Director of Programs

As the Director of Programs in Kanawha County, West Virginia, you will lead the launch and implementation of career readiness and life skills programming through the Skilled West Virginia workforce ecosystem. Reporting to the EVP, Strategy & Growth, your role is vital in designing, managing, and delivering career training and wraparound support in a region that values relationships, trust, resilience, and second chances.

You will serve as the primary point of contact for participants, partners, and community stakeholders — coaching individuals to overcome barriers, facilitating career readiness workshops, and aligning local resources (training providers, recovery services, and employers) for program success. Your ability to mentor, lead initiatives, and foster strong community connections across Kanawha County and the surrounding southern coalfield counties will be critical to both short-term participant success and long-term workforce development in the region.

This role also includes temporary responsibilities in program design and implementation, ensuring a smooth program launch and participant progression. Once the program is established, your work will focus entirely on participant engagement, success coaching, recovery-informed support, and workforce placement.

As part of Skilled US’s commitment to empowering adults in marginalized and underserved communities, the Director of Programs plays a crucial role in supporting individuals through career transitions and growing our footprint in West Virginia. Skilled West Virginia is the West Virginia operating unit of Skilled US, whose mission is to provide the tools, training, and resources necessary for individuals to secure high-demand jobs and achieve economic stability.

Through comprehensive vocational programs, wraparound services, career counseling, networking, and mentorship - and, in West Virginia, integrated peer recovery support - we equip our participants with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in today's job market. The success of our program graduates underscores the transformative impact of Skilled US in breaking the cycle of poverty and fostering long-term economic growth

• Lead the design, facilitation, and launch of a local career readiness program tailored to the unique needs of Kanawha County and the surrounding southern West Virginia communities, including the recovery and dislocated-worker populations.
• Collaborate with the EVP, Strategy & Growth to set program goals, timelines, and success indicators.
• Coordinate with local organizations and training partners - including local community colleges and training programs, workforce-focused organizations, recovery service providers, and area employers - to ensure timely and smooth program delivery.
• Track implementation milestones and make adjustments to improve quality and impact.
• Hire, coach and manage a team in WV as funding becomes available.

• Serve as a trusted mentor and coach for participants, offering personalized guidance through enrollment, training, and job placement.
• Create and facilitate in-person or virtual career and life skills workshops focused on communication, financial literacy, time management, and workplace expectations.
• Identify barriers to success (e.g., transportation, housing, childcare, trauma, recovery maintenance, motivation) and help participants access needed supports, coordinating closely with embedded peer recovery support where applicable.
• Monitor enrollment, withdrawals, and attendance to ensure consistent engagement and program completion.
• Utilize motivational interviewing and trauma-informed techniques…