Executive, Workforce Development <> Greater Memphis Chamber

Greater Memphis Chamber

Position Description

Job Title:                           Executive Director, Workforce Development

Department:                  Workforce Development       

Position Reports to:   The VP of Talent Innovation and Community Development

FLSA Status:                   Exempt

PURPOSE: 

The Greater Memphis Chamber (Chamber) serves as both the Fiscal Agent and Staff to the Greater Memphis Local Workforce Development Board.  As such, the Chamber is seeking an Executive Director to plan, implement, and direct workforce development activities, of the Greater Memphis Workforce Development Board (GMWDB), carrying out its policies and administering day to day activities and programs in accordance with legal responsibilities and Board philosophies and values.

The Executive Director’s responsibilities fall into the following major categories: policy and system building; stakeholder support; external relations and administration and compliance.  The Executive Director is an employee of the Greater Memphis Chamber, who in its capacity as the Fiscal Agent and Staff to the GMWDB, reports directly to the GMWDB and the Chief Local Elected Official (CLEO).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

Responsibilities listed below are provided both directly and through delegation and oversight as appropriate and necessary to maintain smooth departmental operations.

1. Serve as the senior staff member of the Workforce Development Board, providing training to new members; organizing Board development and strategic planning efforts; collaborating with the Chair to schedule Board meetings, develop agendas, and disseminate meeting materials; informing membership of relevant issues; maintaining Board membership in accordance with legislation and bylaws; assisting Board in fulfilling its legal and ethical obligations.

2. Staff appropriate Board committee(s), working closely with committee chairs to schedule meetings, plan agendas and ensure assignments and expectations are carried out; coordinate other Board committee work with department staff to ensure staffing and implementation of Board and committee policies and recommendations.

3. Guide the Board in preparation of strategic plan and other community leadership publications; serve as official spokesperson for the Board; serve as Board liaison with local governments, organizations, businesses, and other entities with an interest in workforce development issues.

4. Coordinate with Chief Elected Official, Local Elected Officials, and the Chamber to schedule and plan meeting agendas, review annual plans and modifications, and guide board in making timely and appropriate appointments to the Workforce Development Board.

5. Build community and organizational relationships. Lead efforts to implement innovative and effective initiatives and services through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and other funding sources. Develop broad policy guidance to direct regional career, job training, and employment initiatives.  Lead other projects that enhance development of a consolidated regional system. Work closely with the business community to understand job trends and to connect employers with a trained workforce to fill vacant jobs.

6. Make presentations to public and civic groups on matters of significance to the system; participate in community meetings and other public events that advance the Board’s leadership role in workforce development and economic development issues; participate in state, regional, and national meetings, conferences, and training sessions designed to enhance professional knowledge and skills.

7. Review relevant data and literature to keep abreast of current trends and developments in the field of workforce development and communicate key findings to appropriate individuals and organizations; maintain knowledge of additional funding opportunities and be able to successfully implement with little or no prior preparation time.

8. Oversight of the production and distribution of public communications materials that identify the purpose, goals, and achievements of the Board and those that market the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Greater Memphis American Job Centers and System, including newsletters, AJC publications, news releases, WDB strategic plans, State of the Workforce reports, Workforce Development annual reports, and other relevant public documents using website(s), various social media, press releases, and written publications.

9. Ensure development of Local Area workforce plans, policies and procedures, modifications, and budgets by department staff and in keeping with Board policy.

10. Determine equitable allocation of funds in consultation with the GMWDB and designated staff; assess and evaluate service delivery strategies and service provider outcomes; oversee performance measurements and standards as established by federal and state regulations and the Workforce Development Board.

11. Coordinate development of all budgets; work closely with Fiscal Agent staff to monitor expenditures of funds; analyze data, operational, and management reports for the region; prepare, review, and submit reports concerning activities, budget, expenses, and other items affecting program services.

12. Oversee contract negotiations and agreements for funding and implementation of programs; develop professional services requests, review proposals, manage the process for selecting contractors, prepare contracts; oversee implementation of contracts; ensure that obligations are met; that invoices are received, processed, and within parameters of contract budgets.

13. Guide staff in preparation of policies for the Greater Memphis American Job Center System, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and such other systems and legislation as may fall under the Department’s purview; review progress of centers toward goal build regional business plans and report progress and discrepancies to the Board; direct continuous improvement campaigns for Greater Memphis American Job Centers; advocate and lead effort to build  regional one-stop career center system.

14. Direct and oversee department staff in assignment and conduct of their respective responsibilities to include hiring, training, coaching, evaluating, disciplining, and recommendation for change in status, including promotion, demotion, suspension, and termination.

15. Provide professional development opportunities to department staff to enhance and upgrade skills to meet current demands.

16. Always Represent the Chamber, the CLEO and the Workforce Development Board in a respectful and professional manner.

REQUIREMENTS:

A bachelor's degree in a relevant area, and (5) years of full-time senior level management experience that exhibits the candidate’s ability to effectively perform the duties and tasks related to this position.

A master's degree is preferred.

Comprehensive understanding of the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act and OMB guidelines.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Position requires  strong grant management and leadership skills; effective written and oral communication abilities,  including the ability to speak comfortably before large audiences and to engage in open dialogue; ability to convey complex concepts accurately and succinctly to distinctly address different audiences, (both verbally and in writing); ability to build consensus among workforce system stakeholders; knowledge and skill regarding administration of an entity with responsibility to oversee multi-million dollar grant budgets, and administrative processes; strong commitment to improving employment and economic opportunities for all members of the community; thorough knowledge of federal and state workforce development and other pertinent legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures; thorough knowledge of the state’s open meetings requirements; general knowledge of and ability to operate personal computers, associated software applications, hardware and peripheral equipment; thorough understanding of and ability to effectively use social media and other 21st century communication tools to advance the goals of the WDB; demonstrated support for diversity within department and among contracted organizations; understanding of and commitment to continuous quality improvement processes; ability to work and manage effectively in dynamic and rapidly changing environment; capable of multi-tasking in a complex organizational setting.

ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Work is conducted in a typical indoor office environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is:

• frequently required to sit, talk, and hear; 
• occasionally required to walk;
• regularly uses hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls;
• constantly reaches with hands and arms;
• occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 30 pounds;
• regularly uses close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it was not meant to be all-inclusive of the tasks that may be assigned.