Director, Workforce Development

At UK King's Daughters, we’re not just a healthcare facility — we’re a family of dedicated professionals who share a passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients. We’re more than just a place to work; we’re a place to grow, thrive, and contribute to our community.

Job Description:

Job Summary

The Director of Workforce Development provides strategic leadership for the health system's workforce pipeline, education partnerships, career pathway initiatives, and community workforce development strategies. This position is responsible for developing and executing long term workforce initiatives that ensure a sustainable talent pipeline aligned with the organization's strategic workforce needs.

The Director serves as the executive liaison with educational institutions, workforce agencies, government organizations, healthcare associations, and community partners to expand healthcare career opportunities while strengthening recruitment, retention, and workforce readiness. This position oversees the Workforce Institute and is responsible for developing innovative workforce strategies, securing external funding opportunities, measuring program effectiveness, and ensuring alignment with organizational strategic priorities.

The Director collaborates extensively with executive leadership, Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, Operations, Finance, Marketing, and clinical leadership to develop workforce solutions that address current and future labor market challenges.

Essential Functions

• Develops and executes the organization's comprehensive workforce development strategy aligned with the health system's strategic plan.
• Provides leadership and operational oversight of the Workforce Institute, including strategic planning, budgeting, staffing, program development, and performance outcomes.
• Establishes and maintains executive level partnerships with universities, colleges, technical schools, K12 school systems, workforce investment boards, government agencies, community organizations, economic development organizations, and professional associations.
• Leads the development of workforce pipeline initiatives including internships, apprenticeships, high school career pathways, scholarship programs, residency programs, and healthcare career exploration initiatives.
• Partners with executive leadership, Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, Nursing, Allied Health, and operational leaders to forecast workforce needs and develop sustainable talent pipelines.
• Develops innovative recruitment pipeline strategies to address critical workforce shortages across clinical, professional, technical, and support service positions.
• Oversees workforce marketing and employer branding initiatives targeted toward students, educators, and emerging healthcare professionals.
• Directs the development, implementation, and evaluation of workforce development programs designed to improve recruitment, retention, diversity, and workforce readiness.
• Identifies, pursues, and manages federal, state, local, and private grant opportunities supporting workforce development initiatives.
• Oversees grant administration including program implementation, compliance, reporting requirements, and financial accountability.
• Develops and monitors workforce development budgets and ensures effective stewardship of organizational and grant funded resources.
• Serves as the organization's representative on regional workforce councils, educational advisory boards, healthcare consortiums, and community workforce initiatives.
• Utilizes workforce analytics and labor market data to identify workforce trends, forecast future staffing needs, and recommend strategic workforce solutions.
• Establishes key performance indicators and evaluates workforce program effectiveness through measurable outcomes and return on investment.
• Provides regular executive reports to senior leadership regarding workforce development initiatives, program outcomes, grant performance, workforce trends, and strategic recommendations.
• Collaborates with Marketing and Communications to promote workforce initiatives and strengthen the organization's employer brand throughout the region.
• Leads continuous improvement efforts by evaluating workforce programs, identifying best practices, and implementing innovative workforce solutions.
• Supervises workforce development staff and provides coaching, mentoring, and professional development.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education Requirement

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Education, Organizational Leadership, Public Administration, or a related field.

Preferred:

Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), Healthcare Administration (MHA), Human Resources, Education, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, or related field.

Experience Requirement

Minimum of three (3) years progressively responsible experience in leadership roles, workforce development, talent acquisition, healthcare administration, education partnerships, economic development, Human Resources, or related field.

Minimum of three (3) years leadership or management experience.

Healthcare experience strongly preferred.

Experience developing strategic partnerships with educational institutions, government agencies, and community organizations preferred.

Experience leading grant funded initiatives and workforce development programs preferred.

Experience developing budgets, strategic plans, and organizational performance metrics preferred.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Certifications & Licensures

Preferred:

• SHRM SCP
• SPHR
• Certified Workforce Development Professional (CWDP)
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Executive Presence
• Relationship Management
• Financial Stewardship
• Change Leadership
• Talent Development
• Community Engagement
• Innovation
• Business Acumen
• Data Driven Decision Making
• Collaboration
• Influence Without Authority

Decision Making

Exercises independent judgment in developing organizational workforce strategy, establishing partnerships, allocating resources, prioritizing initiatives, and recommending workforce investments that support long term organizational objectives.

Financial Responsibility

Responsible for developing and managing departmental operating budgets, grant funding, workforce development investments, and program financial performance.

Supervisory Responsibility

Provides direct supervision for workforce development personnel and indirect leadership for cross functional workforce initiatives. Responsible for hiring, coaching, performance management, succession planning, and employee development.

Physical Demands

This position requires intermittent sitting at a computer workstation for extended periods; repetitive hand movements such as typing; intermittent standing and walking; occasional lifting, pushing, or pulling up to 25 pounds; and occasional lifting up to 50 pounds.

Frequent travel throughout the health system service area and occasional regional or national travel for workforce development conferences, educational partnerships, grant activities, and community engagement is required.

Working Conditions

The working conditions remain substantially similar to the current profile, with the following recommended modification:

Job Related Travel: Regular (25 percent to 50 percent of time)

This reflects the Director's responsibility for maintaining regional partnerships, school visits, government meetings, conferences, legislative activities, grant administration, and community engagement.

Department:

Administrative Office

Shift:

Days (United States of America)

Time Type:

Full time

Address:

2000 Ashland Drive

City, State:

Ashland, Kentucky