Workforce Development Manager

Position Overview

A prominent Chicago-based non-profit community development organization is conducting a confidential search for a qualified, strategic Workforce Development Manager to direct and expand our workforce training initiatives. This role provides operational oversight for multi-faceted, grant-funded workforce initiatives, including pre-apprenticeship programs in the building trades and clean energy workforce pathways. The Manager ensures seamless program execution, high-impact participant outcomes, and strict compliance with the Illinois Works Jobs Program Act and the Illinois Clean Jobs Curriculum Framework.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Grant Management & Compliance: Oversee the day-to-day execution of state and foundation workforce grants, ensuring adherence to funder guidelines, regulatory mandates, and internal key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Operational Oversight: Direct all core program delivery functions, including community outreach, candidate recruitment, intake, wrap-around support services, technical instruction, career transition, and tracking.
• Performance Monitoring: Track and optimize core performance metrics, specifically participant attainment of industry-recognized credentials (e.g., NCCER Core, NABCEP PV Associate) and sustained placement rates into registered apprenticeships or clean energy employment.
• Staff Leadership: Recruit, onboard, coach, and evaluate a multidisciplinary instructional and support team, fostering accountability and continuous improvement.
• Stakeholder & Industry Engagement: Cultivate active partnerships with labor unions, regional utility companies, approved clean energy vendors, and DOL-registered apprenticeship programs to drive career placements.
• Data Integrity & Reporting: Maintain ultimate responsibility for data quality and timely compliance reporting across state tracking systems (such as IWRS) and industry-specific program databases.
• Program Support: Execute additional operational duties as needed to support workforce division goals.

Qualifications

• Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Education, Public Administration, Non-Profit Management, or a related field preferred.
• Experience:
• 3–5 years of program management experience directly administering state or federal workforce grants (e.g., Illinois Works, WIOA, CEJA/FEJA).
• Minimum 3 years in a direct supervisory or management capacity.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA), and the construction/building trades ecosystem.
• Proficiency in CRM and analytics tools (e.g., Salesforce, Power BI, or Smartsheet).
• Skills & Requirements:
• Deep expertise in grant compliance, workforce metrics, and state reporting standards.
• Strong team leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and conflict-resolution abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for executive reporting and partner engagement.
• Willingness to travel locally up to 10% to support partner sites and program operations.

Application Instructions

This is a confidential search. Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume in PDF format to:

• Email: careers@teamsearches.com
• Subject Line: Confidential Application: Workforce Development Manager – [Applicant Last Name]
• Submission Deadline: September 30, 2026

All inquiries, applications, and submissions will be maintained in strict confidence.

Pay: $70,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person