Director Workforce Development Jobs in Wheaton, IL

OVERVIEW:

The National Market Leader exists to accelerate Year Up United's growth by expanding employer demand, cultivating strategic partnerships, increasing philanthropic and public investment, and developing thriving regional ecosystems that create more pathways to meaningful careers for young adults.
The National Market Leader is a critical Senior Director role responsible for leading a high-performing team of Regional Market Leaders while directly overseeing one assigned region. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, with a dotted-line relationship to the Chief Talent Networks Officer, this leader develops integrated market growth strategies that increase employer demand, philanthropic investment, strategic partnerships, and public-sector engagement.
Working across Corporate Engagement, Development, Enrollment, Program Delivery, Marketing, YUPRO, Grads of Life, and other enterprise teams, the National Market Leader identifies emerging market opportunities, aligns cross-functional efforts, and serves as Year Up United's senior representative with employers, local, state, and federal government leaders, workforce boards, economic development organizations, higher education institutions, philanthropic partners, and community organizations. In partnership with Development, this leader identifies and pursues philanthropic and government funding opportunities that expand Year Up United's impact.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Drive market expansion by developing integrated growth strategies that increase employer demand, diversify revenue, and strengthen Year Up United's market presence.
• Originate business development opportunities that expand employer partnerships, workforce solutions, apprenticeships, Career Connect, Career Labs, and future offerings.
• Partner with Corporate Engagement to grow employer demand and create additional pathways to meaningful careers.
• Serve as Year Up United's executive representative with local, state, and federal government leaders, workforce boards, and economic development organizations.
• Partner with Development to identify, cultivate, and pursue philanthropic investments and government grant opportunities.
• Develop annual market growth plans with measurable objectives for employer engagement, diversified revenue, strategic partnerships, and participant outcomes.

• Develop regional market strategies aligned with enterprise priorities.
• Identify emerging industries, occupations, labor market trends, and regional growth opportunities.
• Translate market intelligence into recommendations for enterprise strategy, investments, and new offerings.
• Advance innovative workforce solutions through partnerships with employers, higher education, and workforce organizations.
• Leverage Advisory Boards and Market Advisory Councils to validate priorities and accelerate market growth.
• Share scalable growth strategies and best practices across regions.

• Build executive relationships across employers, philanthropy, government, higher education, and community organizations.
• Convene employers, elected officials, workforce leaders, philanthropic partners, and civic organizations around shared workforce priorities.
• Position Year Up United as the workforce development partner of choice through executive engagement, public speaking, and thought leadership.
• Expand alumni engagement to strengthen advocacy, mentoring, employer partnerships, and community impact.

• Lead and develop Regional Market Leaders.
• Align Corporate Engagement, Development, Enrollment, Program Delivery, Marketing, YUPRO, Grads of Life, and other enterprise teams around one integrated market strategy.
• Provide the Executive Team with market intelligence, growth opportunities, and strategic recommendations.
• Represent Market Leadership in enterprise planning, innovation, and transformation initiatives.
• Monitor market performance and coach Regional Market Leaders to achieve measurable growth and impact.

• Coach Regional Market Leaders to become strategic growth leaders and ecosystem builders.
• Provide oversight to the Director of Market Operations.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Live the values of Year Up United.
• Participate in enterprise initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness and growth.
• Support students through coaching, mentoring, facilitation, and Learning Community participation.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 12+ years of executive leadership in workforce development, business development, market expansion, economic development, or public-private partnerships.
• Demonstrated success driving organizational growth through strategic partnerships and ecosystem development.
• Experience cultivating executive relationships across employers, philanthropy, government, workforce systems, and higher education.
• Experience identifying and supporting philanthropic and government funding opportunities in partnership with Development.
• Strong commercial mindset and ability to translate market opportunities into sustainable organizational growth.
• Exceptional executive communication, relationship management, public speaking, and storytelling skills.
• Deep understanding of workforce development, labor market dynamics, and economic mobility.
• Must reside in one of the assigned Regional Markets. Frequent travel required.

Salary Range: $180,000 - $220,000

WORKING AT YEAR UP UNITED:

Starting January 5, 2026, employees are expected to work on-site at least two days per week (Monday through Thursday dependent on job requirements). To be eligible for employment, candidates must live and work in a state (or an approved proximate state*) where Year Up United operates. For a list of eligible locations, please visit: https://www.yearup.org/job-training/locations

*Approved proximate states where Year Up United operates are: Connecticut, Indiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, South Carolina and Virginia.

• Year Up United has established salary ranges for each of our sites, which allows us to pay employees competitively, equitably and consistently in different geographic markets. For roles in which the location is listed as flexible, the range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Salary offers take into account a candidate's skills, experience, and location. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.

• Benefits: Comprehensive healthcare options and dental coverage; 401(k) match for eligible participants.

• Vacation: Earn three weeks paid vacation in first year of employment; four weeks after initial year.

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:

Year Up United is a national 501(c)3 workforce development organization committed to ensuring equitable access to economic opportunity, education, and justice for all young adults-no matter their background, income, or zip code. Employers face a growing need for talent while millions of talented young adults lack access to meaningful careers. These inequities only further perpetuate the opportunity gap that exists in our country-a gap that Year Up United is determined and positioned to close through three interconnected strategies: providing targeted skills training and connections to livable-wage employment for students and alumni; empowering others to serve and support young adults, and changing systems that perpetuate the opportunity gap. Year Up United's intensive training program utilizes a high expectations, high support model where students learn in-demand technical and professional skills and apply them during a corporate internship. Year Up United has directly served more than 40,000 young adults since its founding in 2000. Year Up United's nationwide presence includes Arizona, Austin, Bay Area, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Greater Atlanta, Greater Boston, Greater Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, the National Capital Region, New York City/Jersey City, Pittsburgh, Puget Sound, Rhode Island, South Florida, Tampa Bay, and Wilmington.

Voted one of the Best Nonprofits to Work For in the country by The NonProfit Times, Year Up United is a rewarding and impactful place to work. Our staff is passionate, supportive, mission-driven, and committed to positive change and continuous learning. We set high standards for both ourselves and our students and live by a set of core values that reflect an unshakable belief in the talent and potential of our young people. The work we do is life-changing, and we know that our team is the greatest asset in achieving our mission.

Year Up United embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. All aspects of employment, including the decision to hire, promote, discharge, or discipline, are based on meritocracy. We do not permit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws. Learn more about our commitment to diversity: http://www.yearup.org/about-us/careers/commitment-to-diversity/
Year Up United is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Your recruiter can provide details regarding the expected work environment and any physical requirements. Please let our hiring team know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume through our website.

We respectfully request no phone calls.