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Director Of Workforce Development Jobs in California

$6.0K - $6.6K/mo

As a member of the Academy team you will be engaging in communal development of heart, mind, and ... The Academy is based near, but not on campus, and does not have direct responsibilities for working ...

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Workforce Development Specialist - Bay Area Academy

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$87K - $90K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Bay Area Academy (BAA) is a program of the College of Health and Human Services, Department of ... The Workforce Development Specialist (WDS) develops and implements Annual Service Delivery Plans ...

Deputy Director, Econ/Workforce Dev

Oakland, CA · On-site

$172K - $212K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

The Deputy Director of Economic & Workforce Development manages the Workforce Development Division and serves as the Executive Director of Oakland's Workforce Development Board (OWDB). In this dual ...

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Director Of Workforce Development information

See California salary details

$15.8K

$84.1K

$127.8K

How much do director of workforce development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of workforce development in California is $84,097.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,700.00 and $108,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a director of workforce development?

A director of workforce development manages the workforce development programs within an organization. Your responsibilities and duties in this career can drastically differ based upon the needs of the specific company. Typically, your responsibilities are to develop and implement plans for workforce training, supervise the employees within the workforce development department, coordinate with other managers to determine areas that need attention, and administer new training plans and practices for the organization. As director of workforce development, you must stay up to date on current training practices and trends in the labor markets. Additionally, you may be responsible for providing reports on the efficiency of the company’s staff.

What are some typical challenges faced by a director of workforce development, and how can they be addressed?

A Director of Workforce Development often encounters challenges such as aligning workforce training initiatives with rapidly changing industry needs and ensuring equitable access to programs across diverse communities. Addressing these challenges requires close collaboration with employers, educational institutions, and community organizations to stay informed about skill gaps and employment trends. Building flexible, data-driven programs and fostering relationships with stakeholders are key strategies for overcoming these obstacles and driving successful workforce outcomes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of workforce development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director Of Workforce Development, you need expertise in workforce planning, program management, and a background in human resources or a related field, often supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Familiarity with labor market analysis tools, learning management systems (LMS), and compliance with employment regulations is typically required. Strong leadership, collaboration, and strategic communication skills help build partnerships and drive organizational initiatives. These skills are crucial for designing effective workforce strategies that address organizational needs and foster talent development.

What is the difference between Director Of Workforce Development vs Workforce Development Coordinator?

AspectDirector Of Workforce DevelopmentWorkforce Development Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's degree; often advanced degrees in HR, public administration, or related fieldsAssociate's or Bachelor's degree; relevant certifications may include HR or training certifications
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles in organizations, overseeing programs and teamsSupport roles, assisting in program implementation and coordination
Employer & Industry UsageGovernment agencies, large nonprofits, educational institutionsCommunity organizations, government offices, educational institutions
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding senior roles and responsibilities in workforce programsEntry to mid-level roles focusing on program support and coordination

The main difference between a Director Of Workforce Development and a Workforce Development Coordinator lies in their level of responsibility and scope. The director oversees strategic planning and manages teams, while the coordinator handles day-to-day program support. Both roles are vital in workforce development initiatives but differ in seniority and focus.

What are popular job titles related to Director Of Workforce Development jobs in California?

For Director Of Workforce Development jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Director Of Workforce Development jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Of Workforce Development jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Director Of Workforce Development jobs?

Cities in California with the most Director Of Workforce Development job openings:

Infographic showing various Director Of Workforce Development job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,097 per year, or $40.4 per hour.

Director of Workforce Development

GLIDE

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

About Glide
GLIDE is a nationally recognized center for social justice, dedicated to fighting systemic injustices, creating pathways out of poverty and crisis, and transforming lives. Through its integrated comprehensive services, advocacy initiatives, and inclusive community, GLIDE empowers individuals, families, and children to achieve stability and to thrive. GLIDE is on the forefront of addressing some of society's most pressing issues, including poverty, housing and homelessness, and racial and social justice. GLIDE's mission is to create a radically inclusive, just, and loving community mobilized to alleviate suffering and break the cycles of poverty and marginalization.

