Assistant Executive Director- Postsecondary and Talent Management - Federal Programs

Assistant Executive Director, Postsecondary & Talent Alignment – Federal Programs

This position serves as a strategic leader in federal postsecondary policy alignment for Career and Technical Education and supports the State's workforce vision by strengthening connections among Mississippi's community colleges, workforce priorities, industry needs, Adult Education, secondary CTE partners, external agencies, and federal program expectations.

The Assistant Executive Director serves as the agency's lead resource on federal postsecondary policy changes impacting Career and Technical Education, including Workforce Pell eligibility, outcomes-based accountability, curriculum alignment, Eligible Training Provider List alignment, and related federal compliance requirements. This position also provides support and coordination to Mississippi's community colleges in areas where Career and Technical Education intersects with Adult Education, Title IV eligible programs, Workforce Pell, the Eligible Training Provider List, and federal accountability requirements.

This position interprets and communicates applicable federal legislation, regulations, and guidance, and supports colleges with implementation as it relates to federal grants and programs administered through the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, including relevant requirements under the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Labor. The Assistant Executive Director also provides statewide leadership, coordination, and support for professional development, technical assistance, curriculum-related initiatives, programs of study, and instructional delivery models serving Career and Technical Education faculty, staff, and administrators.

This role supports the State's workforce vision by strengthening alignment among education, adult education, workforce development, and industry partners to prepare students for high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand occupations; support sustainable talent pipelines; and contribute to improved employment, earnings, and labor force participation outcomes.

Essential functions include supervising Curriculum staff, providing leadership and technical assistance to community colleges, serving as a key resource for federal postsecondary policy changes, collaborating with workforce development areas and industry representatives, supporting the alignment of postsecondary programs with high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand occupations, and maintaining a broad understanding of current and emerging issues in higher education, Career and Technical Education, Adult Education, workforce development, federal accountability, program design, talent alignment, assessment, and professional development.