Executive Director at Northwest Arkansas Council

The Northwest Arkansas Council is a nonprofit dedicated to advancing economic opportunity, workforce development, infrastructure, healthcare and quality of life in the region. With support from the Walton Family Foundation, the NWA Council is incubating a new regional intermediary workforce organization with the mission of aligning education-to-workforce systems with the region's economic growth and talent development needs.

About the Organization

For over 30 years, the Northwest Arkansas (NWA) Council has helped shape the development of the NWA region to improve livability and economic prosperity. Established by Sam Walton, Don Tyson, J.B. Hunt, and other business leaders, we are a private, nonprofit organization working to advance job opportunities, talent recruitment, physical infrastructure, health care, and quality of life. Most of the Council's more than 100 members are companies, including Walmart, Tyson Foods, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.,

Simmons Foods and George's, Inc.

Northwest Arkansas is experiencing dynamic growth in both its population and regional economy, spurred by the development and expansion of regional businesses and industries. While the region's growth creates new opportunities, it also brings challenges, one of which is a talent gap. Employers in NWA report difficulties in finding qualified workers to fill new job openings. At the same time, many NWA residents do not possess the necessary skills or credentials needed for entry to or advancement in existing careers.

This talent gap can hinder economic growth for employers and communities in the region.

Beginning in December 2024, an advisory committee of NWA regional leaders and partners met to consider the needs of Northwest Arkansas' education to workforce system and identify strategies to expand access to high quality learner pathways. In May 2025, the committee submitted its final recommendation: the establishment of a formal regional intermediary organization for NWA charged with facilitating collaboration among employers, education and training providers (K-12, postsecondary, and adult), and other community partners to support an education to workforce system that drives economic prosperity for businesses and residents.

With support from the Walton Family Foundation, the NWA Council is moving forward with the advisory committee's recommendation and incubating a new regional intermediary workforce organization to coordinate talent development efforts and partnerships with area employers, education and training providers, and nonprofits and community-based organizations. This new Northwest Arkansas Regional Workforce Intermediary (NARWI) will serve as the hub for high-quality and data-informed pathways from education to employment, with a focus on sustainable-wage occupations and inclusive regional prosperity.

About the Role

The NWA Council seeks an Executive Director to serve as the founding leader of NARWI. This individual will be responsible for launching and operationalizing the organization, convening and coordinating regional partners, developing and implementing a shared vision for regional success, and ensuring long-term impact and sustainability. The ED will initially be housed at the NWA Council during the organization's incubation phase.

You will report to the President & CEO of the NWA Council, with a dotted line to the COO, during NARWI's incubation phase. You will also frequently collaborate with NWA Council staff. The Executive Director's primary responsibilities fall into 5 major categories:

• Develop and implement strategic vision and operational plans for the regional intermediary, building NARWI from the ground up
• Lead cross-sector stakeholder engagement to build consensus around shared goals
• Represent the organization externally with employers, education leaders, and policymakers
• Advocate for policies that enhance pathway access, funding, and sustainability

• Build organizational infrastructure including governance, policies, and operational systems
• Recruit and manage board or advisory members, and key staff positions
• Oversee program development, implementation, and quality assurance
• Ensure compliance with legal, financial, and regulatory requirements

• Cultivate strategic relationships with regional leaders and organizations including employers, K-12 school districts, postsecondary institutions, and community partners
• Facilitate partnership agreements and coordinate collaborative initiatives
• Serve as primary liaison between education providers and regional employers
• Convene regular stakeholder meetings and collaborative planning sessions
• Diversify revenue by building philanthropic partnerships and securing appropriate government grants

• Secure funding from philanthropic, government, and private sector sources
• Develop and implement diversified revenue model for long-term…