Executive Director Job at Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County in Fort Worth

Company Overview: Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County (WSTC) under the direction of the Texas Workforce Commission is one of 28 local workforce development boards located throughout the state. The Workforce Development Board serves Tarrant County through a network of partners. The primary goal of WSTC is to respond to the needs of Texas employers and workers through locally designed market driven workforce development initiatives.

Funding and operational oversight for the Board’s activities are provided by the Texas Workforce Commission, as provided for in House Bill 1863 of the 74th Texas Legislature. Major programs operated by the Board include employment and training services delivered through our network of five Workforce Centers located throughout Tarrant County and a federally-funded subsidized child care program that makes it possible for an average of 8,500 children per day to receive care from licensed child care providers throughout Tarrant County.

WSTC is a large urban workforce development system with a $122M annual budget. Its vision is to provide a well-trained, productive, equitable and fully employed workforce that supports the needs of local employers, promotes regional prosperity and improves quality of life.

Position: Reporting to the Workforce Development Board, the Executive Director is responsible for overseeing the organization’s efforts to foster economic growth and workforce development in the North Texas region and creating opportunities for job seekers facing systemic barriers to move into quality jobs. The Executive Director plays a crucial role in leading the Board’s efforts to create a competitive workforce for the region while ensuring compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. The successful candidate will be responsible for the overall management and direction of the organization, working closely with board members, local officials, and numerous community partners to achieve the Board’s mission and vision.

This role will maintain regular interactions with government leaders, educational institutions, businesses, and community-based human serves to keep WSTC aligned and integrated with services for shared customers. The successful candidate will be an individual who understands the need to partner with business and community groups to prepare the existing and future workforce for in-demand jobs through practical skills development programs.

Responsibilities

· Reports to and provides administrative support to the Local Workforce Development Board and the Workforce Governing Board (composed of elected officials) and is responsible for overseeing the organization and performance of the staff supporting the boards, including various contractors, and reporting to its funding authorities.

· Oversees the development and implementation of strategic plans that align with the Board’s mission and vision, regional economic goals, and employment needs of the area’s employers and job seekers.

· Monitors and evaluates all operating functions to ensure the achievement of contracted performance standards, customer satisfaction targets, and quality service levels. Maintains compliance with established rules, regulations, and policies for multiple programs in an integrated one-stop environment. Major programs include the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Child Care and Development Fund, Adult Education and Literacy, Choices (employment and training for recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families), and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training.

· Responsible for ensuring compliance with the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Uniform Guidance, and the State of Texas Grant Management Standards in the financial management of a complex budget consistently exceeding $100 million and all contract management and administration.

· Acts as organizational lead for funding authorities, including federal and state agencies.

· Embraces innovation and the effective use of new technologies to enhance the performance of all systems and successful delivery of services to internal and external stakeholders.

· Oversees the alignment of business services functions with local businesses’ talent acquisition and development needs.

· Maintains knowledge of local, state and national economic and employment trends, unemployment statistics, performance metrics, and labor market data to evaluate the conditions and overall demands of the local workforce system.

· Ensures the organization serves job seekers with an understanding and techniques for addressing the barriers faced by economically disadvantaged individuals and other people with barriers to good jobs.

· Manages external relations and public relations on behalf of the organization, including collaboration to define and address issues and presentations to the public, news media, state and federal agencies, community organizations, and the business community.

· Participates in leadership activities in both the local, state, and national arena of workforce development strategy and applies innovations locally as appropriate.

Qualifications and Requirements:

· BA or BS degree in Business or Public Administration, Human Resources, Education or a related field with seven years or more in progressively responsible public sector experience in workforce development and workforce systems. Masters degree preferred.

· Solid business acumen and a history of providing visionary leadership at the executive level; ability to effectively interpret financial statements, adhere to a budget, develop forecasts, identify areas for improvement, and identify solutions.

· Ability to collaborate, build, and maintain partnerships with agencies and organizations to meet Workforce Development Board goals and maintain program requirements.

· Staying informed about local, state, and federal legislation, rules, regulations, policies and issues that might affect the Workforce Development Board and its programs. Demonstrated effectiveness in seeking out and/or developing income-generating opportunities.

· Strong passion for the mission and vision of the organization.

· Skilled in building strong working relationships with board members, executive leaders, elected officials, community organization, and the public.

· Excellent oral, written, and leadership skills; assured public presence and comfort level with staff, business, and community leaders. Capable of making dynamic presentations to the public, news media, state and federal agencies, community organizations, the business community, elected officials, associations, and other organizations.

· Extensive strategic leadership experience in the management of organizations and the ability to communicate the case for support in lay terms to boards and other stakeholders.

· Strong listening skills and the ability to display sensitivity, tact, and responsiveness in diverse situations while upholding confidentiality.

· Demonstration of effective leadership qualities, as well as strong analytical and problem-solving skills, is essential.