The Northwest Arkansas Council seeks an Executive Director to serve as the founding leader of Northwest Arkansas Regional Workforce Intermediary (NARWI). This individual will be charged with facilitating and leveraging collaboration among employers, education and training providers (K-12, postsecondary, and adult), and other community partners to support an education-to-workforce system that drives economic prosperity for businesses and residents.
Open Position: Executive Director, Northwest Arkansas Regional Workforce Intermediary (NARWI)
Northwest Arkansas Council announced that it will be incubating a new regional intermediary workforce organization to coordinate talent development efforts and partnerships with area employers, education and training providers, and nonprofits and community-based organizations. This new Northwest Arkansas Regional Workforce Intermediary (NARWI) will serve as the hub for high-quality and data-informed pathways from education to employment, with a focus on sustainable-wage occupations and inclusive regional prosperity.
A search for an Executive Director who will serve as the founding leader of the new regional workforce intermediary organization is currently underway. This is an exciting and pivotal moment for the region as this founding leader will work in close collaboration with employers, education and training providers, and other community partners to strengthen the education-to-workforce system.
They’re looking for a leader with an entrepreneurial mindset who has at least 10 years of experience in workforce development and a track record of building and facilitating partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders. The Executive Director will be responsible for launching and operationalizing the organization, convening and coordinating regional partners, developing and implementing a shared vision for regional success, and ensuring long-term impact and sustainability for the organization.
Successful candidates will possess the following qualifications:
- 10+ years progressive experience in workforce and/or development programs, education, or related fields
- Track record of leading a diverse set of stakeholders around a shared vision and building enduring partnerships
- Demonstrated success in developing and managing complex education and/or workforce projects or programs
- Experience managing multi-stakeholder initiatives and relationships, particularly in education to workforce system or program contexts
- Familiarity with education and workforce systems, funding sources (e.g., WIOA), and economic development tools
The salary range for this position is $200K – $225K annually
