Associate Director of Workforce Partnerships

Associate Director of Workforce Partnerships

FLSA Classification

Exempt

Salary Grade/Level/Family/Range

Full-time, $69,000-$77,000 annual salary

Reports To

Senior Director of Work Readiness

Direct Reports

Bridges to Work Program Manager, Employer Partnership Coordinator, Career Coach and Program Coordinator

Department

Work Readiness

Location

Philadelphia, PA / Hybrid

Effective Date

April 2026

ABOUT THE WELCOMING CENTER

The Welcoming Center (TWC) is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit dedicated to immigrant integration and economic mobility. For more than 20 years, TWC has partnered with immigrants and refugees to build the skills, networks, and pathways they need to thrive — professionally, economically, and civically. We envision a stronger, more vibrant nation, enriched by the contributions of immigrants. Through a suite of workforce development, adult education, and leadership programs, TWC serves individuals at every stage of their journey, from contextualized English language instruction to advanced career pathways in high-demand industries.

TWC's programs are grounded in a whole-person approach that connects participants to meaningful employment, community, and opportunity. Joining TWC means becoming part of a collaborative, mission-driven team committed to building a more equitable and inclusive Pennsylvania.

Work Readiness: The Work Readiness team supports immigrants and refugees in building career pathways, professional networks, and job search skills through sector-based partnerships with employers in high-demand industries.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Overview

The Associate Director of Workforce Partnerships is a senior leader in Work Readiness who turns industry demand into scalable, employer-driven workforce solutions. This role will dive deeply into manufacturing and skilled trades pathways to map employer needs, co-design technical trainings and pilot programs, and establish sustainable hiring pipelines for immigrant participants. Working closely with the Senior Director, the Associate Director will supervise a small team focused on manufacturing training pathways while spearheading partnership development with employers, training providers, and higher-education partners to create measurable career outcomes. The role sits at the intersection of program operations, employer strategy, and partnership development.

Essential Functions

• Own operational leadership of two manufacturing focused workforce programs: Career Pathways for Manufacturing and Bridges to Work. Ensure alignment between employer demand, curriculum, coaching, and participant outcomes.
• Lead deep sector discovery and employer market mapping in manufacturing and skilled trades: identify high-opportunity occupations, required credentials, preferred employers, skill gaps, and training pathways.
• With the support of the Employer Partnership Coordinator, lead employer partnership strategy including relationship development, hiring pipeline design, and identification of new industry opportunities aligned with immigrant talent. Develop and steward partnerships with community colleges, industry training providers, employer consortia, and employers to expand training capacity, credential pathways, and job placements.
• Co-design and launch technical training pilots and experiential programs (e.g., short-term technical certificates, on-the-job training opportunities, paid internships, apprenticeship pilots) with employers and training partners.
• Supervise assigned staff (currently ~3): regular 1:1s, goal setting, performance management, workload prioritization, and team development. Set team priorities and recommend staffing or operational changes as needed.
• Collaborate with instructional and coaching teams to ensure employer needs are reflected in curriculum, participant preparation, and job placement support.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

This role is ideal for a program leader ready to operate at a strategic level while remaining close to implementation.

Required Competencies

• 4+ years of experience in workforce development, employer engagement, program management, or related fields — with measurable success building employer partnerships and placing job seeking adults.
• 2+ years staff supervisory experience, including performance management and professional development.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with employers, workforce training providers, or related industry partners that resulted in hiring, training investment, or work-based learning opportunities.
• Demonstrable project management skills: ability to manage multiple projects, timelines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Experience with data collection and outcomes tracking (Salesforce or similar CRM experience strongly preferred).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; proven ability to represent an organization to employers, funders, and external stakeholders.
• Comfort with budget oversight, grant compliance, and reporting requirements.
• Commitment to equity-centered, participant-driven practice and culturally responsive service delivery.

Preferred Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, education, business, or a related field; advanced degree or specialized certification preferred.
• Experience with workforce credentialing, or higher-ed partnership models.
• Knowledge of workforce systems, training providers, or industry associations in the Philadelphia region.
• Experience designing employer-driven experiential learning (apprenticeships, OJT, paid internships) and other industry-responsive workforce programming.
• Lived experience within immigrant, refugee, and/or communities of color.

Work Environment

• Full-time, Monday–Friday, typical hours 9:00 AM–5:00 PM.
• Hybrid schedule with regular on-site presence (three days/week); remote work two days/week.
• Occasional evening hours, employer site visits and travel within the Philadelphia region are required.
• Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers and phones.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in accordance with the ADA and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA).

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Standing for extended periods and traveling to employer sites, partner offices, and community locations as needed.
• Bending, stooping, or kneeling as required for event setup or onsite activities.
• Must be able to lift 5–10 pounds occasionally.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Welcoming Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We strongly encourage applications from individuals with lived experience as immigrants or refugees.

Disclaimer

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Employment at The Welcoming Center is at-will and may be terminated at any time, with or without cause or notice, by either the employee or the organization.

FEATURED BENEFITS

The Welcoming Center offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support employee well-being and work-life balance, including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick Leave, and Personal Days)
• Paid Holidays
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Commuter Benefits
• Hybrid Work Schedule

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@welcomingcenter.org with the subject line: "Associate Director of Workforce Partnerships.” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. No phone calls please.

The Welcoming Center offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support employee well-being and work-life balance, including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick Leave, and Personal Days)
• Paid Holidays
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Commuter Benefits
• Hybrid Work Schedule