Vice President for Workforce and External Affairs

Columbia State Community College seeks a Vice President for Workforce and External Affairs that is innovative, collaborative, and committed to positively changing lives through teaching, learning, and service in an environment committed to student success. The Vice President is a member of the President’s Cabinet and is responsible for providing dynamic and strategic leadership for:

• Executive administration through collaborative and innovative leadership for strategic advancement of the southern campuses, regional services, secondary programming, and adult services
• Collaboration with the President for advancing college programs and economic development initiatives through active involvement in community boards and events, university and college partnerships; secondary school programs and outreach; and corporate, business, and industry needs.
• the development of a highly functioning non-credit workforce and continuing education office that supports the training and professional and personal development of the industries and citizens of our region.
• Collaboration with the academic area for workforce credit offering and strengthening of apprenticeships, internships, and co-op programs.
• College’s external relations strategy throughout the nine-county service area that builds partnerships for strategic workforce alignment and identification of initiatives (credit & non-credit, for partnerships, programs and economic development opportunities).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Provides leadership and supervision of the office of Workforce and External Affairs that support the College’s mission and strategic plan, the president’s priorities and vision, best practices, policy development, accreditation compliance, outcomes assessment, and strategic enrollment management
2. Develops and executes a comprehensive plan that builds relationships with industries and businesses throughout our service area for alignment of their workforce needs with college opportunities and services.  Become the college’s expert on the industries and economic development organization within our service area.
3. Provides leadership and oversight for partnerships with K-12 organizations in the nine-county service area including but not limited to dual enrollment, dual credit, and middle college.
4. Provides leadership and coordination with TCATs for shared programs, facilities or coordinated efforts.
5. Collaborates with the academic area for a wholistic approach from Columbia State in workforce programs for student careers, successes, and opportunities.  Develop a coordinated system with academics for monitoring and identifying student workforce placements.
6. Supervises and mentors a team of professionals in extended campuses and workforce development.
7. Builds and maintains relationships with government agencies, community leaders, business partners, and industry associations.
8. Through coordination with the  President, represents the organization at public events, conferences, and meetings.
9. Partner with senior leadership and the President’s Cabinet to align external affairs and workforce strategies with organizational goals.
10. Provides thoughtful leadership on issues related to workforce trends, economic development, and public policy.
11. Manages departmental budgets, ensuring effective allocation of resources.
12. Represents the College in the community to assess the needs for business, economic, workforce development, and continuing education opportunities for credit and non-credit offerings.
13. Provides oversight to the design and implementation of programs to address workforce needs.
14. Coordinates in collaboration with academic affairs an institutional framework and program for internships, apprenticeships, and prior learning assessments.
15. Serves as the Workforce Development liaison and representative for local, state, and federal initiatives as well as the TBR and THEC.
16. Provides oversight over external facility usage requests for the Columbia and Southern campuses, including partnering institutions and training organizations.
17. Provides oversight for partnerships with other higher education entities already or seeking to utilize Columbia and/or Southern Columbia State campus space including owned and rented campuses.

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Collaborates with educational institutions, training organizations, and workforce agencies to align programs with regional industry demands.
2. Analyzes labor market trends to ensure the organization is proactive in addressing future workforce challenges.
3. Advises the President, Cabinet, and College Leadership Council regarding workforce trends, service area workforce changes, and college workforce successes, opportunities, and challenges.
4. Manages departmental budgets, ensuring effective allocation of resources and monitor revenue flow.
5. Assists in efforts to secure funding or partnerships from government grants, philanthropic organizations, and corporate sponsors.
6. Represents Columbia State at workforce meetings of the College System of Tennessee and other state agencies.
7. Serves on standing and ad hoc committees as assigned.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

1. Earned Doctorate degree in higher education, business, organizational management, or related field with five to seven years of progressive education, workforce and partnership development experience.

• • Consideration may be given to Master’s degree in higher education, business, organizational management or related field with ten to twelve years of progressive education, workforce and program development experience.

1. Demonstrated knowledge and ability to develop and execute multi-year strategic plans.
2. Demonstrated skills in planning, process development, and timely implementation.
3. Demonstrated strengths in innovative thinking, managing and adapting to change, making difficult decisions, resolving conflicts, and documenting employee, department and division accountability.
4. Documented success in setting and meeting goals
5. Demonstrated experience with institutional budget management, strategic planning/assessment and Federal compliance.
6. Demonstrated ability to lead in an environment of organizational change that services today and builds for the future.
7. Demonstrated commitment to the role and mission of a community college.
8. Successful experience as a supervisor/manager and a collaborator.
9. A proven record of building collaboration across offices, disciplines, programs, and divisions within a professional setting.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE PREFERRED:

1. Experience in higher education program development.
2. Experience in data analysis and strategic planning for workforce needs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND WORK CHARACTERISTICS:

1. Strong understanding of workforce development practices and labor market dynamics.
2. Exceptional relationship-building and negotiation skills.
3. Ability to develop strategic plans, implement budgets, and assess effectiveness.
4. Strategic thinker with experience in policy advocacy and community engagement.
5. Proven ability to lead teams and manage complex projects.
6. Excellent written, oral, interpersonal, intercultural communication and presentation skills
7. Proficiency with standard office technologies, including Microsoft 365, MS Word, Excel, electronic calendar, information sourcing, etc.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. Visual and hand usage of computer terminal and/or PC
2. Requires travel to Tennessee Board of Regents central offices, all campus locations and various teaching sites, and other areas for meetings and other job-related activities.
3. Normal sitting and movement in an office environment

TITLES SUPERVISED:  

1. Dean of Regional Services and Southern Campuses
2. Director of Workforce and Continuing Education
3. Coordinator College / High School Programs

This position is based at the Columbia, TN Campus.

About Columbia State Community College:

As Tennessee’s first community college (established in 1966), Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five of our campuses.  Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents.  Columbia State is known for excellence both inside and outside the classroom.

Columbia State offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to the following:

• Vacation and Sick Leave
• 14 paid holidays
• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• Retirement plans
• Optional 401K and 403B Deferred Compensation Plans
• Educational benefits for the employee and their spouse and dependents

Columbia State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age (as applicable), status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other category protected by Federal or State laws and regulations and by Tennessee Board of Regents policies with respect to employment, programs, and activities.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies:

Executive Director of Human Resources
humanresources@columbiastate.edu
1665 Hampshire Pike, Columbia, TN 38401
931-540-2501