Position Summary
The Director of Workforce Development leads strategy, implementation, and operational oversight for GLIDE's workforce development programs. This role is directly responsible for the successful implementation and oversight of pathway development and community training programs that support recruitment, orientation, participation preparation, job readiness, employment placement, career advancement, and long-term economic mobility for participants experiencing poverty, housing instability, prior judicial system involvement, and other structural barriers.

The Director leads and coordinates workforce initiatives across GLIDE programs, ensuring effective collaboration and alignment with organizational priorities, funder requirements, and participant needs. The role provides leadership across program design, implementation, performance management, and service quality, while working closely with housing, case management, behavioral health, the Center for Social Justice, and other programs across GLIDE's life domains to ensure cohesive and effective support for workforce participants. This Director is also charged with building effective wrap-around services to support program participants. GLIDE seeks a proven, collaborative, equity-centered leader who can supervise staff, manage partnerships, coordinate workforce efforts across all departments, meet deliverables and strengthen employer and training relationships.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned, and responsibilities are subject to change based on program and organizational needs.
  Provide leadership and oversight for GLIDE's workforce initiatives, including planning, implementation, coordination, and continuous improvement aligned with best practices
Lead and support workforce service delivery that may include career navigation, job readiness activities, group workshops, employer engagement, and individualized participant support, ensuring services are trauma-informed, equity-driven, and responsive to the needs of component programs geared specifically toward youth, women, formerly incarcerated persons, and other specific groups as the program develops. 
Build strong ties and integration with community partners, funders, employers, potential employers, training providers, and other nonprofits to expand opportunities for participants and funding opportunities for all GLIDE workforce programs.
  Design, implement, and oversee content, case management procedures, and systems for participant recruitment, enrollment, and progression through workforce pathways, including assessment, goal setting, barrier reduction, service planning, and reporting on progress through coordinated care for economic mobility across GLIDE's 10 life domains, as required by program design and funding requirements.
Supervise, coach, coordinate, and support workforce staff and partners, setting clear expectations, promoting accountability, and ensuring service deliverables.
  Ensure timely, accurate, and compliant documentation, data entry, and reporting in required systems (e.g., ONE System, Salesforce, Carbon, or other funder-mandated databases), as well as compliance with all applicable contractual, regulatory, and ethical standards, including confidentiality, data privacy, and funder requirements.
Monitor program budget, performance, outcomes, and deliverables across funding streams, using data to inform decision-making and continuous quality improvement.
  Represent GLIDE in workforce convenings, collaborative meetings, and community events related to workforce, employment, and economic mobility.
Participate in and coordinate staff meetings, supervision, training, and cross-departmental planning to ensure alignment with organizational priorities and integrated service delivery.
  Engage in ongoing professional development to remain current on workforce development trends, best practices, and equity-centered approaches.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, workforce development, human services, education, or a related field preferred; OR equivalent combination of education, training, and professional experience in workforce development or related services. 
Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in workforce development, youth employment, or related human services work, including experience serving Transitional Age Youth (TAY), re-entry and/ or similar populations.
At least 3 years of experience in a leadership or supervisory role, with responsibility for program oversight, staff supervision, or project management.
  Demonstrated experience designing, managing, and coordinating workforce or employment-focused programs, including group facilitation, cohorts, and/or participant support.
Strong understanding of trauma-informed, healing-centered, and equity-based approaches to workforce and youth development best practices.
Must have strong project-management skills, works well in a fast pace organization; has the ability to meet deadlines with minimal direct supervision.
The ability to partner successfully with multiple stakeholders and collaborate across teams whenever needed.
Exceptionally strong interpersonal, networking and strategic thinking skills across diverse constituencies.
Ability to synthesize complex material, reports and meet all contract deliverables. 
Physical Requirements

  Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  
  Ability to work on a computer and see details of objects at a close range.  
  Ability to hear within a normal range, and communicate effectively (in person, telephone or zoom).  
  Finger dexterity and the ability to use all standard office equipment.  
  Sit or stand comfortably; and the ability to navigate throughout office spaces (via elevator or stairs).  

$110,000 - $125,000 a year

This is a full-time (40 hour/week) Exempt position

Work Environment
GLIDE's buildings are located in the Tenderloin neighborhood.GLIDE maintains an "open door" policy to the community and its clients, who frequently enter and leave the building.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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