Expansion Director

The Expansion Director is responsible for leading, coordinating, and supervising outreach, workforce development, and training activities across Wisconsin, including existing WRTP | BIG STEP locations and newly established offices supported through designated grant funding. This position collaborates with business, labor, education, government, building trade councils, and community partners to develop and implement programs that strengthen workforce recruitment, retention, training, advancement, and career pathways.

Reporting to the Chief Operations Officer, the Expansion Director provides overall operational leadership for grant-funded outreach services and workforce development programs, with responsibility for achieving contractual performance outcomes and quality service delivery. This position plays a critical role in expanding WRTP | BIG STEP's statewide presence by overseeing staff, instructors, program implementation, community engagement, and industry partnerships.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to implement innovative workforce strategies that support industry demand for a skilled, qualified, diverse, and sustainable workforce.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Provide effective leadership to outreach and programming teams by maintaining active involvement in programs and services and developing a comprehensive understanding of WRTP | BIG STEP's mission, programs, partnerships, and service delivery model.

Ensure all outreach and workforce development activities operate consistently, ethically, and in alignment with WRTP | BIG STEP's mission, values, policies, and contractual requirements.

Provide leadership in the development, implementation, and maintenance of policies, procedures, and operational standards for Outreach and Program Managers and Coordinators throughout the Northern region and statewide expansion locations.

Support and strengthen WRTP | BIG STEP's Registered Apprenticeship partnerships by collaborating with apprenticeship sponsors, employers, labor organizations, training centers, and workforce partners to increase apprenticeship enrollment, completion, and workforce diversity.

Develop, implement, and manage workforce programming statewide, including apprenticeship readiness training, curriculum delivery, industry-recognized certifications, assessments, and related workforce development initiatives.

Collaborate with Regional Directors and the Data Department to monitor program performance, outcomes, and reporting requirements to ensure contractual obligations and grant goals are achieved.

Analyze workforce and community needs to identify service gaps and expansion opportunities and develop strategies to increase outreach, recruitment, training, and service delivery throughout Wisconsin.

In partnership with sector staff, oversee the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of classes, training programs, orientations, recruitment activities, and community outreach events.

Coordinate appropriate staff participation in pre-bid meetings, pre-construction meetings, workforce planning sessions, and other public and private project-related activities.

Collaborate with employers, contractors, developers, owners, labor partners, and industry representatives to identify workforce needs and develop training and talent pipeline solutions.

Communicate and collaborate with partner agencies, recruiters, case managers, educational institutions, and community organizations to ensure effective participant recruitment and service coordination.

Recruit, train, supervise, coach, and evaluate outreach and program staff, including conducting performance evaluations, professional development planning, and ongoing performance management.

Publicly represent WRTP | BIG STEP with employers, educational institutions, government agencies, labor organizations, workforce partners, and community stakeholders while promoting the organization's mission, programs, and impact.

Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders to support program growth, community engagement, and strategic expansion initiatives.

Facilitate presentations, meetings, and speaking engagements on behalf of WRTP | BIG STEP.

Perform other duties as assigned.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an employee assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and qualifications required. WRTP | BIG STEP reserves the right to modify or revise this job description at any time.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree preferred. Relevant advanced education, certifications, or equivalent workforce development experience will be considered.
• Proven experience working with Registered Apprenticeship programs, apprenticeship sponsors, Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATCs), labor-management training partnerships, or workforce development systems that support apprenticeship pathways.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating complex workforce development, educational, training, or community service delivery systems.
• Proven ability to build and maintain industry, labor, employer, and community partnerships.
• Strong project management experience utilizing planning, leadership, organizational, and implementation skills.
• Experience leading and collaborating within diverse, multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience supervising staff and delivering services to diverse populations.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and the ability to work effectively with individuals from varying backgrounds and experiences.
• Proven ability to establish priorities, solve problems, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement and operational efficiency.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background check.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and performance expectations.
• Knowledge of Registered Apprenticeship systems, including apprenticeship standards, sponsor requirements, recruitment practices, retention strategies, apprenticeship readiness programs, and career pathway development.
• Working knowledge of federal and state apprenticeship regulations, including the role of apprenticeship sponsors, apprenticeship committees, labor organizations, employers, and workforce development partners.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to learn and utilize new software systems and databases.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, presentation, relationship-building, and team leadership skills.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict-resolution abilities.
• Demonstrated commitment to workforce development and the mission of WRTP | BIG STEP.
• Knowledge of workforce development systems and publicly funded workforce programs, including WIOA, FSET, DOL, DWD, and related initiatives, preferred.
• Understanding of barriers to employment and effective strategies for supporting participants in achieving career goals.
• Ability to establish rapport and work effectively with diverse, multicultural, and multiracial populations.
• Demonstrated initiative, resourcefulness, and ability to improve processes and operational effectiveness.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities are a plus.
• Personal Attributes
• Adhere to the WRTP | BIG STEP Code of Conduct.
• Follow all organizational policies, procedures, and funding source requirements.
• Conduct oneself in an ethical, professional, and respectful manner.
• Maintain positive working relationships with staff, participants, employers, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all aspects of service delivery and workplace interactions.
• Support and advance the mission, vision, and values of WRTP | BIG STEP.
• Work Relationship
• Reports directly to the Chief Operations Officer.
• Works closely with Regional Directors, Program Managers, industry partners, employers, unions, educational institutions, government agencies, contractors, vendors, and community organizations.
• Collaborates regularly with internal departments and external stakeholders throughout Wisconsin.
• Working Conditions
• Work is performed throughout the State of Wisconsin.
• Requires frequent day travel throughout assigned regions and statewide as needed.
• Must maintain reliable transportation and valid automobile insurance as required by state law.
• Overnight travel may be required and must be approved by the Chief Operations Officer.

This position operates in a hybrid work environment with a primary reporting location in the Neenah office and periodic reporting to Milwaukee, Madison, Racine, or other WRTP | BIG STEP locations as needed.

Regular interaction with diverse populations, including youth, justice-involved individuals, and individuals facing barriers to employment.

Minimum expectation of 40 hours per week.

Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed to support operations, community events, trainings, and partner meetings.

Ability to regularly sit, stand, walk, use standard office equipment, operate a computer, communicate by telephone, and travel throughout Wisconsin.

Ability to occasionally lift and carry materials weighing up to 30 pounds.

WRTP/BIG STEP is an equal opportunity/ADA employer. All federal, state, and local and other fair employment standards including EEO and ADA requirements in race, gender, gender identification, religion, national origin, disability, political affiliation, veteran status, veterans, or disabled veteran’s status as found in 41CFR 60-1.4, 60-250.4 and 60-741.4 are herein incorporated by reference.

Reasonable accommodations requested by qualified individuals with disabilities will be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. WRTP/BIG STEP encourages applications from all the above referenced protected and unprotected status groups. WRTP|BIG STEP performs pre-employment background checks subject to job requirements, notify HR (Human Resources) if special accommodations are needed.