Division Head for Office of Workforce Development in Cambridge

About the Department

The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) creates and coordinates services that enhance the quality of life for Cambridge residents. Driven by the needs of residents, DHSP’s extensive services and programs touch almost every sector in the city: from newborns to senior citizens, from school-aged children to homeless families, from non-profit organizations to local employers.

About the Role

The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) seeks a Division Head with the vision and experience to lead the Office of Workforce Development (OWD) in providing high-quality career counseling and employment services to teen and adult residents of Cambridge. Reporting to the Assistant Director for Adult and Family Services, the Division Head for OWD is a senior leadership position within the Department with overall responsibility for a broad array of workforce development programs and partnerships. Working with partners within DHSP, the community and the regional workforce development system, the position is responsible for helping to plan, implement and oversee programs to meet the needs of Cambridge’s diverse residents.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Working with OWD Managers to provide strategic direction and fiscal, programmatic and managerial oversight to the Cambridge Employment Program, Cambridge Works, the Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program, Next Up and other OWD programs and services.
• Leading a team of fifteen full-time staff and additional seasonal employees, including four direct reports.
• Developing relationships with education, business and community leaders to build local support for OWD's programs and to expand employment and training opportunities for residents.
• Overseeing OWD’s professional development, quality improvement, and data collection efforts.
• Understanding regional labor market trends and skill requirements of local employers to inform program planning and business outreach strategies.
• Managing a multi-million dollar budget, including contract oversight.
• Maintaining and strengthening the City's linkages to state, regional and federal workforce development efforts.
• Working with staff, community agencies and business leaders to identify unmet needs and initiate collaborative planning processes as necessary to address service gaps.
• Providing strategic oversight and support to youth-serving staff to integrate youth development principles into employment-focused activities for teens.
• Providing strategic oversight and support to adult-serving program staff to ensure that OWD’s services connect residents to appropriate employment opportunities.
• Working with other departmental leaders and staff to create better pathways and transitions for participants from one departmental program to another.
• Serving as a liaison to the City's economic development arm and other City departments.
• Convening working groups as needed to guide workforce development policy and planning.
• Actively support the Department’s Race & Equity Initiative and support DHSP divisions and leadership to meet the Department’s equity goals.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in related field.
• Ten years of progressively responsible and successful management experience in human services, workforce development, education, or related field.
• Experience working with diverse populations.
• 5+ years of supervisory experience.
• Experience managing large budgets.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent planning and program management skills.
• Successful track record as a senior level manager and administrator in a community-based or public sector setting.
• Knowledge of local and regional labor market trends and workforce development best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams through change management and to work collaboratively.
• Strong ability to communicate orally and in writing with staff and residents from a wide variety of backgrounds.
• Proven ability to build partnerships and to engender the trust and confidence of staff, collaborators and colleagues.
• Commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in related field or a combination of education and experience accepted.
• Knowledge of Cambridge community.

Physical Demands

Must have sufficient mobility to travel between sites and to local meetings. Ability to access, input and retrieve information from a computer, answer telephones and maintain multiple files. May require minimal lifting of up to 10 pounds.

Work Environment

Standard office environment with fluorescent lighting, carpeted floors and air conditioning. This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City’s Telework Policy depending on operational needs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Summary of Benefits

• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Vacation and Sick leave eligible.
• Paid parental leave.
• Sick Incentive Pay Eligible.
• 3 Personal days.
• 14 Paid Holidays.
• Management Allowance, $2,700/year.
• City employee commuter benefits (T-Pass reimbursement Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership).