Program Manager Strategic Initiatives Jobs in Maryland

Introduction
The Governor's Workforce Development Board (GWBD) serves as the Governor's chief strategy and policy-making body for workforce development in Maryland. The GWBD brings together leaders from business, labor, education, community organizations, and government to collaborate on business-driven workforce strategies that strengthen Maryland's economic competitiveness and expand pathways to work, and wealth for all Marylanders. Established in 2022 under the Blueprint for Maryland's Future ("the Blueprint"), the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Committee operates within the GWBD to guide the development of an integrated, globally competitive, and aligned CTE system across Maryland's public schools, postsecondary institutions, and workforce systems.
This position leads high priority strategic initiatives that advance statewide career-connected learning particularly CTE, apprenticeship, career pathways alignment, and implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future. The Manager applies strategic systems thinking, project management, data analysis, relationship building, and clear communication to identify implementation challenges, elevate effective practices, and develop recommendations that strengthen Maryland's CTE and career-connected learning systems.
GRADE
20
LOCATION OF POSITION
100 South Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Main Purpose of Job
This position leads high-priority strategic initiatives that advance statewide career-connected learning, particularly CTE, apprenticeship, career pathways alignment, and implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future. The Manager applies strategic systems thinking, project management, data analysis, relationship building, and clear communication to identify implementation challenges, elevate effective practices, and develop recommendations that strengthen Maryland's CTE and career-connected learning systems.
POSITION DUTIES
Duties of this position include, but are not limited to:
Lead Strategic Initiatives and Systems Improvement: Lead high-priority strategic initiatives that advance statewide career-connected learning, with a focus on CTE, apprenticeship, career pathways mapping, Perkins-aligned investments, and other CTE Committee priorities. Develop and manage project plans, timelines, stakeholder engagement strategies, and implementation tools or initiatives that strengthen alignment across secondary education, postsecondary education, workforce development, and industry. Identify implementation barriers and propose practical solutions, including recommendations related to policy, regulation, legislation, technical assistance, funding alignment, and statewide scaling of effective practices.
Cross-Agency Collaboration, Stakeholder Engagement, and Technical Assistance: Coordinate complex cross-agency and cross-sector initiatives involving state agencies, LEAs, postsecondary institutions, employers, workforce organizations, and community partners. Serve as a liaison among partners to build consensus, facilitate workgroups, support communities of practice, and advance implementation of statewide career-connected learning priorities. Represent the Senior Director and CTE Committee in meeting, presentations, and collaborative planning efforts, as assigned. Support the development and delivery of technical assistance, tools, resources, and communications to help local partners implement CTE, apprenticeship, and career-connected learning strategies.
Oversee Data, Analysis, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement: Oversee the collections, analysis, and synthesis of qualitative and quantitative data related to CTE and career-connected learning implementation. Use CTE Expert Review Team (ERT) findings, Perkins data, labor market information. LEA data, stakeholder feedback, and national best practices to identify trends, implementation challenges, promising models, and opportunities for system improvement. Lead or review analysis and written products, including reports, memos, briefs, dashboards, recommendations, and materials for CTE Committee, GWBD leadership, state partners, LEAs, and other stakeholders. Provide lead-worker direction to the Research Data Analyst on data collection, analysis, dashboards, and report development.
CTE Expert Team Transition, Strategy, and Implementation: Support the planning, coordination, analysis, and follow-up for CTE Expert Review Team (ERT) activities during the transition period, including remaining LEA visits, post-visit reports, and synthesis of findings from visits conducted to date. In partnership with GWDB staff, state partners, contractors, and the CTE Committee, develop recommendations for the future structure, timeline, staffing, and strategic value of the CTE ERT program. Ensure CTE ERT findings informs broader statewide priorities, including technical assistance, policy recommendations, career pathways alignment, and continuous improvement of Blueprint implementation.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
Experience: Six years of administrative staff or professional work.
Notes:
1. Candidates may substitute 30 credit hours from an accredited college or university for each year up to four years of the required experience.
2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and two years of experience in administrative staff or professional work for the required experience.
3. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university for five years of the required experience.
4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer involving staff work related to the administration of rules, regulations, policy, procedures and processes, or overseeing or coordinating unit operations or functioning as a staff assistant to a higher ranking commissioned officer on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.
SELECTIVE QUALIFICATIONS
1. Applicants must possess a minimum of five (5) years of recent (i.e. within the last 10 years) professional experience in Career and Technical Education (CTE). Qualifying experience must include direct responsibility for CTE program administration, Perkins V implementation, career pathway development, CTE policy, or related statewide or regional CTE initiatives within secondary, postsecondary, state education, or national CTE organizations. Experience in education, workforce development, or other related fields without direct CTE responsibilities does not qualify.
2. Two years of experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives and managing projects involving multiple stakeholders.
3. Experience with written and verbal communication, inclusive of drafting reports, policies, and communication materials (developing slides, providing technical assistance etc.).
4. Experience in utilizing tools for a functioning hybrid workspace such as Google Drive and virtual meeting platforms.
DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification (s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.
1. Experience implementing or supporting federally funded education or workforce programs, such as Perkins V, WIOA, Registered Apprenticeship, industry-recognized credentials, or career pathways initiative.
2. A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
All candidates are subject to a background check against files maintained by the Division of Unemployment Insurance (LABOR/DUI) to determine whether any monies are owed to LABOR/DUI as a result of unemployment overpayment/fraud. Any unpaid debt may have an impact on whether or not a candidate is offered employment.
SELECTION PROCESS
Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.
Resumes are accepted as additional information only; however, the application must be completed in its entirety or it will be subject to rejection.
All information concerning the qualifications, including any required documentation (diploma, transcript, certificate, etc.) must be submitted and received by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be considered.
For positions that require Bachelor/Master Degree etc:
For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire. For further information, you may call International Consultants of Delaware, Inc. (302) 737-8715 or World Education Services Inc. 1-800-932-3897 or (202) 331-2925.
EXAMINATION PROCESS
The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.
The examination for this recruitment will be an evaluation and rating of the information provided on your application. Therefore, it is essential that the application is filled out completely and accurately, listing all relevant education and experience, addressing the specific qualifications shown above and submitting any required documentation (diploma, transcript, certification, license, etc.). Please include clear, detailed and specific information on your application regarding experience qualifications related to the minimum qualifications, desired, and/or selective qualifications of the position.
BENEFITS
STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
The online application is STRONGLY preferred. However, if you are unable to apply online, or having difficulty with your login or password, please contact DBM's Helpdesk directly at (410) 767-4850 (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, except for holidays and weekends). After business hours, please submit an email request to Application.Help@maryland.gov. If you encounter difficulty attaching required or optional documentation, you may submit via mail or deliver in person. Please be sure to include your name, identification number (Easy ID#) and job announcement number on any documentation to ensure timely processing.
We thank our Veterans for their service to our country and encourage them to apply. If you are seeking a veteran's preference, please submit a copy of your DD-214.
The paper application must be received by 5 pm, close of business, on the closing date for the recruitment. No postmarks will be accepted. Incorrect application forms will not be accepted.
PLEASE DO NOT FAX OR EMAIL UNSOLICITED DOCUMENTATION.
Completed applications, required documentation, and any required addendums may be mailed to:
Maryland Department of Labor/ Office of Administration
Attn: Erin Alton 26-003184-0011
100 S. Charles Street, 5th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay
For additional information, please contact Erin Alston 410-230-6301 at or via email erin.altson1@maryland.gov.
The MD State Application Form can be found online.
Maryland Department of Labor is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of LABOR that all persons have equal opportunity and access to employment opportunities, services, and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status.