Director of Programs & Industry Engagement

Summary of Position
The Director of Programs and Industry Engagement is responsible for the development and delivery of the technical training curriculum delivered to students at the Allegheny campus at Bessimer - The Allegheny Lab for Innovation & Creativity (ALIC @ Bessemer). The ALIC @ Bessimer curriculum and programming is designed to prepare students for work in the manufacturing industry and adjacent sectors, and the director is responsible for the development, delivery, and refinement of technical education and training programs.

The director coordinates program development and implementation, maintaining close collaboration with employers/industry leaders to ensure offerings reflect current industry competency standards and that ALIC courses and micro credentials reflect workforce needs into a clear, scaffolded curriculum.

Responsibilities include recruiting and hiring qualified faculty, managing course rollout, reviewing and ensuring courses have up-to-date content and meet course learning outcomes, monitoring instructional quality, and supporting continuous program improvements based on course assessment, employer feedback and workforce trends. The Director also maintains and grows industry partnerships alongside the Executive Director, coordinates talent pipeline activities, and helps to recruit students to the program.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day implementation and continuous improvement of advanced manufacturing training programs and curriculum aligned with institutional and regional workforce priorities. This includes developing new courses/credentials, overseeing curriculum updates to ensure alignment with industry standards and employer expectations, monitoring instructional delivery for quality and consistency, tracking and assessing student learning outcomes, and maintaining documentation to evaluate and demonstrate program effectiveness.
• In consultation with the Executive Director, identify emerging trends in manufacturing (e.g., automation, robotics, additive manufacturing, Industry 4.0) and integrate them into ALIC trainings through course curriculum updates and/or new training programs
• Partner with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness to design and implement assessment tools to evaluate all courses and technical education and training programs
• Ensure curriculum aligns with institutional and industry standards, certification requirements, and employer expectations as well as accreditation and federal standards and requirements.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with manufacturing employers, industry associations, and workforce organizations
• Support the integration of hands-on, work-based learning models (e.g., apprenticeships, internships, labs) partnering with the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) as appropriate.
• Collaborate with partners to co-develop curriculum, training pathways, research and development opportunities, and talent pipelines
Participate in marketing and recruitment efforts that support enrollment efforts.

Experience and Qualifications

• Associate’s or vocational/ technical school degree required
10 or more years of experience required

Required Knowledge

• Understanding of the manufacturing industry in north-west Pennsylvania, and knowledge of the various processes that are most common or emerging within manufacturing in the region.
Additionally, knowledge of pedagogy in relation to technical education is required.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Technical proficiency in relation to technologies central to ALIC’s educational offering.
• Ability to develop technical education courses, including learning outcomes.
• Adaptability, maintenance of high standards in terms of file management, equipment maintenance, and the ability to keep accurate records while maintaining confidentiality.