Director of Workforce Development

About the organization

Art with a Heart's mission is to enhance the lives of people in need through visual art. The organization views creative development and artistic expression as vital components of the human experience and works to address the equity gap in visual arts education and access by offering a variety of services, including engaging, educational, and interactive visual arts classes to underserved Baltimore-area children, youth and adults in schools, group homes, shelters, community centers, recreation centers, foster care agencies, senior facilities, and hospitals. Art with a Heart's goals also include using visual art for positive civic and economic change in its workforce development, public art, community service, and leadership development branches. The organization values collaboration, creative self-expression, consistency, and high levels of artistry in all its work.

About the position

The Director of Workforce Development will provide vision, leadership, direction, and planning for the development and implementation of HeARTworks, Art with a Heart’s workforce development program for youth ages 14-24. The Director is responsible for all aspects of program success, partner and stakeholder engagement, instructor training, accountability reporting, and quality assurance. This individual will foster collaboration and work with all branches of the organization to strengthen and amplify HeARTworks programming and the social-enterprise/retail store, HeARTwares. This is an incredible opportunity to support and mentor Baltimore’s youth in their career pathways and to make meaningful long term contributions to the future of tomorrow's workforce.

The Director of Workforce Development reports directly to the Executive Director and manages a team that includes a Social Enterprise Manager, a Workforce Development Coordinator, and teaching staff.

Qualifications:

The Director of Workforce Development should have the following professional qualifications and personal characteristics:

• A keen interest, genuine passion for, and deep personal commitment to AWAH's mission.
• Five or more years of relevant work experience, with a bachelor's degree preferred.
• Must have knowledge of workforce development standards and procedures, and be a constant advocate working towards systems change in the field.
• Knowledge and experience with youth development and trauma-informed care best practices.
• Demonstrated leadership experience with impeccable integrity and strong work ethic.
• Strong communications and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate difficult decisions.
• Approachable management style with the ability to create a collaborative working environment.
• A self-starter who possesses critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships and work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people.
• Ability to remain focused, transparent, and tactful while exercising solid judgment, especially in high pressure situations.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and thrive in a complex environment with multiple priorities.
• Technical skills should include proficiency with Microsoft Suite and Google Suite and experience with or willingness to learn Adobe Creative Cloud, Constant Contact, and Wordpress.
• Experience in and understanding of visual art mediums, techniques, and/or teaching methods is a plus.

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Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Programming:

• Identifying and cultivating potential program partners, maintaining those relationships, and drafting and administering MOUs and contracts
• Work with Workforce Development Coordinator and program partners on participant recruitment and orientation
• Work with the programming team to secure teaching staff and workshop facilitators, and facilitate necessary training and orientations
• Maintain and update program materials, i.e. protocols and procedures, curriculum, participant forms, and calendars
• Communicate with internship supervisors (both high school and college) and coordinating with team members on internship and apprenticeship management and evaluation
• Respond to program challenges with creative solutions, providing hands-on feedback to teaching staff and coordinating with program partners to find resolution as needed
• Oversee the development and execution of workforce and product curriculum and the purchasing of required materials
• During Program: Coordinate and conduct site visits and check-ins, evaluations, and keep record of participants timesheets and pay.
• After Program: Overall assessment and data collection, including grant reporting as needed
• Support Social Enterprise Manager with end-of-program event planning, including securing vendors and performers, and coordinating publicity and marketing

Workforce Ecosystem Building:

• Develop relationships with potential employers in various industry sectors, especially in sectors that are growing in relevance regionally
• Stay up to date on labor market trends and statistics
• Collaborate with other organizations and agencies on providing resources and additional training for program participants
• Participate in convenings organized by the Baltimore Workforce Development Board, Mayor’s Office of Employment Development, Workforce Funders Collaborative, and other local agencies
• Participate in city-wide efforts in data collection and analysis

Social Enterprise & Retail:

• Support the Social Enterprise Manager and Product Development/Retail Associate in creating and maintaining protocols, procedures, and inventory for HeARTwares
• Collaborate with team on product research and development and help track progress on product completion
• Provide oversight and quality assurance monitoring
• Communicate with prospective customers/companies for commissions, rentals, workshops and art parties
• Be available to support HeARTwares operations, which may include occasional weekend or evening hours.
• Coordinate with Social Enterprise Manager on planning store events
• Along with Social Enterprise Manager, develop and maintain messaging and marketing around HeARTwares
• Help to maintain The Avenue location as a shared workspace to ensure that it is used efficiently and effectively

Fundraising & Financial Management:

• Work with Director of Advancement on completion of grant applications, evaluations, and reports
• Design, administer, and collect survey data from HeARTworks participants to support outcome measurement and inform quarterly, annual, and grant reporting
• Collect and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data from programs, and evaluate outcomes
• Adhere to fiscal management practices and operate within the approved budget

Community Engagement

• Develop and maintain relationships with community stakeholders as Art with a Heart establishes a presence on The Avenue (36th Street) in the Hampden community in Baltimore.
• Gather and analyze community feedback to develop new program initiatives specific to The Avenue location.
• In collaboration with the Operations Specialist, develop and maintain systems and processes to ensure effective and efficient operations at The Avenue location.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Work Location: In person

Salary : $60,000 - $75,000