What are the responsibilities and job description for the Executive Director of Workforce & Career Advancement position at Seward County Community College?
Seward County Community College is a two-year institution offering 45 programs of study, including Adult Basic Education, certificate programs and Associate of Arts, Science, General Studies and Applied Sciences degrees. Ranked in the top 5% of more than 1,100 accredited community colleges in the U.S. by the Aspen Institute, SCCC serves a student body of 2,500 students ranging in age from 15 to 85, in a county with the highest foreign-born percentage population in the U.S., and a rural service area of about 50,997 in seven Southwest Kansas counties as well as neighboring counties in southeastern Colorado, the Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles.
Responsibilities
The Executive Director of Workforce & Career Advancement provides strategic leadership for an integrated workforce development model that connects Adult Education, Business & Industry training, employer partnerships, career pathway development, student navigation, and employment engagement. The Executive Director is responsible for advancing SCCC’s efforts to create seamless education-to-employment pathways that support adult learners, traditional students, employers, and the regional workforce. This position oversees the coordination and alignment of Adult Education and foundational learning programs; Business & Industry contract training and continuing education; workforce partnerships; apprenticeship and work-based learning initiatives; career pathway development; Ability-to-Benefit and related student access strategies; and career services/employment outcome initiatives as assigned. The Executive Director works collaboratively with academic leadership, faculty, employers, community partners, state agencies, and grant partners to strengthen workforce responsiveness, student advancement, and institutional alignment with emerging state and federal priorities. The Executive Director also provides leadership for program planning, grant implementation and compliance, staff supervision, budget development, employer engagement, data-informed decision-making, and the continuous improvement of workforce and career advancement initiatives.
Essential Functions
Competitive salary. Participation in college Flexible Benefits program which includes options for single and family health and dental coverage, optional insurances, and reimbursement accounts. Other benefits include: income protection insurance; matching annuity; SCCC tuition reimbursement for employee and dependents; annual and sick leave allowances and participation in social security (FICA) and state retirement programs (KPERS).
Salary Range: Salary commensurate with education and experience.
Position Status: Full-Time
How To Apply
To be considered, all of the following materials must be submitted to the address below:
Human Resources Office
Executive Director of Workforce & Career Advancement
Seward County Community College
PO Box 1137
Liberal KS 67901-1137
Selection Process
The search committee will conduct all minimum qualification appraisals as set forth on the position announcement and job description and reserve the right to limit the number of interviews granted. Meeting the minimum qualifications for a position does not assure the applicant an interview. Applicants selected for an interview will be notified of the time and place of the interview. Interviews are usually conducted on campus by the search committee. Additional interviews and/or teaching demonstrations may be required.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug Free Campus
Other Information
Responsibilities
The Executive Director of Workforce & Career Advancement provides strategic leadership for an integrated workforce development model that connects Adult Education, Business & Industry training, employer partnerships, career pathway development, student navigation, and employment engagement. The Executive Director is responsible for advancing SCCC’s efforts to create seamless education-to-employment pathways that support adult learners, traditional students, employers, and the regional workforce. This position oversees the coordination and alignment of Adult Education and foundational learning programs; Business & Industry contract training and continuing education; workforce partnerships; apprenticeship and work-based learning initiatives; career pathway development; Ability-to-Benefit and related student access strategies; and career services/employment outcome initiatives as assigned. The Executive Director works collaboratively with academic leadership, faculty, employers, community partners, state agencies, and grant partners to strengthen workforce responsiveness, student advancement, and institutional alignment with emerging state and federal priorities. The Executive Director also provides leadership for program planning, grant implementation and compliance, staff supervision, budget development, employer engagement, data-informed decision-making, and the continuous improvement of workforce and career advancement initiatives.
Essential Functions
- Workforce development, employer engagement, and regional labor market needs
- Adult Education program operations, state and federal grant expectations, and student performance accountability
- Business & Industry contract training, continuing education, and non-credit workforce programming
- Career pathways, stackable credentials, student transition models, and education-to-employment strategies
- Ability-to-Benefit, workforce preparation, and integrated education and training concepts
- Apprenticeships, internships, work-based learning, and career-connected training
- Grant development, implementation, compliance, reporting, and evaluation
- Budget development and fiscal management
- Staff supervision, performance management, and organizational leadership
- Strategic planning, continuous improvement, and data-informed decision-making
- Employer, community, and economic development partnerships
- Program development and implementation
- Public speaking and professional presentations
- Written communication, report preparation, and proposal development
- Data analysis and interpretation for decision-making
- Collaboration across departments and functional areas
- Ability to balance compliance, innovation, employer needs, and student-centered outcomes
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
- Master’s degree required in education, adult education, workforce development, higher education leadership, organizational leadership, business, public administration, or related field. Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in workforce development, Adult Education, career and technical education, continuing education, business and industry training, grant-funded programming, or a closely related field.
- A graduate degree is important due to leadership expectations for Adult Education program administration and broader executive-level oversight of workforce pathway development
Competitive salary. Participation in college Flexible Benefits program which includes options for single and family health and dental coverage, optional insurances, and reimbursement accounts. Other benefits include: income protection insurance; matching annuity; SCCC tuition reimbursement for employee and dependents; annual and sick leave allowances and participation in social security (FICA) and state retirement programs (KPERS).
Salary Range: Salary commensurate with education and experience.
Position Status: Full-Time
- Successful applicant will be required to pass a criminal background check prior to employment.
- Separate application required for additional or future openings.
How To Apply
To be considered, all of the following materials must be submitted to the address below:
- Completed and signed Seward County Community College application.
- Cover letter
- Job-related resume including contact information for three professional references.
- Copies of transcripts from highest post-secondary institution (unofficial are accepted) and copies of any relevant certifications, if applicable.
Human Resources Office
Executive Director of Workforce & Career Advancement
Seward County Community College
PO Box 1137
Liberal KS 67901-1137
Selection Process
The search committee will conduct all minimum qualification appraisals as set forth on the position announcement and job description and reserve the right to limit the number of interviews granted. Meeting the minimum qualifications for a position does not assure the applicant an interview. Applicants selected for an interview will be notified of the time and place of the interview. Interviews are usually conducted on campus by the search committee. Additional interviews and/or teaching demonstrations may be required.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug Free Campus
Other Information
- Clery Act Campus Safety and Security Report
- FMLA English
- FMLA Spanish