Director of Sector Initiatives

The San Diego Workforce Partnership is the leader for innovative workforce solutions in San Diego County. We fund and deliver job training programs that enable all job seekers to develop the skills and knowledge needed for in-demand careers. Our vision is that every business in our region has access to a skilled workforce, and every job seeker has access to meaningful employment. We seek to earn trust and inspire growth in every action we take. 

Position Summary 

Under the direction of the Vice-President of Programs, the Director of Sector Initiatives and is a member of SDWP’s leadership team, providing the vision and strategic direction for program executions, expansion, and alignment within the organization and across the community. The Director of Sector Initiatives will lead the strategic development and programmatic oversight of key priority sectors and beyond. Work closely with the Population Specific Director and Strategic Partnerships Director to align department goals and to improve employment, education, and support services for individuals facing employment barriers. The Director will collaborate with industry and organized labor partners, private and public training providers and academic institutions, community organizations, to meet workforce development needs of participants and ensure that programs align with current industry workforce skills demands, fostering a competitive workforce for the County & City of San Diego. 

Essential Functions     

Fundamental Job Requirements   

• Bachelor’s degree in non-profit management, public administration, business administration, or related field. 


• Six to eight (6-8) years’ director or manager level work experience.   


• Six to eight (6-8) years’ direct exposure managing workforce initiatives and training programs.   


• Industry specific knowledge and experience.   


• Deep connections and an understanding of organized labor community.


• Understanding of priority sector and industry led initiatives and labor market in San Diego. 


• Proven ability to work alongside, lead, manage, and motivate a multi-functional team of direct reports, fostering collaboration, accountability, and high performance. 


• Strategic and operational planning, decision making and execution of programs.


• Understanding of State and Federal laws and regulations related to workforce development training programs funding. 


• Excellent attention to detail and creative problem-solving skills. 


• Excellent organizational and proficient communication skills.   


• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive situations with solid judgement. 


• Visionary leadership, adaptability, and creativity. 


• Computer proficiency, particularly with the Microsoft Office suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. 

Desired Requirements

• Master’s degree in non-profit management, public administration or related industry focused field.   


• Three to five (3-5) years’ skilled trade related work experience. 


• Lean Six Sigma Certification. 


• Organizational Knowledge. 

Our Values  

Compassion. Collaboration. Opportunity. 

We Love to Take Care of Our Workforce Associates–

We offer a great work environment, a culture that values individuality and inclusion, collaborative and innovative teams, and a competitive pay and benefits package. Our benefits include PTO, PTO sell-back program, generous employer-paid benefits, company-paid learning and professional development program, pension plan and 457 retirement plan additional employee wellness. Compensation for this position ranges from $125,897 - $173,162.

In the spirit of pay transparency, we are excited to share the base salary range for this position. If you are hired at San Diego Workforce Partnership, your final base salary (within the pay range), will be determined based on factors such as education, knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition to those factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider the internal equity of our current team members when determining any final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the full base salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for future and continued salary growth. We also offer generous benefits and retirement plans.

At the Workforce Partnership, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, and the work that we do in the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace for all. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. 

San Diego Workforce Partnership is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.