Dean of Workforce and Innovation

The Dean of Workforce and Innovation at Gillette Community College District (GCCD) serves as a visionary leader responsible for advancing workforce development and community education initiatives aligned with regional and statewide economic needs. This role is pivotal in fostering innovative, responsive programming that supports industry, community partners, and lifelong learners. The Dean will lead efforts to build strong collaborations with local employers, economic development entities, K–12 partners, and higher education institutions to ensure GCCD is a driving force in talent development and community enrichment.

This position reports to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and works closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure strategic, high-impact implementation of GCCD’s community education and workforce priorities.

Essential Functions(Employees of the District must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodations, the essential functions of the position as detailed in this section.)

• Provide strategic leadership for all workforce development and innovation initiatives, ensuring alignment with labor market trends and employer needs.
• Direct the planning, implementation, and assessment of non-credit and credit-bearing workforce programs in high-demand career sectors.
• Cultivate partnerships with business, industry, K–12, government agencies, and community organizations to identify and address workforce needs.
• Oversee the development and delivery of community education programs that serve diverse learners and support lifelong learning in Campbell County and the surrounding region.
• Lead a team of program directors and staff in the areas of workforce training, continuing education, and innovation initiatives.
• Evaluate and pursue external funding opportunities, including grants and contracts, to support and expand workforce programs.
• Ensure the development and tracking of key performance indicators related to workforce and community education outcomes.
• Collaborate with academic leadership to create pathways between non-credit training and academic programs (credit for prior learning, articulation agreements, etc.).
• Promote innovative instructional delivery models, including work-based learning, apprenticeships, micro-credentials, and hybrid/online learning strategies.
• Support the use of technology and data to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.

Minimum Qualifications(Employees of the District are required to possess a minimum proficiency level of English, both written and spoken, that will enable them to communicate safely, effectively, and efficiently with students, co-workers, and the public.)

• Master’s degree in Workforce Development, Education, Business, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in workforce development, continuing education, higher education, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing workforce training programs or community-based education initiatives.
• Strong record of collaborative leadership with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of labor market trends, economic development strategies, and workforce credentialing models.
• Experience managing budgets, grants, or contract-funded programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate or terminal degree in a related field.
• Experience working in a community college or regional higher education setting.
• Familiarity with industry certification and apprenticeship programs.
• Successful grant writing and administration experience.
• Experience in program evaluation, data analysis, and continuous improvement processes.

Competencies for Successful Performance

• Strategic thinking and innovation
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to build partnerships and collaborate across sectors
• Change management and organizational leadership
• Entrepreneurial mindset and solution orientation
• Cultural competence and commitment to equity

Supervisory and Management Responsibility

• Oversees the Directors of Area 59 and Workforce and Community Development

Physical Demands(The physical demands…