Deputy Executive Director – Workforce Development

Summary

Description

We are seeking an exceptional workforce leader to help elevate and transform programs that serve the residents of El Paso and Teller Counties. As the Deputy Executive Director of the Pikes Peak Workforce Center, you will play a pivotal regional role—strengthening service delivery, expanding program reach, and ensuring our federally funded workforce programs meet the needs of job seekers and employers across both counties. This is an exciting opportunity to drive meaningful change, enhance operational excellence, and increase our impact throughout the greater Pikes Peak region.

Our ideal candidate brings deep expertise in WIOA and Wagner-Peyser, a passion for developing high-performing teams, and a commitment to strengthening community partnerships. You will help shape strategy, improve staff performance, and elevate service standards while collaborating with state agencies, local governments, educators, business leaders, and community partners across the region. If you are energized by the opportunity to lead regional workforce initiatives and make a lasting difference in the lives of citizens throughout El Paso and Teller Counties, we encourage you to apply and join us in advancing our mission. APPLY TODAY!

Hiring Range: $145,000.00 – $155,000.00 annually
This is an in-person position and is not eligible for remote work.
This position has an anticipated work schedule of Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm, some travel required.
Please be advised this position may close without advance notice, should we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications.

Provides senior-level leadership and operational oversight for the Pikes Peak Workforce Center (PPWFC), a workforce development consortium serving El Paso and Teller Counties. Under executive direction, oversees workforce development programs, services, and operations and ensures alignment with County priorities, governing board direction, applicable laws and regulations, grant requirements, and regional workforce needs.

Translates strategic priorities into operational plans and performance expectations; directs implementation through managers and staff; evaluates program and organizational performance; and addresses operational risks, performance issues, and opportunities for continuous improvement. Provides leadership for workforce system partnerships and represents PPWFC with governmental agencies, employers, educational institutions, community organizations, and other stakeholders.

Provides leadership and support for operations and initiatives as assigned. In the absence of the Executive Director, assists with continuity of departmental operations within delegated authority and established strategic direction. Employment is subject to the terms, conditions, and policies detailed in the Personnel Policies Manual (PPM). This position requires regular in-person presence as an essential job function. Position is subject to grant funding.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Provides senior-level leadership and operational oversight for PPWFC programs, services, and operations. Implements strategic priorities and governing board direction and ensures alignment with County goals, regulatory requirements, and regional workforce needs.
• Directs workforce development operations through managers and staff. Establishes expectations, delegates responsibilities, evaluates performance, develops and mentors staff, and holds staff accountable for effective program administration and service delivery. Participates in the hiring and disciplinary processes.
• Supports implementation of the strategic direction, policies, and priorities of applicable workforce development governing boards. Coordinates information, reports, recommendations, and other materials to support governance and decision-making.
• Oversees administration of programs funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Wagner-Peyser, and other federal, state, local, and grant-funded sources. Ensures programmatic compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, contracts, grant requirements, and performance standards.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates operational policies, procedures, systems, and service-delivery practices to improve organizational effectiveness, customer service, program outcomes, and coordination among workforce system partners.
• Coordinates implementation of regional workforce development and operational plans. Monitors performance and outcomes and directs corrective actions or improvements based on performance data, regulatory changes, labor market conditions, and community needs.
• Ensures timely and accurate programmatic reporting to applicable federal, state, County, and governing entities and compliance with established program and performance requirements.
• Oversees programmatic administration and monitoring of agreements, contracts, memoranda of understanding, infrastructure agreements, and other arrangements supporting workforce development programs and partnerships within delegated authority.
• Develops and maintains partnerships with businesses, educational institutions, economic development organizations, workforce partners, community organizations, governmental agencies, and other stakeholders to advance regional workforce priorities and address employer and talent development needs.
• Serves as a primary liaison with school districts and educational partners on youth workforce development initiatives, including career pathways, work-based learning, career exploration, and programs connecting students with education, training, and employment opportunities.
• Analyzes labor market information, workforce trends, employer needs, program performance, and emerging workforce issues and provides recommendations to support planning, program development, and service-delivery decisions.
• Ensures El Paso and Teller County workforce needs and consortium responsibilities are appropriately considered in PPWFC programs, services, partnerships, and planning.
• Oversees assigned organizational and personnel matters, including staffing needs, performance management, employee development, succession planning, and significant operational or personnel issues. Coordinates matters requiring higher-level review or approval with appropriate County leadership and departments.
• Coordinates with appropriate County departments on personnel, legal and regulatory compliance, technology, communications, risk management, and operational matters.
• Represents PPWFC at meetings, committees, community events, conferences, and partner forums. Communicates program performance, workforce trends, organizational initiatives, and service information to internal and external audiences.
• Coordinates with Economic Development on programs, initiatives, and related matters as appropriate. In the absence of executive leadership, may be asked to assist with continuity of departmental operations within delegated authority and established strategic direction. Performs other duties as required.

Supervision Exercised: This classification requires managing and monitoring work performance of a department including evaluating program/work objectives and effectiveness, establishing broad organizational goals, and realigning work and staffing assignments for the department.
 
 Supervision Received: Receives Minimal and Broad Direction: This classification typically performs job duties with broad parameters defined by general organizational requirements and accepted practices. End results determine the effectiveness of job performance.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of workforce development programs, operations, service-delivery models, and applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and requirements, including the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) or other federal programs that support workforce development.
• Thorough knowledge of public-sector and grant-funded program administration, including budgetary and fiscal requirements, contracts, compliance, performance measures, and reporting requirements. Thorough knowledge of organizational leadership and management principles, including operational planning, performance management, employee development, and continuous improvement.
• Thorough knowledge of labor market conditions, workforce trends, employer needs, and regional workforce development strategies.
• Skill in managing complex programs, operations, grants, contracts, and competing priorities.
• Skill in analyzing operational, financial, regulatory, and performance information and developing effective recommendations and solutions.
• Skill in building collaborative relationships with governmental agencies, businesses, educational institutions, workforce partners, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Skill in effective written and verbal communication, including preparing and delivering reports, recommendations, and presentations.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex laws, regulations, policies, grant requirements, and organizational procedures.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in addressing complex, sensitive, and confidential matters.
• Must have strong communication skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, County staff, and the public.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance. 

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, or related field.
  • Four years of related professional experience may substitute for the required degree.
• Seven years of progressively responsible experience in workforce development, public administration, program administration, organizational management, or a related field.
• Three years of supervisory, managerial, operational, or administrative leadership experience.
• Experience with fiscal and project management.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master's degree in business administration, public administration, or related field.
• Experience in economic development, workforce development, education, or employment services.

Licenses/Certificates

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Must pass conditional post offer background investigation, motor vehicle record check, and drug screen.

Work Conditions

Duties are primarily performed in an office environment; some travel is required.

The classification specification above is intended to describe the general nature of work, key responsibilities, and minimum qualifications. Minimum qualifications reflect the baseline experience required for the classification. Departments may establish additional or preferred qualifications to address operational needs, assignment complexity, and specialized functions, provided such qualifications are job-related, consistent with the intent of the classification, and as approved by the Human Resources department. Specific job assignments, duties, education, experience, licenses/certifications, and working conditions may vary based on the needs of the department or office and the requirements of the assigned position. Changes to this classification specification may only be made by the Human Resources Department.