Director of Retail Workforce Partnerships & Program Operations

The Director of Retail Workforce Partnerships & Program Operations is responsible for the strategic growth, external partnership development, and operational leadership of Helms College workforce education initiatives focused on the retail sector, including the Retail Operations Management (ROM) program and future employer-sponsored workforce development partnerships.  

This position serves as the primary relationship leader responsible for expanding Helms College partnerships across the Goodwill network, national and regional retail organizations, and employer tuition assistance ecosystems. The role focuses on positioning Helms College as a premier workforce education provider that supports career advancement, leadership development, and industry-specific training solutions for retail employers and workforce organizations.  

The Director will lead efforts to secure employer-sponsored educational partnerships, expand program participation, support enrollment pipeline development through strategic partnerships, and oversee operational execution of employer cohorts and workforce education initiatives. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & CORE COMPETENCIES 

Strategic Partnership Development & Employer Engagement 

• Develop and manage strategic partnerships with national, regional, and local retail organizations to expand workforce education opportunities through Helms College programs. 

• Establish relationships with corporate learning and development leaders, talent development teams, tuition assistance administrators, and workforce development stakeholders. 

• Position Helms College as a preferred workforce education and training partner within retail and service-sector industries. 

• Identify and pursue opportunities for Helms College programs to be included within employer tuition assistance, workforce development, and educational reimbursement programs. 

• Expand participation and engagement across the Goodwill network by building relationships with Goodwill organizations nationwide. 

• Represent Helms College at conferences, networking events, workforce development meetings, and industry engagement opportunities. 

• Develop employer partnership strategies that support enrollment pipelines, workforce upskilling, leadership development, and career pathway initiatives. 

Workforce Program Operations & Oversight 

• Oversee operational execution of retail workforce development programs, employer-sponsored cohorts, and related educational initiatives. 

• Coordinate with academic leadership to ensure instructional quality, curriculum integrity, and alignment with accreditation standards. 

• Support faculty recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, communication, and operational coordination related to employer-sponsored programming. 

• Monitor program effectiveness, participation metrics, retention trends, completion outcomes, and employer satisfaction indicators. 

• Assist in developing scalable operational processes that support growth across multiple employer and Goodwill partnerships. 

• Collaborate with internal teams to support student onboarding, communication, and employer cohort coordination. 

Business Development & Revenue Growth 

• Support growth of employer-sponsored educational partnerships and workforce development contracts. 

• Collaborate with leadership to develop pricing models, partnership structures, and workforce education proposals. 

• Assist with revenue forecasting, partnership reporting, and contract tracking activities. 

• Support expansion strategies tied to workforce development initiatives and retail leadership education programming. 

• Identify opportunities for new workforce education offerings aligned with employer and industry needs. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• Partner with Admissions and Enrollment teams to support employer referral pipelines and student engagement efforts. 

• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to support employer-facing messaging, promotional materials, and workforce partnership visibility. 

• Coordinate with Finance and Compliance teams regarding billing, contract administration, reporting, and operational processes. 

• Maintain alignment with accreditation, compliance, and institutional standards related to workforce education programming. 

• Support strategic initiatives aligned with institutional growth, workforce development expansion, and employer engagement goals. 

Minimum 

• Bachelor’s degree required in Business, Workforce Development, Education, Human Resources, Organizational Leadership, or related field. 

• Master’s degree preferred. 

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in workforce development, business development, employer partnerships, corporate training, higher education, or related leadership roles. 

• Demonstrated experience developing strategic partnerships and external stakeholder relationships. 

• Experience managing programs, projects, or operational initiatives across multiple stakeholders. 

• Strong presentation, communication, relationship-building, and organizational skills. 

• Ability to travel regionally and nationally as needed. 

Preferred 

• Experience working within retail, workforce development, higher education, adult education, or nonprofit sectors. 

• Familiarity with employer tuition assistance or corporate learning and development structures. 

• Experience engaging with Goodwill organizations or mission-driven workforce organizations preferred. 

• Knowledge of continuing education, workforce training, accreditation, or adult learner environments preferred.