Executive Director, Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board

Please Note: This recruitment will remain open until filled with a first review of applicants the week of June 1 2026. The hiring authority reserves the right and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision at any time. We encourage all to apply as early as possible.The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates qualifications within the starting salary range of $150000 - $170000 annually. Our physical office is located in Olympia WA. This is a hybrid position with the ability to telework. However you will need to attend in-person meetings or community events as required by the position.

Terms of Appointment: Per RCW the Executive Director shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the governor in consultation with the council.

Why work for the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board

The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board serves as the central coordinating body for Washingtons workforce development system. Established by the Legislature in 1991 the Board brings together nine Governor-appointed leaders from business labor and government to help ensure the states education and training programs are aligned accountable and responsive to Washingtons economy.

Through our strategic plan Talent and Prosperity for All and rigorous performance reporting that goes beyond federal requirements the Board provides independent evaluation policy leadership and oversight to strengthen the states workforce system and ensure a strong return on investment for taxpayers.

As the states hub for workforce strategyadvocating for effective programs advising policymakers and regulating key training providersthe Board plays a vital role in helping Washington residents access opportunity and helping employers find the talent they need.

The job opportunity

As the Executive Director youll represent the Governor and the state on workforce issues that affect Washingtons businesses workers and this role you help bring together leaders from business labor and government to build a shared understanding of workforce needs and identify evidence-based solutions that improve employment earnings and economic resilience for people across Washington.

As Executive Director you lead both the agency and the Board working closely with the Boards business and labor co-chairs to fulfill statutory responsibilities and guide the Boards policy and strategic work. You prepare members to engage in meaningful discussions support informed decision-making and help ensure the states workforce system is aligned accountable and focused on results. Working with a senior leadership team you oversee strategy compliance fiscal stewardship and organizational culture while advancing the Boards role as the states independent performance accountability body for workforce development.

Success in this role requires vision collaboration and the ability to bring diverse partners together to solve complex challenges. You will convene partners across education government labor and industry to identify barriers use data and research to guide solutions and build consensus around policies and practices that strengthen Washingtons workforce system and expand opportunity for communities statewide.

In this role youll serve as a statutory member of numerous boards commissions committees and work groups. Youll report on activities and results related to the Boards functions at each Board meeting. Public forums are held periodically in different regions of the state to share information about the Board the agency and the system and to gather feedback and input into improvement strategies. Agency and system reports are also shared with relevant legislative committees annually.

What youll work on

• Board preparation facilitation and support including policy development and advocacy oversight of research evaluation and reporting.
• Provide executive leadership and direction to agency staff including hiring coaching performance management and organizational development to ensure alignment with strategic priorities.
• Direct and oversee day-to-day operations of the agency ensuring effective coordination of staff programs and resources to meet statutory responsibilities and Board priorities.
• Full ownership of the agencys budget including drafting managing and administering the department budget; monitoring expenditures and revenues; ensuring fiscal accountability and compliance with state requirements; and aligning financial resources with strategic goals.
• Administration oversight and promotion of distributed funds and regulatory responsibilities.
• Consensus-building for targeted systemic performance improvement strategies including resource development from external sources (federal philanthropic state local).
• Building relationships with current Board members and partners. Developing new partnerships and encouraging engagement.
• Marketing and communication of the effectiveness advancements needs and issues of the states workforce development system both within the state and nationally.
• Oversight of Private Career School Licensing Veterans Programs Career Bridge and other consumer information and consumer protection responsibilities.
• Inform Governors policy and budget staff on issues and highlights of the agency; seeks input into new initiatives or activities.

What we need you to bring

Required Qualifications:

• Proven ability to lead and/or motivate large sometimes diverse groups to action.
• Experience in economic workforce community or educational development having made demonstrated impact on workforce outcomes.
• Excellent understanding of the breadth and complexities of the broad comprehensive state workforce development system and the constituencies it serves.
• Solid understanding of the federal and state statutory and regulatory environment that establishes the parameters for service delivery.
• Ability to analyze complex data and communicate insights clearly to a range of audiences.
• Strong facilitation and negotiation skills especially working with diverse groups.
• Proven experience with development of legislative and administrative policies.
• Experience with budget and administration using federal state and private funding sources.
• Proven track record of working with business and/or labor to develop policies or programs.
• Proven experience driving organizational and operational improvements through effective project management data analysis and continuous improvement practices with a solid grounding in diversity equity and inclusion principles. The ability to learn and grow.
• The ability to meet the needs of others.

Desired Qualifications:

• Leadership role in public or not-for-profit sector responsible for influencing service or policy reform.
• Experience working together with business and labor and/or within a joint employer-employee management structure to effect policies or programs improving results for businesses and workers.
• Experience with community engagement initiatives.
• Worked with or for legislators or other policy-makers on policy reform initiatives.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. Dont let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have transferable experience please tell us about it or contact us with questions about the required qualifications and how your experience relates to them.

What we offer:

We foster a culture of integrity innovation inclusion and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well-being we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees.

Please visit our Recruitment Page for a full list of benefits available to employees. Heres a quick glance at some of the unique benefits that we offer:

• An environment of diversity equity inclusion and belonging
• Medical Dental Vision and Life Insurance
• 12 paid holidays 14 paid vacation days (minimum) and 12 days of sick leave per year
• State retirement programs

Application Process: Once youve decided to apply for a state government job youll complete an online application to showcase your qualifications. Keep in mind that once you submit the application a real person is going to read it. We do not use AI or other technology that screens your application and rejects it. So please be sure to provide clear and detailed information about your work history so your qualifications can be accurately assessed. We will contact the top candidates directly to schedule interviews. If you need reasonable accommodation in applying please call 7-1-1 or 1-.

When completing your application we encourage you to attach all of the following:

• Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position
• Resume: that details your applicable experience and education.
• References: at least three professional references and their contact information.

Questions:

Our Staff ASL interpreter is available to all hearing impaired applicants. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process please email us at .

The Office of the Governor is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural racial ethnic sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women racial and ethnic minorities persons with disabilities persons over 40 years of age and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply.