Generation West Virginia is looking for a Program Director for our NewForce software development training program. The NewForce Program Director will be responsible for the overall strategic direction and growth of the program, as well as overseeing all of the systems and processes to run a successful online training program.
About NewForce
NewForce is a fully remote, six-month, tuition-free software development training program developed by Generation WV. We believe that young people in West Virginia deserve access to high-paying, high-growth jobs, so we developed a training program to skill up West Virginians and connect them to careers in tech. We train students from all backgrounds– construction workers, teachers, veterans, and stay-at-home moms, just to name a few.
We provide a need-based living stipend to make sure NewForce is accessible to people who need it most. We do intensive, one-on-one career prep that extends well past graduation – we keep working with students on the job search, preparing them for interviews and connecting them with open roles.
NewForce’s first five years have been a resounding success. Our grads make an average salary of $48,000 right out of the program, regardless of their background. Most importantly, these jobs have allowed our grads and their families to stay and thrive right here in West Virginia.
The Challenge!
We’ve grown a lot since our first cohort. We’ve reached a point where we’re moving out of the start-up phase and into the sustainability phase. We need a leader who can build the systems and processes to make NewForce sustainable in the long haul, while still thinking strategically about NewForce’s growth trajectory. In this role, you’ll probably explore some of the following questions:
- What does sustainable growth look like for NewForce?
- How do we support as many West Virginia job-seekers as possible while still making sure that we aren’t outpacing market demand?
- How do we systemize and delegate some of the day-to-day processes at NewForce (grant reporting, admissions, stipend processing, etc).
- Who should do what, when?
You’ll be managing a small but mighty team of three instructors and a career services manager. What does professional growth look like in these roles? How can you support and develop a high-performing team?
About You
You’re an experienced manager who can transition between a macro view of strategy and a micro view of nitty-gritty program operations within the same day. You have experience managing people with more experience than you, or people with different areas of expertise. If you don’t know something, you know how to ask questions until you do. You’re comfortable hyping up students to an employer and tracking grant metrics in a spreadsheet. You have an eye for systems, and ask questions like “How can we be doing this more efficiently? Should we be doing this specific thing at all?” But you understand that, in a small program, sometimes you have to pitch in and do the grunt work yourself. If you don’t have any tech or tech-adjacent experience, you’re down to learn. You care a whole lot about West Virginians and you’re committed to giving them the tools they need to be successful.
Job Duties
- Staff Management
- Program Sustainability
- Course Curriculum – engage with employers and partners on relevancy, changes needed
- Employer Relations/ Job Placement
- Alumni Support and implementation of pilot mentorship program
- Grant Management and Administrative Tasks
Job Requirements
Non-negotiables:
- Some experience in the tech industry. You don’t need to know how to code, but some exposure would help!
- Experience taking a program or project from the rapid-growth phase to the sustainability phase
- Experience managing a team of specialists
- Experience working with a diverse set of partners (employers, educational institutions, state and federal agencies, etc)
Negotiables / Nice to haves:
- Experience managing federal grants
- Experience with nonprofit program management
- Experience in workforce development, public speaking or leadership role
About Generation West Virginia
We are working toward a vision of West Virginia where challenges are seen as opportunities, young people are drivers in our state’s future, and the Mountain State is a destination for young talent to live, work, and thrive.
West Virginia is one of the few states in the nation with a declining population. In confronting this reality, one thing is very clear: the state’s future depends on its ability to become an ideal destination for young talent. Generation West Virginia’s mission to young West Virginians with key skills and career opportunities, ensuring their ability to thrive in the Mountain State.
We achieve this by:
- Supporting West Virginia’s workforce needs by connecting young people to jobs and opportunities in the Mountain State
- Providing accessible programs and educational tools that empower and inspire young leaders
- Identifying and communicating the priorities, motivations, and needs of the next generation of West Virginians
- Developing and sustaining an activated, diverse network of young people
Salary, Benefits and Where You’ll Work
The starting salary for this role is $60,000 – $65,000. Due to the ways in which salary negotiations can perpetuate existing structural inequalities, GWV as a practice does not negotiate starting salary once an offer is made. GWV provides a great benefits package including, but not limited to, dental, vision, 401k, and health insurance, paid parental leave (including adoption), and flexible paid time off. At this time GWV supports 100% of the employee’s medical premium.
As a statewide organization, we have staff located all across the state, and our day-to-day operations run remotely. This position must be done remotely, somewhere in West Virginia. Travel for this position will be required, and mileage reimbursement is available.
Apply
Applications for this position will be reviewed immediately and the position will remain posted until filled. Apply at the button below where you will be prompted to submit:
- Contact information
- Resume
- Cover letter
