Director of Programs

The Opportunity:

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.

Organization Overview:

As part of Skilled USs 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 todays 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

Key Responsibilities:

Program Development & Implementation

• 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.

Participant Success & Career Readiness Coaching

• 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 to help participants explore goals strengthen intrinsic motivation and resolve ambivalence about personal or professional growth.

Community & Partner Engagement

• Build and sustain relationships with local employers community leaders training partners recovery providers and service agencies across Kanawha County and the southern coalfield region.
• Organize work-based learning opportunities and employer site visits including with Recovery-Ready Workplace employer partners to connect participants with real-world experiences.
• Promote Skilled USs and Skilled West Virginias mission through community outreach speaking engagements and collaborative efforts.

Data & Reporting

• Maintain accurate up-to-date participant records using enrollment and CRM systems like Salesforce or HubSpot.
• Collect and analyze participant progress data to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Prepare timely reports for leadership and funders including grant and SNAP E&T compliance reporting highlighting participant success stories and program outcomes.

• Bachelors degree in social work higher education or a related field or at least five years of relevant experience.

Work Experience

• 5 years working in adult education career services or workforce development.
• Demonstrated success advising adult learners managing career pathways or building employer relationships.
• Experience designing and implementing training programs particularly in small rural or Appalachian communities.
• Experience working with individuals in recovery reentry or other populations facing significant barriers is strongly preferred.

Skills & Knowledge

• Proficiency in Excel CRMs (Salesforce or similar) and data entry/reporting.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills including the ability to lead workshops.
• Deep understanding of case management social emotional learning techniques trauma-informed care and career counseling.
• Knowledge of funding sources and support systems such as SNAP E&T WIOA Workforce Pell and recovery/reentry programs.
• Familiarity with substance use disorder recovery principles and recovery-to-work models is a plus.
• Bilingual abilities are a plus.

Availability

• This in-person position requires regular in-person engagement in Kanawha County (Charleston area) with participants community partners and program stakeholders with travel to surrounding counties as needed.

Please read carefully.

Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA) is an equal opportunity employer. PLA does not discriminate in employment on account of race color religion national origin citizenship status ancestry age sex (including sexual harassment) sexual orientation marital status physical or mental disability military status or unfavorable discharge from military service.

By completing this application you understand that neither the completion of this application nor any other part of my consideration for employment establishes any obligation for PLA to hire me. If hired I understand that either PLA or I can terminate my employment at any time and for any reason with or without cause and without prior notice. I understand that no representative of PLA has the authority to make any assurance to the contrary.

You attest by applying to this position that you have given PLA true and complete information on this application. No requested information has been concealed. I authorize PLA to contact references provided for employment reference checks. If any information I have provided is untrue or if I have concealed material information I understand that this will constitute cause for the denial of employment or immediate dismissal.