Director, Talent Strategy

Accountabilities:: As Director, Talent Strategy, you will provide strategic direction and operational leadership across major talent ecosystem initiatives, ensuring high-quality client outcomes, sustainable partnerships, and continued portfolio development. Your responsibilities will include: Lead the design, development, and delivery of adaptive talent ecosystem strategies, including assessment tools, planning frameworks, data dashboards, and implementation resources. Manage multiple high-profile client engagements, including statewide talent strategies and regional collaborations involving multiple jurisdictions. Oversee project scope, quality, timelines, budgets, team performance, and overall client outcomes. Advise governors' offices, state agencies, regional leaders, and employer-led organizations on governance structures, cross-agency collaboration, shared performance metrics, and funding alignment. Design and facilitate executive-level meetings, steering committees, and stakeholder workshops involving employers, education providers, workforce boards, and public agencies. Translate labor market, education, and workforce data into actionable recommendations, taking into account the impact of artificial intelligence and technological change on jobs and skills. Provide implementation guidance and technical assistance to state and regional teams, including groups of communities working toward shared objectives. Partner with senior leadership to define the Talent Strategy portfolio's strategic direction, service offerings, and annual priorities. Lead business development initiatives by identifying new opportunities, cultivating relationships with government leaders, employers, industry organizations, and philanthropic partners. Develop proposals, define project scopes, establish budgets, and transform individual engagements into long-term client partnerships. Supervise, mentor, and develop staff, growing to manage two to three direct reports within the first year. Lead multidisciplinary project teams involving internal employees, consultants, and external partners, ensuring effective collaboration and delivery. Strengthen organizational visibility and thought leadership through industry presentations, publications, and national partnerships. Collaborate across different consulting portfolios to develop initiatives that help more learners obtain valuable credentials and secure quality jobs offering family-sustaining wages. Perform additional responsibilities as needed to support organizational objectives. Requirements: The ideal candidate is an experienced strategic leader with extensive knowledge of workforce development, education systems, and economic development, combined with strong consulting, business development, and people management capabilities. The following qualifications and skills are expected: Content Expertise At least 12 years of professional experience developing and leading talent, workforce, or career pathway strategies. At least 3 years of experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives at the state, regional, or national level. Professional experience across at least two areas of the talent ecosystem, such as workforce development organizations, higher education institutions, employers, industry associations, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, or public agencies. Deep understanding of how education, workforce, and economic development systems operate, including governance, data, policy, funding, and implementation. Demonstrated experience designing and leading statewide or regional talent, workforce, or economic development strategies from initial planning through implementation. Understanding of how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are transforming jobs, skills requirements, and hiring practices, as well as how education and workforce systems can adapt. Strong ability to analyze labor market, education, and workforce outcome data to identify challenges, establish shared performance indicators, and measure progress. Experience with public data dashboards and cross-agency data initiatives is an advantage. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement equity-driven strategies that expand access to quality employment for young people and adults from underrepresented and low-income communities, including first-generation learners. Knowledge of workforce, education, and economic development policies and funding mechanisms at federal, state, and local levels. Proven ability to build sustainable partnerships among employers, education and training providers, intermediaries, and public agencies. Business and Strategy Development Demonstrated success originating and expanding relationships with clients and funders, including government leaders, employers, business organizations, and philanthropic institutions. Experience leading proposal development, project scoping, and budgeting for complex, multi-phase engagements. Ability to turn individual projects into long-term strategic partnerships. Experience developing innovative frameworks, assessment tools, and service offerings, refining them based on implementation feedback and client needs. Established professional networks within workforce development, higher education, economic development, and/or industry organizations at state and national levels. Project Management and Leadership Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects, budgets, and teams while meeting deadlines. Strong executive presence and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage credibly with senior government officials, agency leaders, business executives, and funders. Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to collaborative, multidisciplinary teams. Self-motivation and adaptability, with the ability to thrive in a largely virtual working environment. Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, including the ability to facilitate constructive discussions and joint problem-solving. Intellectual curiosity, eagerness to learn, and the ability to develop expertise in new areas. Willingness and ability to travel as required to support client engagements. Talent Management At least 5 years of direct people management experience, including setting priorities, providing regular feedback, and supporting employee development. Experience building and leading project teams composed of employees, consultants, and external partners. Demonstrated ability to delegate effectively while developing the skills, independence, and ownership of team members. Commitment to fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and high-accountability team culture in a largely virtual environment. Benefits: Annual compensation ranging from $125,000 to $185,000 USD, depending on experience and qualifications. Comprehensive health insurance coverage. Flexible Spending Account (FSA) benefits. Short-term and long-term disability coverage. Parental leave. Retirement savings plan. Generous paid vacation allowance. Paid holidays. Flexible, fully virtual working environment, allowing employees to work from locations across the United States. Opportunity to contribute to meaningful education and workforce initiatives with national impact. Collaborative environment with opportunities to influence strategic direction, develop partnerships, and lead high-impact projects.