Executive Director of Workforce Development & Innovation

Executive Director of Workforce Development & Innovation

Job Title
Executive Director of Workforce Development & Innovation

Agency
Texas A&M University – Kingsville

Department
Workforce Development

Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate

Job Location
Kingsville, Texas

Job Type
Staff

Job Description
About Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK), the oldest institution of higher learning in South Texas and a proud member of the Texas A&M University System, stands as the region’s premier university. TAMUK offers the widest range of academic programs and degrees in South Texas, provides exceptional learning and residential facilities, conducts impactful research, awards substantial scholarships, and has awarded more than 80,000 degrees in the institution’s 100-year history. The university is recognized for its unwavering commitment to student success, meaningful research, and deep community engagement. With a welcoming campus culture and strong regional partnerships, TAMUK offers faculty and staff a unique opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of students and the broader South Texas region.

Location: The University is located in historic Kingsville, a friendly, safe city of 25,000 that is the home of the legendary King Ranch. Corpus Christi and its beaches are just 40 miles to the northeast, and the border with Mexico is 120 miles to the south at Brownsville or 119 miles to the west at Laredo.

For more information, click here.

Position Overview

The Executive Director of Workforce Development & Innovation provides strategic leadership and day-to-day oversight of workforce initiatives at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, ensuring programs are aligned with regional labor market needs and institutional priorities. This role is responsible for supervising staff, guiding the development and implementation of workforce training programs, and establishing structured pathways that connect high school career exploration to industry-recognized credentials, workforce certifications, and applied degree programs. The Executive Director works collaboratively with school districts, early college high schools, academic colleges, faculty, and employers to align curriculum, expand credit for prior learning opportunities, and integrate noncredit training with academic offerings. Additionally, the position leads employer engagement efforts, supports competency-based curriculum design, manages multiple program initiatives through effective project management systems, and uses data and stakeholder feedback to drive continuous improvement. The Executive Director may represent the university in regional and statewide partnerships and will contribute to advancing innovative workforce strategies that enhance student success and regional economic development.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Management Responsibilities

Supervise professional staff supporting program outcomes, data reporting, evaluation, employer outreach, recruiting, and student support services.
Provide strategic leadership for the implementation and evaluation of new workforce training programs aligned with employer demand and university academic pathways.
Lead regional alignment of high school career pathways with workforce training and applied degree programs.

Communication and Partnership Engagement

Collaborate with school districts, early college high schools, and dual credit partners to coordinate development of articulated pathways from secondary education into industry-recognized credentials and university programs.
Partner with academic colleges and faculty to ensure alignment between noncredit training, micro credentials, and undergraduate academic programs.
Strengthen employer engagement through advisory committees, regional partnerships, and co-designed work-based learning models.
Represent TAMUK in regional, statewide, and national workforce and higher-education collaborations.

Special Projects and Reporting

Implement project management systems to track timelines, deliverables, budgets, and outcomes for multiple program initiatives.
Lead institutional efforts to implement and scale a comprehensive CPL framework, ensuring short-term training is articulable, portable, and degree applicable.
Support continuous improvement by using labor-market intelligence, student performance data, and employer feedback to refine programs.

Other Duties as Assigned

Perform additional duties aligned with advancing workforce innovation and institutional priorities.

Required Qualifications

Required Education

Bachelor’s degree in education, business, workforce development, or a related field

Required Experience

Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in workforce, public education, adult education, or related fields.

Preferred Qualifications

Doctoral degree preferred
10+ years of progressive leadership experience in K-12 and/or higher education

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Demonstrated experience in program development, including designing or scaling training programs aligned with labor-market demand.
Strong understanding of higher education structures, curriculum processes, and the integration of noncredit training with academic programs.
Experience implementing or supporting pathway frameworks or micro credential integration efforts
Proven ability to manage complex projects, multi-stakeholder initiatives, and cross-functional teams.
Exceptional communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
Proficiency with data systems, learning management systems, and project management tools.

Why Join the Javelina Nation?

