Director of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

The Director of WIOA Title I Programs leads and oversees all aspects of Title I operations across the Northeast Iowa Workforce Development Board (NEIWDB) region, ensuring alignment with workforce and education priorities. This role supervises and coaches workforce consultants, manages program compliance and fiscal oversight, and drives strategic planning, policy implementation, and quality improvement initiatives. Serving as the primary liaison to the NEIWDB and a representative at state, regional, and national levels, the Director builds partnerships with agencies, educators, employers, and community organizations to strengthen outcomes for adults, dislocated workers, and youth. Through leadership, collaboration, and advocacy, the Director ensures high-quality service delivery, operational excellence, and measurable workforce impact.

The tasks listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional tasks related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

Act as the lead liaison between Title I programs and the Northeast Iowa Workforce Development Board (NEIWDB), facilitating communication and strategic alignment across workforce and education sectors.

Serve as the primary representative for Title I initiatives at state and regional core partner meetings, ensuring that the needs and perspectives of Title I programs and participants are effectively communicated.

Supervise, manage, and coach a diverse team of workforce consultants across the NEIWDB region. Provide clear direction, assign responsibilities, monitor performance, and ensure accountability for service delivery and outcomes.

Manage a minimal caseload of participants to ensure full understanding of adult, dislocated worker, and youth programming.

Lead the development and implementation of strategic plans, policies, and workforce initiatives. Set priorities, delegate tasks, and ensure team alignment with the goals of the WIOA Title I program.

Oversee and manage the daily operations of WIOA Title I programs across the region. Monitor service delivery, resolve operational issues, and ensure full compliance with federal and state laws, policies, and performance standards.

Establish and sustain partnerships with government agencies, educational institutions, community organizations, and employers. Provide direction to staff in leveraging these partnerships to improve service offerings and job seeker outcomes.

Lead the fiscal oversight of WIOA Title I programs, including budget development, grant management, resource allocation, and financial reporting. Guide staff in appropriate fiscal practices and ensure program sustainability.

Develop and enforce performance metrics and data collection systems to evaluate program impact. Train staff on data integrity, analyze trends, and implement improvements based on performance outcomes.

Directly oversee all compliance functions to ensure full adherence to federal, state, and local regulations governing WIOA programming.

Lead regular audits and reviews of program documentation, participant records, and performance metrics to verify and maintain compliance standards.

Identify non-compliance issues and direct the development and execution of corrective action plans to address deficiencies swiftly and effectively.

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Human Services, Education, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.

Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership and supervisory experience in workforce development, human services, or related fields, with demonstrated expertise in program management, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement.

Knowledge of federal and state workforce development policies, regulations, and funding mechanisms, particularly the WIOA, Title I program.

Must possess valid driver’s license.

Provide leadership and guidance to staff members responsible for delivering WIOA, Title I services.

Foster a culture of continuous learning, professional development, and accountability to maximize team performance and achieve organizational goals.

Serve as consortium’s (NICC and NIACC) spokesperson and advocate for workforce development issues and initiatives at the state and national levels. Engage with policymakers, elected officials, and community leaders to promote awareness, garner support, and influence policy decisions related to workforce development and employment.

Lead the design and delivery of training programs and technical assistance for staff, partners, and stakeholders to ensure consistent understanding and application of WIOA regulations, policies, and best practices.

Serve as the primary authority and resource for interpreting, clarifying, and implementing WIOA guidelines and requirements.

Oversee the facilitation of workshops and informational sessions to build organizational knowledge and strengthen compliance culture.

Direct and coordinate collaboration with program managers and stakeholders to develop, implement, and monitor quality improvement initiatives.

Oversee the evaluation of improvement efforts, ensuring strategies are adjusted as necessary to meet performance benchmarks and organizational goals.
Champion and lead the cultivation of a culture of continuous improvement and innovation across all WIOA programs and initiatives.

Direct staff engagement in core partner meetings, ensuring full participation in collaborative planning and program alignment. Hold team members accountable for contributing to regional action plans and coordinated service delivery.

Collaborate with core partners to develop action plans that address the needs of the region and leverage resources and expertise from the group.