Executive Director of Workforce Development

Executive Director of Workforce Development

Department: Education & Training

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Huntington YMCA

Reporting To: Wendy Zinn

Compensation: $137,000 - $147,000 / year

The Education and Training Branch plans and delivers adult education and workforce development programs in the YMCA of Greater Boston’s service area. This position is the key leadership position for the Branch. This position is a turnaround role for the programs it offers, it requires vision, energy, creativity, internal and external coalition building and an entrepreneurial attitude.

The Executive Director needs to be knowledgeable about program design in order to build programs that will be successful in reaching the outcomes required by funders and sought by students and employers. Expertise in using data to inform continuous quality improvement and experience in leading staff in embedding CQI into program design and practice. The candidate should understand public funders and public funding streams.

Candidates should have knowledge and experience with the YMCA and understand the value that the organization brings to the communities that it serves in order to leverage Branch and internal YMCA opportunities.

The scope of this adult education and workforce development program includes an annual operating budget of $2.7 million across three locations with a staff of 35-40 team members. The Executive Director will drive all program and financial development for the Branch and its stakeholders. This executive is responsible for all branch decision making and for administering the business operations of the Branch in accordance with the policies, by-laws and constitution of the YMCA of Greater Boston.

This position reports to the Chief Social Responsibility Officer.

• Develop and implement a long-term vision and strategic plan for Adult Education and Workforce Development.
• Align programs with regional labor market needs and emerging workforce trends.
• Develop career pathway initiatives that connect participants to credentials, employment, and economic mobility.
• Collaborate with employers, educational institutions, workforce boards, government agencies, and community organizations to expand opportunities and strengthen outcomes.
• Establish strategic goals, timelines, and performance measures to ensure program effectiveness and sustainability.
• Monitor policy, legislative, and funding developments affecting adult education and workforce programs.
• Serve as a key leader within the YMCA’s leadership structure, contributing to organizational strategy, operational planning, and enterprise-wide initiatives.
• Collaborate across departments to advance organizational goals, strengthen community impact, and support mission-driven outcomes.
• Lead organizational change initiatives related to workforce trends, funding opportunities, technology adoption, program innovation, and evolving community needs.

• Provide leadership and oversight for adult education, English language learning, digital literacy, workforce readiness, occupational skills training, credentialing, and career pathway programs.
• Ensure programs are innovative, participant-centered, outcomes-driven, and responsive to community needs.
• Establish standards for program design, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure curriculum and instructional practices are standards-based, culturally responsive, and aligned with adult learner needs.
• Oversee systems that measure program effectiveness and participant success.
• Identify and mitigate operational, financial, compliance, and reputational risks associated with program delivery and partnerships.
• Ensure compliance with YMCA policies and all federal, state, city, and grant requirements.

• Recruit, develop, coach, and retain a high-performing team of directors, managers, instructors, and staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Conduct performance evaluations and support professional development opportunities.
• Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and anti-bias…