Associate Director, Health Care Pathways Programs

Posted by Natalie Pitman on September 28, 2026

The Associate Director of Health Care Pathways Programs at UNITE-LA leads workforce initiatives that connect young adults to high-demand health care careers and work-based learning opportunities. The role oversees the design, implementation and continuous improvement of programs that create accessible pathways into health care careers for the region’s rising workforce. The Associate Director cultivates strategic partnerships with education, workforce, community and employer partners to develop equitable, scalable talent pipelines that address health care workforce needs and expand economic mobility for young adults facing barriers to employment.

As a leader of the Health Care Pathways team, they model UNITE-LA’s values, foster collaboration and accountability and support staff growth and success. The ideal candidate brings health care and workforce development expertise, strong partnership-building skills and a commitment to expanding opportunities for historically underrepresented communities.

For more than 25 years, UNITE-LA has established itself as a trusted education and business intermediary, dedicated to improving the economic mobility and well-being of the region’s diverse rising workforce. Leveraging strategic cross-sector partnerships at local, statewide, and national levels, we advance policies, practices and systems that strengthen anti-racism and equitable education and workforce outcomes from cradle through career.

Lead the design, implementation and continuous improvement of health care workforce initiatives that respond to industry talent needs and create pathways to high-demand health care careers, including UNITE-LA’s My Pathway to Health, Health Sector Collaborative and health care fairs and symposiums.

Utilize labor market data, employer insights and workforce trends to identify emerging occupations and inform program strategy, continuous growth and impact.

Oversee program operations, including program staff, performance management, evaluation, budgeting, reporting and data-driven decision-making to achieve organizational goals.

Advance sustainable health care talent pipeline programming by cultivating strategic funding and employer partnerships, supporting resource development efforts and expanding access to health care careers for historically underserved communities.

Ensure programs are designed using asset-based, trauma-informed and youth-centered approaches that address the unique needs of opportunity youth.

Work collaboratively with partners to provide participants with coaching, career navigation, supportive services and persistence strategies.

Promote equitable access to education, training, credentials and employment opportunities within health care career pathways.

Incorporate participant voice and feedback into program design, implementation and evaluation efforts.

Advance strategies that improve participant enrollment, persistence, completion, credential attainment, employment and long-term career success.

Collaborate with organizational leadership and health care employers to identify workforce needs, align priorities and develop responsive career pathway solutions.

Implement expanded work-based learning opportunities, including internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, clinical experiences and employment placements.

Support the convening of employer and industry partners to ensure workforce programs align with evolving talent needs.

Support employer engagement strategies that…