree from a regionally accredited post-secondary institution.

Preferred Experience: • Experience in a post-secondary or higher education environment.
• Knowledge of state and federal workforce training programs (e.g., IWTP, WIOA, Perkins, etc.).
• Familiarity with labor market data analysis and workforce program evaluation.
• Knowledge of LCTCS systems, reporting structures, and institutional software such as Banner or Lumens.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

Benefits: As a member of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, SOWELA has an attractive benefits package with a wide variety of benefit options. Benefits offered include retirement, multiple medical insurance options, supplemental insurances (dental, term life, disability, accident, vision, etc.), Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (saves tax dollars on some child care and medical expenses), holidays (14 per year, typically includes longer break at Christmas), generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits and Employee Assistance Program. Specific benefits depend on job category, percent effort and length of employment.

Passing pre-employment criminal background screen is required as a condition of employment. SOWELA is an equal opportunity/equal access employer. SOWELA is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) agency that supports improved employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.