Executive Director, Regional Employment

The Executive Director will lead the implementation of a regional strategy designed to attract, retain, and connect young adults in a variety of life circumstances to economic opportunity in the Kenosha/Racine region. The position will transform a strategic vision into an operational system that integrates workforce development, community building, and talent attraction.

Working closely with regional partners, including employers, economic development organizations, municipalities, educational institutions, and community organizations, the Executive Director will start to impact the initiative by building and managing:

• Workforce Systems: Create a regional employment and career navigation system connecting young adults to increase social mobility across various levels of education and life experiences
• Data Systems: Collect comprehensive data in a developed ecosystem for both individuals who would benefit from the established system, as well as the existing opportunities in Southeastern Wisconsin, in a sophisticated and longitudinal way.
• Communication Systems: Identify a marketing and communications strategy to articulate the initiative and connect with the key stakeholders, including young adults and organizations.

This role requires a leader capable of launching complex regional initiatives, building cross-sector partnerships, managing data-driven programs, and establishing Kenosha/Racine as a destination for young workers.

Responsibilities:

Workforce System Development:

• Build and oversee a regional labor market intelligence system mapping entry-level jobs, wages, career pathways, and skill requirements intended to make connections with the youth of the region.
• Develop a career navigation infrastructure that provides individualized guidance to young adults typically in the age range of 16–25.
• Coordinate employer partnerships that support work-based learning programs.

Community Development:

• Connect young adults across the region through professional and social networks, in concert with community partners, that can develop programming that fosters social connection and retention among early-career workers.

Talent Attraction and Regional Marketing:

• In collaboration with Marketing and Communication, design and implement a targeted recruitment campaign attracting young adults.
• Develop data-driven outreach strategies, including digital marketing, geographic targeting, and influencer partnerships
• Build and maintain a prospect database of potential recruits and manage a multi-stage recruitment funnel that includes a deep relationship with local high schools and community colleges.

Partnership Development:

• Build strategic partnerships with:
  • Regional employers
  • Economic development agencies
  • Tourism and cultural organizations
  • Educational institutions
  • Municipal governments
• Align partners around shared goals for workforce growth and talent attraction.

Data, Evaluation, and Impact Measurement:

• Establish performance metrics focused on outcomes such as:
  • Placement in jobs that create social mobility
  • Retention of young adults in the region to influence population deficits
• Use data to refine programs and allocate resources to the most effective initiatives.

Resource Development and Financial Management:

• In concert with others, assist in securing funding through public grants, philanthropy, employer contributions, and institutional partnerships.
• Develop sustainable financial models for long-term program operation.

Qualifications:

Required:

• 10 years of leadership experience in workforce development, economic development, regional planning, or higher education innovation
• Demonstrated success in launching complex multi-stakeholder initiatives
• Experience building cross-sector partnerships
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills
• Exceptional program management and development abilities
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills

Preferred:

• Experience in talent attraction, regional workforce systems, or community economic development
• Background working with higher education institutions
• Experience building digital platforms or workforce data systems
• Knowledge of Midwest economic and demographic trends

Key Competencies:

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Systems thinking
• Coalition building
• Entrepreneurial leadership
• Strategic marketing and communications
• Workforce ecosystem design
• Community engagement
• Results-oriented program management

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About Carthage

Located on the shore of Lake Michigan in the thriving Chicago-Milwaukee corridor, Carthage College blends the best liberal arts traditions with desirable degree programs, transformative learning opportunities, and personal attention from dedicated faculty and staff. Our beautiful campus, an 80-acre arboretum with stunning lake views, is home to 2,600 undergraduate students and 200 graduate students. Founded in 1847, Carthage is consistently named a Best Midwestern College by The Princeton Review and a Most Innovative School by U.S. News & World Report. All Carthage employees play a vital part in the success of our students, as we work together to create an environment where all can achieve their true potential. Grow with Carthage.

Carthage College is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse community. We welcome applications from a broad spectrum of people, including members of ethnic minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status or status as an individual with a disability.

This position requires a background screening