Programs Director Jobs in Columbia, MD (NOW HIRING)

Description

The Managing Director, Workforce Programs provides national, enterprise-level leadership and oversight for all workforce development programs within the organization's portfolio, including federally funded, state-funded, and locally administered workforce initiatives such as Job Corps, WIOA-funded programs, youth and adult workforce initiatives, apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, sector-based training programs, and other public workforce development efforts.

This role is accountable for program compliance, participant outcomes, operational and financial performance, risk management, workforce partnerships, and alignment with U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), state workforce agencies, local workforce development boards, and other public-sector stakeholders.

As the senior executive responsible for Workforce Programs, the Managing Director serves as the primary corporate authority for strategic and operational oversight, acting as a key liaison between corporate leadership, program directors, federal officials, state and local agencies, workforce boards, education partners, and employers. The role blends strategic leadership with hands-on operational execution to ensure programs operate at peak performance while advancing innovation, scalability, and mission impact across multiple funding streams and jurisdictions.

The Managing Director is a strategic partner in the growth and diversification of the organization's workforce portfolio, supporting federal, state, and local procurements, contract rebids, program expansions, new start-ups, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Business Development & Portfolio Growth Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Executive Leadership

• Provide national leadership and executive oversight of workforce development programs across federal, state, and local funding environments, ensuring compliance, performance excellence, safety, and mission alignment.
• Establish and drive a cohesive workforce strategy that integrates Job Corps, WIOA, state workforce initiatives, local workforce board programs, and employer-driven training models.
• Advise the SVP, Workforce Innovations and executive leadership on workforce trends, public-sector opportunities, performance risks, and growth strategies across multiple jurisdictions.

Program Performance & Compliance

• Drive participant outcome performance across all workforce programs, including enrollment, retention, credential attainment, work-based learning, apprenticeships, and job placement.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal regulations (DOL, Job Corps PRH), state workforce agency requirements, local workforce board policies, and grant or contract-specific performance standards.
• Lead corrective action plans, technical assistance, and performance improvement initiatives across underperforming federal, state, or local programs.
• Prepare for and respond to audits, monitoring visits, investigations, and high-visibility inquiries from federal agencies, state oversight bodies, and local funders.

Operational & Financial Oversight

• Oversee operational, financial, and risk management functions across workforce programs, ensuring responsible stewardship of federal, state, and local public funds.
• Collaborate with Finance to manage multi-source funding models, cost allocations, budgets, and reporting requirements.
• Ensure effective internal controls, performance tracking systems, and risk mitigation strategies across all workforce programs.

Leadership & Talent Management

• Lead, coach, and hold Program Directors, Center Directors, regional leaders, and corporate workforce staff accountable for outcomes and compliance.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, professionalism, and continuous improvement across diverse workforce delivery models.
• Support leadership development, succession planning, and training initiatives aligned with evolving federal, state, and local workforce priorities.
• Promote behaviors aligned with the organization's Core Values and Code of Conduct.

Stakeholder, Government & Community Relations

• Serve as the primary corporate liaison to federal officials, state workforce agencies, local workforce development boards, education partners, elected officials, and employer partners.
• Build and sustain strategic partnerships with employers, industry associations, community-based organizations, and educational institutions to strengthen workforce pipelines.
• Represent the organization at federal briefings, state workforce convenings, local board meetings, legislative engagements, and national conferences.
• Support and lead workforce-related business development efforts, including federal, state, and local procurements, grants, cooperative agreements, and public-private partnerships.
• Contribute to proposal development, transition planning, and post-award implementation for new workforce programs. Support diversification of the workforce portfolio into emerging areas such as apprenticeships, sector partnerships, youth workforce programs, justice-involved populations, and re-entry initiatives.
• Collaborate with corporate teams to support growth initiatives for both the company and affiliated foundation.

Reporting, Training & Continuous Improvement

• Provide executive-level briefings, dashboards, and reports to senior leadership and governing bodies.
• Ensure required staff training, technical assistance, and professional development is delivered in alignment with federal, state, and local requirements.
• Conduct site visits and program reviews to assess compliance, performance, and operational effectiveness.
•  Lead the development of national and regional training conferences and performance improvement initiatives.

Core Competencies

• Executive Communication
• Organizational Leadership
• Professionalism & Integrity
• People & Performance Leadership

Requirements

Qualifications

Required

• 3-7 years of progressive leadership experience in workforce development, education, or public-sector programs across federal, state, or local environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple programs or sites with varied funding sources and performance requirements.
• Strong knowledge of workforce systems, including Job Corps, WIOA, state workforce initiatives, and local workforce board operations.
• Proven success improving participant outcomes, compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Experience managing multi-million-dollar budgets and complex stakeholder environments.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and government relations skills.

Preferred

• Prior experience as a Center Director, Regional Director, State Program Lead, or Corporate Workforce Executive.
• Experience leading turnaround efforts or scaling workforce programs.
• Established relationships with state workforce agencies, local workforce boards, and employer partners.
• Experience supporting competitive procurements at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Strong analytical and data-driven performance management skills.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Education, Workforce Development, Business, or a related field.
• Advanced degree preferred.

Work Environment & Travel

• Corporate-based role in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment.
• Frequent engagement with senior leadership and public-sector stakeholders.
• Travel required approximately 30-40%, including visits to workforce centers, state agencies, and local partners.