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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