Proudly standing as the nation’s oldest HBCU, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania has been a stalwart and highly respected institution of higher education since our founding in 1837.For over 185 years our alumni have emerged as leaders and left their mark on the social, economic, and political history of Philadelphia, the surrounding region, the nation, and the world. Building on this legacy, the vision for Cheyney University is to become the premier model for academic excellence, character development, and social responsibility. 

Here at Cheyney, we value scholarship, diversity, integrity, respect, and service. We are committed to maintaining a vibrant educational community that is dedicated to promoting scholarship and lifelong learning for its students, offering wide student access to resources to ensure an opportunity for all to acquire an education, encouraging freedom of thought and freedom from discrimination by ensuring a respectful environment, and provide outreach and service to external and constituent communities, demonstrating their understanding of the importance and value of service. 

We’re looking for exceptional individuals who share our values, embrace our mission, recognize our potential, and covet the opportunity to continue to move our historic University forward. CU proudly offers a positive and purposeful work environment; comprehensive employee benefits including health, vision, and dental insurance along with many wellness programs; generous retirement plans; a commitment to work-life balance including generous paid vacation, paid sick time, military leave and paid time off for most major holidays; and a University mission to support employee personal and professional growth including a tuition waiver for self and family members, training and development, and advancement opportunities. 

Cheyney University is seeking a Senior Director for Strategic Partnerships, Career, and Workforce Development. This position is a pivotal leadership role responsible for overseeing and enhancing two critical departments: Career Development and Workforce Development. This position is designed for a strategic leader who is adept at navigating the evolving landscape of workforce demands, particularly in the context of regional labor market needs, technology (including GenAI technologies), and emerging industries. The ideal applicant would have experience in operating at the intersection of Higher Education, Workforce Development, and Labor Market Information. 

This individual will function as the primary liaison between the University and strategic partners, including corporations, research institutions, and non-profit organizations. The Senior Director will be responsible for fostering collaboration across internal units, ensuring the creation of innovative career pathways that align with industry needs while promoting equitable access and opportunities for all students at Cheyney University and its regional learners. This role will play a vital part in supporting the University's mission and strategic objectives, driving compliance, and enhancing the institution's reputation as a leader in higher education.

The Senior Director for Strategic Partnerships, Career, and Workforce Development will work collaboratively with university stakeholders to ensure that all Cheyney students receive high-touch career services aimed at maximizing their employability and that the university's non-degree credential (NDC) offerings become a viable revenue source for the university. This role is integral to advancing Cheyney's mission and positioning it as a Regional Steward. 

Leadership and Strategic Development

• Ensure that all initiatives, programs, and partnerships are designed with a strong emphasis on equity, diversity, and inclusion. Integrate data to accomplish this function (regional demographic/education attainment, student information system, and labor market).
• Collaborate with University stakeholders to continuously innovate and develop industry-based hubs that align with Cheyney University’s current and future industry priority sectors (currently: healthcare, bioscience, agribusiness, education, clean energy, technology, and social justice)
• Develop and implement strategic plans for Career Development and Workforce Development that align with the university’s goals and the needs of the 21st-century workforce, with a focus on workforce automation and leveraging Gen AI opportunities.
• Collaborate with university stakeholders to continually refine and enhance industry-based hubs, fostering partnerships that drive student success and workforce readiness.
• Proactively troubleshoot and address challenges faced by the University or its partners, ensuring effective communication and resolution.

Career Development Oversight

• Scale high-touch career services to ensure all Cheyney students have access to comprehensive career development resources that enhance their soft skills and employability.
• Design and oversee innovative programs that foster professional identity development and experiential learning opportunities for students.

• Initiate and manage academic cooperative agreements that provide students with access to experiential learning opportunities, while enabling faculty collaboration with partners on research and program development
• Specific to micro-credentials and badges for current students, (1) assist in operationalizing the "Cheyney Made" initiative by creating a micro-credentialing system that serves as a co-curricular activity, enhancing student employability, (2) support a “Digital Literacy” badge that covers both tech literacy and Gen AI, and (3) soft skill development.

Workforce Development Management

• Lead the development and monetization of non-degree credential offerings, creating sustainable revenue streams while effectively meeting the needs of regional learners.
• Work with CFO/COO for financial targets for each program
• Develop and operationalize a micro-credentialing system that aligns with current workforce trends and enhances the professional skillsets of participants.

Partnership Management and Collaboration

• Function as the primary liaison between Cheyney University and key external partners, including companies, research institutions, and non-profit organizations, to build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships.
• Plan, execute, and oversee activities related to new strategic partnerships to include facilitating onboarding and orientation for new partners.
• Initiate and manage cooperative agreements that facilitate experiential learning and research collaborations between faculty and industry partners.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting

• Create and maintain a dashboard summarizing the status and performance of career and workforce development initiatives, including their impact on curriculum and student outcomes. 
• Develop and maintain a strategic partner dashboard that summarizes the status and performance of collaborative agreements and their impact on the curriculum and student development.
• Conduct regular assessments and evaluations of programs and partnerships, using data-driven insights to inform continuous improvement efforts.

Operational Oversight

• Ensure compliance with university policies and regulatory requirements while managing departmental budgets and resources effectively.
• Address and resolve any issues or challenges that arise within the departments or with external partners.
• Conduct ongoing research on workforce trends, particularly focusing on the implications of Generative AI in various industries. Utilize data to inform decision-making and strategy development.
• Create a detailed annual plan with quarterly check-in points

Additional duties & Responsibilities

• Manage sensitive issues and information with confidentiality and discretion.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Strategic Enrollment & Institutional Effectiveness Officer.

Requirements

1. 1. A master’s degree, five years of experience in career services, recruitment, or placement, and at least three years of supervisory experience are required. 
   2. Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office
   3. Expertise in best practices in workforce and career development, particularly in relation to Federal and State employment related policies such as for job training, emerging industries, and workforce automation. 
   4. Knowledge of higher education and the workforce development landscape. 
   5. Preferred Qualifications: 7 - 10 years of experience in a similar position in Higher Education 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Adept in technology and ability to quickly familiarize with the Cheyney University's administrative software systems, including email, word processing, and spreadsheet software. 
Awareness of technology in the landscape of career and workforce development will be preferred 
Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to present findings and recommendations effectively in various formats.
Proven ability to make and implement recommendations for operational and organizational improvement.
Capacity to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including public-private partners.

About Cheyney University

We’re looking for exceptional individuals who share our values, embrace our mission, recognize our potential, and covet the opportunity to continue to move our historic University forward. Please note: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to your phone calls about vacancies or about the status of recruitment and your application. However, relevant applicants will be contacted for interviews.

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