Regional Workforce Innovation Director

Job Summary:

CenterState CEO is looking for a creative, curious, highly experienced leader who understands the fundamentals of workforce development in New York State and is passionate about creating systemic change. The Regional Workforce Development Director will engage with workforce development partners across Central New York to spark innovation that creates systems change, with the goal of increasing access for underrepresented groups to high-quality, high-demand careers in target industries. The Director will support existing Inclusive Growth staff in developing industry specific partnerships and integrating that work across the Inclusive Growth team and CenterState CEO more broadly. This role requires a thorough understanding of workforce development best practices, funding streams, ability to creatively engage with partners to help them improve their programs, and curiosity to keep learning from others around the country. The Director will be facilitating large and small groups of organizations throughout the region, as well as 1:1 meetings with partners to learn, ideate and fund innovative practices.

All resumes should be submitted by Tuesday, October 22nd, 2025

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities (additional duties may be assigned):

The Director will:

• Assist workforce development partners, training organizations and educational institutions to develop innovative approaches to outreach, training, industry engagement and job quality practices, both individually and in group settings;
• Identify, organize and lead local organizations throughout Central NY to expand their capacity to serve as workforce intermediaries and points of contact for jobseeker outreach and career exploration;
• Partner with regional leads to build and execute coordinated talent pipelines to meet hiring goals/targets for specific projects;Develop, maintain, and utilize best practice materials and tools developed by CenterState CEO and national organizations as guides for local workforce partners;
• Track workforce policy changes at the local, state and national level to inform strategy;
• Work with subject matter experts to inform industry-driven workforce strategies for target populations that can be piloted and replicated across the region, and work with implementation partners to share best practices and develop curriculum;
• Co-design and use data and visualization tools to provide partners and employers with data to ensure supply of trained workers aligns with demand of unions/employers; work with IG, SPP staff and external partners to improve programs, and track outcomes across the region towards common goals;
• Track multiple funding streams available for industry specific workforce strategies, prepare recommendations for funders and work with organizations to develop and implement programs, including tracking quality/outcomes and providing support to make changes as needed.
• Support grant development and reporting, responding to external inquiries for information, and collaborating with colleagues to develop programming for both training partners and companies.

Education and Experience:

Required: at least 7-10 years of experience in workforce development. Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required. Professional certification and years of experience at a ratio of 2:1 may be considered in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience providing technical assistance in workforce development and effectiveness in helping organizations and systems to make practice changes.
• Familiarity with workforce best practices designed to increase underrepresented populations in high-wage, high demand occupations (i.e. industry sector partnerships, apprenticeship, grassroots outreach, popular education, etc).
• Experience in workforce program design and delivery.
• Ability and interest in using new technology as a tool for innovation in workforce development.
• Outstanding public speaking and written/verbal communication skills.
• Capable of working in an ever-changing flexible work environment.
• Demonstrated relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Willingness and ability to travel within Central New York (approximately 50% of time) and US domestically (approximately 10% of time).
• Strong listening skills.
• Strong analytic ability; must be able to collect, analyze, manipulate, interpret, report and utilize data.
• An entrepreneurial self-starter.
• Experienced at building effective partnerships across diverse stakeholders.
• Work at the highest level of integrity, honesty and openness.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

Close mental and visual attention required to perform work, verbal communication, using a computer, and/or extensive reading. General office equipment is used.

Special Requirements:

NY Drivers’ license and access to a working automobile will be needed for this job, as it requires extensive travel throughout Central New York.

Work Environment:

There is no exposure to adverse environmental conditions. Work is performed in a typical office work environment with outside travel to client/member/prospect locations.

Disclaimer:

All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.

The company reserves the right to add to or revise an employee's job duties at any time at its sole discretion.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.

CenterState CEO is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

I acknowledge that I have read this job description and have received a copy for my records.