Texas A&M University-Kingsville offers a supportive, mission-driven culture focused on excellence in teaching, research, and service. All employees enjoy:

A welcoming campus community
Opportunities for professional development
Competitive benefits through the Texas A&M University System
A rewarding experience of helping students achieve their academic and career goals

Shared Values: TAMUK employees uphold the Shared Values of Care, Integrity, Pride, Innovation, and Excellence, which form the foundation of the University’s culture and guide its strategic plan. More information on TAMUK’s Strategic Plan and Shared Values can be found here.

4DX: TAMUK employees actively engage in Franklin Covey’s 4 Disciplines of Execution (4DX) activities within their departments. TAMUK utilizes 4DX as the framework for pursuing strategic goals by creating a culture of high performance. This requires participation from all faculty and staff. More information on 4DX can be found here.

Caring Campus: TAMUK employees embody the Institute for Evidence Based Change’s Caring Campus mindset, maintaining a collegial and caring attitude towards students and each other to foster student engagement and a positive, collaborative work environment. More information on Caring Campus can be found here.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation: Commensurate with experience

Texas A&M University-Kingsville offers a career filled with purpose and opportunity in addition to competitive wages. In addition to base pay, TAMUK provides eligible employees a comprehensive Total Rewards package designed to support employees’ well-being, professional growth, and financial security.

BENEFITS (rules, policies, eligibility apply)

With our generous benefit package, robust professional development opportunities, strong retirement programs, and dedication to service excellence, TAMUK is a truly engaging and rewarding place to work.

Insurance:

Medical
- $0 – $30 per month for Employee Only coverage after university contribution ($920 value).
- Up to 83% of premium covered by the university:
  - Employee and Spouse
  - Employee and Children
  - Employee and Family coverage
Dental & Vision
Life Insurance, Accidental D&D, Long Term Disability, Flexible Spending Account and Day Care Spending Account

On-Campus Wellness Opportunities:

TAMUK’s Wellness Program is designed to enrich lives through health and wellness programming that is meaningful and impactful.

Work Life Solutions:

Counseling, Work Life Assistance, Financial Resources, and Legal Resources

Tuition Benefits:

Employee Tuition Assistance Program
Book scholarships
Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Retirement:

Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) or Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), dependent on position
Voluntary Tax Deferred Account/Deferred Compensation Plan

Employee Leave:

8+ hours of vacation per month
8 hours of sick leave per month
8 hours of paid Birthday leave
12-15 paid holidays per year

Additional Information

Physical Requirements

Ability to move up to 50 lbs. with assistance
Ability to travel independently to other and/or remote locations by driving and/or flying on commercial airlines

Other Requirements and Factors

This position is security sensitive
This position will require export-control authorization prior to starting employment.
This position requires compliance with state and federal laws/codes and Texas A&M University System/TAMU policies, regulations, rules and procedures
All tasks and job responsibilities must be performed safely without injury to self or others in compliance with System and University safety requirements
This position may require work beyond normal office hours and/or work on weekends
This position may direct and/or evaluate the work of others

A federal proclamation issued on September 19, 2025, imposes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025. Texas A&M University-Kingsville will not pay this fee. If immigration sponsorship may be required for employment, consult with private immigration counsel, at the individual’s expense, is recommended to determine whether the individual’s current immigration status would make a potential offer of employment from Texas A&M University-Kingsville subject to this fee.

In addition, on January 27, 2026, Texas Governor Abbott issued a moratorium on the filing of any new H-1B petitions unless approved by the Texas Workforce Commission. Accordingly, if sponsorship for employment visa status is required now or in the future, this moratorium may affect the university’s ability to employ the selected final candidate. TAMUK will adhere to applicable regulations regarding visa opportunities.

Application Instructions

During the application process applicants have one opportunity to enter the requested information, upload documents and submit the application. Applicants will not be able to make changes or add additional documents once the application materials have been submitted via “Submit” action.

Employment applications must include:

Completed online application
Cover Letter/Letter of Interest addressing qualifications
Curriculum Vitae or Resume
Contact information for 3 professional references

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.

To apply, visit https://tamus.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/TAMUK_External/job/Kingsville-TX/Executive-Director-of-Workforce-Development—Innovation_R-092451-1

Texas A&M University-Kingsville is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.

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