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Position: Director of Workforce Development

INSTITUTE OVERVIEW

The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology (www.hudsonalpha.org) is a non-profit organization with the mission to use biotechnology and basic biological research to make important discoveries, improve human health, stimulate economic development, inspire young people to seek careers in science, and teach members of the public the importance of science in their everyday lives. Located in Cummings Research Park in Huntsville, Alabama, one of the world's leading science and technology parks, HudsonAlpha's campus contains state-of-the-art laboratories for biological research and development, as well as education, in the areas of genomics, genetics, and personalized medicine.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Educational Outreach is an essential component of the HudsonAlpha mission. The Institute seeks to expand interest in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields by developing instructional programs that spark students' curiosity and enable teachers to illustrate the potential of applied research. HudsonAlpha's education and outreach programs are organized around two guiding principles: preparing the future biotechnology workforce and cultivating awareness of the influence of genetics and biotechnology on the lives of all citizens.

POSITION SUMMARY

HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology seeks a strategically minded Director of Workforce Development to lead the design, growth, and sustainability of innovative STEM workforce programs. This role will build and manage education-to-career pathways that prepare learners for success in biotechnology, genomics, and related fields.

The Director of Workforce Development will oversee a portfolio of workforce initiatives spanning secondary, post-secondary, and professional audiences, with a strong emphasis on partnerships, grant-funded programs, and measurable outcomes. This position requires a collaborative leader who can translate workforce needs into impactful educational programs.

IMPACT

This role offers the opportunity to shape the future life sciences workforce by building pathways into high-impact careers. The Director of Workforce Development will play a central role in advancing HudsonAlpha's leadership in STEM education and workforce innovation at the regional and national levels.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy and Program Leadership

• Develop and execute a strategic vision for workforce development aligned with HudsonAlpha's mission and growth priorities
• Design and scale programs that prepare learners for careers in biotechnology and genomics
• Ensure programs demonstrate measurable impact

Partnership Development

• Build and maintain partnerships with:
  • Colleges and universities
  • Industry and biotech employers
  • Workforce and economic development organizations
  • Community and national education partners
  • HudsonAlpha faculty investigators and department leaders
• Cultivate collaborations that expand program reach and impact

Grant Development and Funding

• Lead and/or contribute to federal, foundation, and industry grant proposals
• Serve as PI or co-PI on funded programs when appropriate
• Oversee reporting, evaluation, and compliance for funded initiatives

Program Implementation and Oversight

• Manage a portfolio of workforce programs and experiential learning opportunities (ex. BioTrain summer internship program)
• Oversee recruitment, selection, and support of program participants
• Ensure high-quality participant experiences
• Develop and manage program budgets
• Supervise and mentor Workforce Development staff

Evaluation and Continuous Improvement

• Establish evaluation frameworks and track program outcomes
• Use data to improve program effectiveness and communicate impact
• Contribute to dissemination through reports, presentations, and publications

Institutional Leadership and Representation

• Serve as an internal thought leader on workforce trends and education strategy
• Support workforce development through collaborative efforts with local and state initiatives
• Represent HudsonAlpha at conferences, partner institutions, and national forums
• Collaborate with research, industry, and education teams to align initiatives

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred (STEM, education, or related field)
• 7–10+ years of experience in STEM workforce development, education programs, or related leadership roles
• Demonstrated experience designing and leading complex, multi-partner programs
• Proven success in securing or managing grant-funded initiatives
• Strong partnership-building skills across academia, industry, and nonprofits
• Experience supervising staff and managing budgets

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in life sciences, biotechnology, or genomics ecosystems
• Familiarity with research institutes or higher education environments
• Record of serving as PI or co-PI on federally funded programs
• Experience scaling regional or national workforce initiatives

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Strategic thinking and systems-level program design
• Strong relationship-building and external engagement skills
• Operational excellence and attention to execution
• Data-informed decision making
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Ability to balance vision with hands-on leadership
• Ability to represent HudsonAlpha externally

REPORTING STRUCTURE

This position reports to the Vice President of Educational Outreach and supervises workforce development specialists.

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors/Mental Functions

ADA Requirements – The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer - All job requirements are subject to possible revision to reflect changes in the position requirements or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a threat or risk to their own or others' health and safety. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties that will be required in this position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor/manager (within guidelines and compliance with Federal and State Laws). Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sit or stand) for prolonged periods (50% of the time).
• Constant moving during hosted events.
• Frequently position self (e.g. stoop, crouch, crawl, bend) and pull and push to maintain computers and audio/visual equipment in the classroom/laboratory.
• Must be able to transport materials required for various experiences. This includes lifting and moving up to 25 pounds of materials (e.g. small stacks of textbooks or media equipment) between classrooms/laboratories and to and from parking lots and buildings.
• Frequent operation of common office equipment (e.g. computers, mobile devices, calculators, copiers, scanners).
• Frequently move around a classroom or HudsonAlpha campus to monitor guests of HudsonAlpha.
• Vision abilities - close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust/focus.

Environmental Factors

• Moderate noise level (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).
• Workspace is generally an indoor office setting and in other common areas throughout HudsonAlpha with controlled temperature conditions.
• Occasional exposure to outdoor environment during portions of the workday including extreme cold or hot temperatures, or inclement weather conditions.

Mental Functions

• Maintain emotional control under stress.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in the English language.

It is the policy of HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, in accordance with all applicable laws, to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.