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Director Workforce Development Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

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Executive Director

Kansas City, KS · On-site

$137K/yr

Executive Director Location :KC Office Reports to : Chief Executive Officer Member of: Senior ... We are a nearly 30-year-old nonprofit workforce development organization dedicated to preparing ...

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Director Early Care & Education

Kansas City, KS · On-site

$80 - $100/hr

The Director of Early Care and Education (ECE) provides strategic leadership, operational oversight ... professional development offerings that strengthen the early childhood workforce across the ...

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Director Workforce Development information

What does a director of workforce development do?

A Director of Workforce Development leads efforts to design, implement, and oversee programs that enhance the skills and employability of a community's workforce. This role involves collaborating with businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies to identify workforce needs and create training programs that fill skill gaps. Directors often manage teams, secure funding, and evaluate the effectiveness of workforce initiatives. Their ultimate goal is to ensure that workers are prepared for current and future job opportunities, supporting both individual career growth and broader economic development.

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 program management, workforce planning, and labor market analysis, often backed by a bachelor's or master's degree in human resources, business, or a related field. Familiarity with HR information systems (HRIS), data analytics tools, and workforce development certifications such as CWDP is typically required. Strategic thinking, leadership, stakeholder engagement, and excellent communication are standout soft skills for this role. These abilities are crucial for developing effective workforce strategies, aligning talent initiatives with organizational goals, and fostering partnerships that drive organizational and community success.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of workforce development in aligning training programs with organizational goals?

A Director of Workforce Development often encounters the challenge of ensuring that training and development initiatives are closely aligned with both the immediate and long-term objectives of the organization. This requires staying updated on industry trends, regularly assessing workforce skill gaps, and collaborating with department leaders to anticipate future talent needs. Balancing budget constraints, rapidly changing technologies, and diverse learning preferences across the workforce can also present difficulties. Successful directors leverage data-driven strategies and maintain strong communication channels with stakeholders to overcome these challenges.

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

AspectDirector Workforce DevelopmentWorkforce Development Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor’s degree often required; advanced degrees preferred; experience in workforce programsAssociate or bachelor’s degree; relevant experience in workforce or community programs
Work EnvironmentLeadership role overseeing teams and programs; strategic planningOperational role supporting program implementation; administrative tasks
Employer & Industry UsageGovernment agencies, non-profits, educational institutionsCommunity organizations, government offices, training providers

The Director Workforce Development typically holds a higher-level leadership position, focusing on strategic planning and overseeing workforce programs. The Workforce Development Coordinator handles day-to-day program operations and supports implementation. Both roles are essential in workforce development initiatives but differ in scope and responsibilities.

Is workforce development a good career?

A career in workforce development, including roles like Workforce Development Director, involves coordinating training programs and employment initiatives to improve workforce skills. It offers opportunities in public and private sectors, often requiring strong communication, project management, and knowledge of labor market trends. The field can be rewarding for those interested in community development and economic growth.

What are the most commonly searched types of Workforce Development jobs in Kansas?

The most popular types of Workforce Development jobs in Kansas are:

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

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

What cities in Kansas are hiring for Director Workforce Development jobs?

Cities in Kansas with the most Director Workforce Development job openings:

Director Workforce Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Workforce Development job openings in Kansas as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Director of Workforce Development

Topeka, KS • On-site

Children's Alliance of Kansas
See more jobs at Children's Alliance of Kansasexternal

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Position Summary

The Children’s Alliance of Kansas (CAK) drives systems-level change to strengthen children and families through advocacy, networking, education, and workforce development. A key organizational priority is strengthening the child welfare workforce through coaching, training, leadership and professional development, and other supports that build individual and organizational capacity.

The Director of Workforce Development provides strategic, programmatic, and personnel leadership for CAK’s workforce development portfolio, including KanCoach, Resilience Alliance, the Workforce Academy, and emerging workforce development initiatives. The Director leads the development, implementation, growth, and continuous improvement of workforce strategies that align with organizational priorities, member needs, funding requirements, and evolving child welfare workforce needs. The position offers an opportunity to shape and strengthen CAK’s evolving workforce development strategy, building on established programs while contributing expertise to emerging areas of opportunity.

The Director reports to the Executive Vice President and provides direct supervision and leadership to designated workforce development staff. The role works in close partnership with the EVP and program managers to advance high-quality workforce development and professional coaching initiatives. Specific areas of strategic emphasis may evolve based on organizational priorities, available capacity, emerging opportunities, and the complementary experience, strengths, and expertise of the Director and EVP.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Workforce Development Strategy and Program Leadership

  • Lead the development, implementation, growth, and continuous improvement of CAK’s workforce development portfolio, including KanCoach, Resilience Alliance, the Workforce Academy, and emerging initiatives.
  • Translate organizational priorities, grants, contracts, and partnerships into clear program goals, implementation plans, staffing needs, deliverables, and measurable outcomes.
  • Provide leadership for program outreach, recruitment, enrollment goals, and expansion strategies in partnership with program staff.
  • Identify opportunities to strengthen or expand workforce development services and contribute to funding, proposal development, and sustainability planning.

Staff Leadership and Workforce Capacity

  • Provide direct supervision, leadership, performance management, professional development, and ongoing support to workforce development staff.
  • Manage workforce capacity, including coach assignments, schedules, caseloads, workloads, training coverage, and staffing priorities.
  • Foster a strengths-based, collaborative learning culture that promotes accountability, reflective practice, professional growth, and sustainable workloads.
  • Partner with the EVP to coordinate staffing needs across KanCoach, Resilience Alliance, the Workforce Academy, Professional Coaching Service, Group Coaching, and emerging initiatives.

Program Quality and Professional Development

  • Ensure workforce development programs and coaching services are implemented with quality, consistency, accountability, and attention to measurable outcomes.
  • Use evaluation findings, participant feedback, data, research, and emerging best practices to guide continuous improvement.
  • Partner with the EVP and workforce development team to strengthen professional coaching practice, staff development, reflective learning, and opportunities for credentialing and continued growth.

Member and Stakeholder Engagement

  • Build and maintain strong relationships with member agencies, child welfare partners, funders, and other workforce stakeholders.
  • Engage child welfare leaders and professionals in identifying workforce needs and developing responsive strategies and services.
  • Represent CAK workforce development initiatives in meetings, presentations, learning events, and stakeholder discussions, including selected statewide opportunities.
  • Collaborate across CAK and provide leadership with timely information regarding program performance, staffing capacity, funding needs, risks, and opportunities.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Organizational Development, Education, Business, or a related field.
  • Background in child welfare or a closely related human services field.
  • Minimum five years of progressively responsible leadership experience, including experience supervising and developing staff.
  • Experience leading workforce development, professional development, training, coaching, or related programs and initiatives.
  • Experience managing complex priorities, program implementation, grants or contracts, deliverables, and stakeholder relationships.
  • Strong communication, relationship-building, strategic thinking, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in a related field.
  • Significant experience within the Kansas child welfare system.
  • Experience with professional coaching, KanCoach, Resilience Alliance, or other coaching-based workforce development approaches.
  • Familiarity with ICF Core Competencies and professional coaching standards.
  • Advanced leadership, workforce development, or coaching credentials.

Working Conditions

This is a hybrid position requiring regular in-person collaboration, meetings, supervision, and training activities, with regular in-state and occasional domestic travel. Some flexibility in working hours may be required based on program and partner needs.