Overview: The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) is seeking a dynamic, innovative leader to serve as the Director of the MassHire Department of Career Services (MDCS). The team is excited to build on amazing local and regional partnerships with employers, jobtraining providers, government agencies, and more to best serve jobseekers and employers across Massachusetts. EOLWD is responsible for the state's overall workforce development strategy, ensuring that it algins with both federal and state priorities. As part of this effort, MDCS serves asthe designated oversight agency for federal workforce programs, which are implemented by local entities across 16 regions throughout the Commonwealth. MDCS strengthens the MassHire Workforce Development System through the utilization of technology and innovative business practices to maximize resources, collaborate with other workforce development partners, and engage employers to ensure a skilled, motivated, and adaptable workforce capable of meeting the emerging labor market needs of the Commonwealth now and in the future. The MassHire system is a comprehensive network of organizations that connects workers, employers, and job seekers with tools and training necessary to thrive in the Massachusetts economy. This system includes local workforce boards, non-profit partners, state agencies, private sector stakeholders, and federal partners under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
Roles and Responsibilities: The
Director of the MassHire Department of Career Services (MDCS) will lead and manage this multifaceted system, ensuring effective coordination and connectivity across various public and private stakeholders, including collaboration with other state assets such as Commonwealth Corporation, the state's quasi-government workforce grant administrator. Key responsibilities include overseeing the delivery of high-quality career, employment, education, and training services, and ensuring these services meet the evolving needs of job seekers and employers. The Director will:
- champion the MassHire system and ensure operational excellence through the management of state and federal fund administration, data collection and reporting, policy development, contracting and partnership development.
- build, maintain and strengthen relationships, alliances and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders including businesses, organizations that provide wraparound services, training and education providers, MassHire Workforce Boards and Career Centers, local governments, economic development entities, labor unions and industry associations, and philanthropic organizations.
- provide executive direction and support for 15 existing programs (e.g. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Re-Employment Service Eligibility Assessment, Veterans Employment and Training Services, Rapid Response/Layoff Aversion, etc.) with a focus on developing, designing, and delivering new programs.
- ensure the integrity of federal program implementation and provide support to the field to implement those federal resources along with funding allocated by the state Legislature to the MassHire system.
- provide oversight, technical assistance and support in the preparation and submission of required reports to funding agencies and stakeholders and maintenance of accurate records and documentation for audit purposes.
- direct, administer and oversee investments from the Commonwealth as well as United States Department of Labor (USDOL) workforce development program funds that support local Workforce Areas, MassHire Career Centers, central MDCS state staff, and local state staff.
- provide strategic input into customer outreach initiatives designed to increase MassHire Workforce Development and MDCS program awareness and build positive brand identity through executing both job seeker and business customer outreach efforts, and ensure open communication and close coordination with federal, state, and local workforce development partners.
Preferred Qualifications:
- 10 years of business, management, or related experience.
- An outcome-oriented, results-driven mindset that is informed by quantitative and qualitative data centered on the needs of job seeker and business customers.
- A solid understanding of federal Work Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and Massachusetts policies, procedures, programs, and initiatives offered not only by MassHire but other state agencies.
- Expertise in workforce development and career services and knowledge of trends, best practices, and funding models including demonstrated ability to develop and operate new programs including securing funding.
- Experience utilizing data and metrics to drive sound strategic, programmatic, and financial decisions. Understand the importance of building evidence-based programs and tracking data on performance.
- Demonstrated understanding and command of workforce issues and policy. Experience in supervision and team-based management and experience managing a diverse group of projects and staff.
- Excellent interpersonal, influencing, written and oral communication skills essential.
- Ability to cultivate and maintain local area leadership relations, collective bargaining relations, conduct personnel matters and lead administrative processes (annual plan, 4-year plan, board cert, etc.)
- A record of success as a people-centered leader and hands-on manager who recognizes and relies on staff expertise and content knowledge, believes that good ideas can come from anywhere, and leads by example.
- Demonstrated personal and professional commitment to and experience with advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and belonging.
- Prior experience with programs or activities associated with traditionally underrepresented groups is essential.
- Versed in industry, particularly in a statewide priority industry or growing sector such as advanced manufacturing, technology, renewable energy, health care services, etc.
- Experience in a state or federal government agency.
- Experience in and knowledge of local, state, and federal employment and training programs, partners and related workforce funding is essential to understand the interactions and influences that support the critical decision-making necessary to lead and direct the career center system.
- Experience in understanding interactions and directing the implementation of technological approaches to employment and training services has taken on increasing importance in the current workforce environment.
Qualifications:MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:Applicants must have at least (A) seven (7) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least four (4) years must have been in a managerial capacity.Comprehensive Benefits When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards! An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.