The Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) seeks an energetic individual to serve as Director of Strategic Initiatives for Workforce Development. Reporting to the Executive Vice President, the Director of Strategic Initiatives for Workforce Development’s primary focus will be to help develop organizational strategy and partnerships to propel MACNY’s growth as a leader in workforce development for the manufacturing ecosystem.  

In this role, you will work with the Talent Development Team to build and expand world-class programs that differentiate MACNY’s Registered Apprenticeship, Pre-Apprenticeship, and Work Based Learning programs, while squarely building organizational capacity to repeatedly scale such programs. Your duties will include strategic and organizational partnership, working with other internal and external teams to assist in planning and coordinating the financial, marketing, and operational efforts. You must coordinate and engage MACNY members and external partners to create valuable projects, analyze the efficacy of strategies, and implement new strategies to meet organizational goals. 

As a leader on the Talent Development Team, you must have the ability and desire to communicate with an open mind, and to treat everyone with respect regardless of position, gender, ethnicity, or education.  

The ideal candidate possesses strong personal and organizational skills along with a passion for developing career pathways and critical thinking skills to provide workforce solutions.  

Responsibilities and Duties 

This position will: 

• Work across interorganizational boundaries; understand the relationships between workforce development, economic development, educational partners, and federal and state government.  

• Understand and work with internal teams to inspire, align, improve, incentivize, and expand opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds to engage in manufacturing-intensive industries.  

• Communicate with a range of audiences at all levels of government and the private sector to build and expand workforce development programming. 

• Organize, plan, and execute workforce development programs in coordination with internal teams and external partners by focusing on outcomes, and nurturing partnerships. 

• Use strong external relations intuition, providing clarity and accountability while working with MACNY’s programmatic leads, marketing and communications, finance, and government relations teams.  

• Maintain and grow a strong professional network to achieve programmatic objectives. 

• Identify and capture new opportunities with external partners, while partnering with others internal teams to augment capabilities and programs. 

• Represent MACNY at regional, statewide and national meetings and events.  

• Manage and collaborate with MACNY personnel or consultants through formal and informal structures.   

Qualifications 

• Passion and hope for the future of America’s manufacturing workforce. 

• Able to think strategically and align programs with existing and potential opportunities.  

• Proven success with collaborative partnerships across departments and organizations.  

• Demonstrated excellence with project management and data analysis. 

• Proficiency in computer technology, including Microsoft Office applications, relational databases for customer relationship management, and other essential internet software. 

• Exceptional research and reporting skills. 

• Ability to organize, prioritize and monitor projects, tasks, and budgets. 

• Effective communication and presentation of innovative strategies for programmatic improvement.  

• Track record of providing consistent and effective communication and partnership with diverse stakeholders including federal, state, and philanthropic funding agencies, industrial partners, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations. 

• Ability to measure results and analyze impact. 

• Sound, basic technical foundations and a comprehensive understanding of workforce, technology, economy, and politics. 

• Excellent team collaboration, supervisory, and conflict resolution skills. 

• Frequent Travel will be required across New York State  

• Must have reliable transportation for frequent outreach and engagements.  

• Must have flexibility in availability to support occasional activities outside of regular business hours.  

• Completion of a satisfactory background check will be required.  

Preferred Qualifications  

• Five to seven years’ experience specializing in collaboration in the nexus of industry, academic, and non-profit workforce development interests.  

• Building initiatives at a regional, statewide, or national level, including externally funded programs, STEM outreach, technical training, apprenticeships, workshops, career fairs, and events. 

https://www.macny.org/

The Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(6) association representing over 300 businesses and organizations across Central and Upstate New York. About three-quarters of MACNY’s members are industrial companies with the remaining members consisting of accounting firms, insurance agencies, law firms, financial institutions, and other service providers that support manufacturers. 

  MACNY members supply the region, nation, and world with a variety of products and services. Distributed across 26 counties in Central and Upstate New York, MACNY’s member companies employ over 50,000 workers. For members and the community, MACNY’s staff provides a wide range of services, including training and leadership development, networking events, workforce development, human resources services, advocacy, energy and purchasing solutions, and organizational growth services and consulting. This portfolio is designed to provide members with the tools, information, people, and resources they need to compete in the global market. 

MACNY employment practices and procedures and conditions of employment are administered without discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, genetic characteristics, medical conditions, status as a victim of domestic violence, veteran status, special disabled veteran or disability, or non-job-related felony conviction record (or any other legally protected status) including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, promotion, training, compensation, benefits, retention and termination in accordance with applicable federal laws. 

Working Conditions 

• Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm. Must be flexible in availability to support occasional activities outside of regular business hours. Hybrid remote schedule.