Director of Workforce

Job Title: Director of Workforce

Reports to: Chief Social Enterprise Officer

Type: Full-Time

Category: Workforce

Job Summary:

UTEC’s Director of Workforce is responsible for leading the integration of UTEC’s career readiness services into our larger program model. UTEC explicitly serves proven-risk 18-25 Young Adults from Lowell, Lawrence, and Haverhill. Currently, UTEC’s workforce program consists of our robust culinary program with opportunities in community food relief, catering, events, and foodtruck, as well as our woodworking and product creation program. UTEC also offers a community Organizing enterprise pathway for those interested in nonprofit and civic advocacy work. Through these workforce spaces, young adults engage in a curriculum that exposes them to transferable career readiness skills, social emotional skills and trade specific knowledge. The ultimate goal of UTEC’s workforce program is to prepare Young Adults for a career and future socio-economic stability.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Provide direct supervision to individuals in the following positions:
  • Career Pathways Manager
  • Woodworking Enterprise Program Manager
  • Culinary Instructor
• Ensure effective time management of all direct reports, including time sheet and PTO approvals
• Provide direct reports with ongoing feedback on progress as well as any performance concerns
• Document any exceptional performance as well as any concerning behavior shared with HR
• Perform an annual written performance review with each direct report
• Identify departmental personnel needs, as well as supplies and equipment needs and budget accordingly during the budget process

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Foster clear commitments and expectations for the workforce department and be able to articulate and advocate for those expectations among other program directors
• Engage with young adults in creating a safe, positive, learning, and empowering environment
• In partnership with the Chief Social Enterprise Officer, develops young adults programming for Career Pathways to ensure it meets the needs of young adults and ensures readiness for life after UTEC
• Build bridges with nonprofit and corporate agencies in our community, engage in regular networking opportunities, etc. to build out a pipeline of willing internship providers and/or employers for our program graduates
• Collaborate with all program directors on:
  • Decision-making related to young adults schedules and rosters
  • Reflection system and structures-ensure they’re running smoothly and supporting YA growth
  • Coverage when staff are out– participating in a robust coverage plan to support direct reports but also fellow program directors
  • Enrolling and Un-enrolling YAs in WF Programming as needed
  • Preparing and managing the Workforce budget
  • Presenting and being supportive of YA celebratory events: House Meal, Retreats, etc
  • Operations and logistics that support young adult pathways: progress and support meetings, etc
• Support Pathways to ensure there is a clear criteria for deciding when a young adult is ready to transition to the next level of programming
• Keep track of young adults transition numbers (from Streetwork to TrB and from WF to Enterprise)
• Track attendance and participation against program targets and display in the program dashboard
• Track data related to YA certification, outreach data (Contacts), employment data
• Obtain feedbacks from YAs on their experience and suggestion to improve our overall program
• Implement compensation philosophy for young adult pay and oversee payroll policies and practices that align with philosophy
• Create and oversee department goals that align with overall program goals

Required Skills/Abilities:

• A humble learner: willing to receive feedback and live UTEC’s value of “be a sponge.”
• A pensive decision-maker: not quick to react in the moment but instead takes their time in processing a situation before making a decision
• Embraces high support and high accountability. It’s important to be firm with expectations without being rigid or inflexible
• Adaptable, as the world of human services is constantly changing
• Willing and able to work primarily on site in Lowell, MA Monday-Friday
• Elite relationship builder – candidate will need strong partnerships with both young adults and colleagues

Education and Experience:

• At least 3-5 years of working with young adults (17-25) required, experience with justice-involved youth preferred
• A proven relationship builder that has experience building networks in the community, and collaborating internal and external stakeholders
• Understanding of young adult development required
• Prior experience supervising, managing, and/or training staff
• Knowledge of career readiness skills, workforce programs or social enterprises
• Proven Innovator: ability to take initiative, come up with ideas, and has a track record of creative problem solving
• Bilingual English/Spanish not required but favorably considered

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Able to travel as needed

Compensation is an annual salary of $85,000 plus benefits. UTEC offers a competitive benefits package that starts with 3 weeks of vacation plus a week off between the Christmas and New Year holidays, 12 holidays, 10 sick days, 2 personal days, and 3 bereavement days, as well as health, dental, and vision insurance starting day one. We also offer life insurance, first-time homeowners down payment assistance, cost of living increases, a paid sabbatical after three years, and a 401K retirement plan with up to $2,000 savings match. See more about our benefits here.

UTEC provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, UTEC complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location where the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.