Executive Director- Workforce Operations

Illinois Central College (ICC) is a well-established community college serving the Peoria area and beyond with a commitment to fostering workforce development, education, and community engagement. Located at its East Peoria and Peoria campuses, ICC prides itself on offering a comprehensive range of academic and career training programs designed to meet the evolving needs of students, industries, and the local community. The college is devoted to providing inclusive and equitable education and workforce solutions, tailoring programs to align with regional economic growth and employer demands.

As a management-level, full-time position based in the Diversity Department, the Executive Director of Workforce Operations plays a critical leadership role at ICC. This role is essential in advancing workforce initiatives that support business and industry partnerships, developing college-ready programs that prepare students for the modern labor market. The Executive Director guides the vision, strategy, and operational goals for workforce development, career technical education, and various workforce initiatives. This involves actively shaping apprenticeships, internships, and workplace-based experience programs that benefit both students and local industries.

The Executive Director is responsible for managing day-to-day operations within the Workforce Department, including oversight of staff management, budgeting, and data analysis. This leadership position demands a strategic outlook combined with strong project management skills to ensure that partnerships with businesses and community stakeholders are effective and aligned with the college's mission. Compensation for the role ranges from $79,664 to $94,598.40 annually. Candidates interested in this career opportunity are required to submit a complete application including a resume and cover letter.

The role requires coordination with various college leaders such as deans and vice presidents to avoid duplication of efforts and to maximize the impact of workforce programming. The Executive Director also plays a vital part in grant and project management, involving budget development, performance tracking, compliance reporting, and negotiation with external agencies. This ensures workforce initiatives are sustainable and continuously evolving to reflect current workforce trends.

Additionally, the Executive Director fosters relationships with external partners and manages contracts related to apprenticeships and earn-and-learn programs. By overseeing departmental performance through data-driven methods and metrics analysis, the individual in this position helps to implement strategic initiatives that align college training, assessments, technical assistance, and career placement services with industry demands.

This position offers leadership over Workforce Directors and Managers within the department and encourages a collaborative team environment that promotes continuous improvement and innovative solutions for workforce challenges. The Executive Director is tasked with identifying ongoing funding opportunities to support the department's programs in conjunction with the college's grants team and executive cabinet.

The role requires excellent communication skills for public presentations, written reports, and ensuring effective internal and external collaboration. Candidates must be adept at managing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment and have prior experience in departmental management, workforce program development, and regional workforce issues. Illinois Central College is dedicated to equal employment opportunities and provides a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, including paid time off, health insurance, tuition waivers, childcare resources, and retirement plans, reflecting its commitment to supporting its workforce and community.