Vocational Education Manager | Shape the Future Workforce

🎯 Role Definition

As our Vocational Education Manager, you will be the strategic leader responsible for the overall administration, supervision, and quality of our vocational and career training programs. You will serve as the primary liaison between our institution, industry partners, and the community, ensuring our programs are relevant, innovative, and produce highly skilled, job-ready graduates. This position requires a blend of educational leadership, business acumen, and a passion for workforce development. You will drive program excellence, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and empower both students and instructors to achieve their full potential.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Lead Vocational Instructor / Department Chair
Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program Coordinator
Academic Advisor or Student Success Coordinator
Assistant Principal with a focus on CTE

Advancement To:

Director of Education / Chief Academic Officer
Dean of Career & Technical Education
Regional Director of Workforce Development
Vice President of Academic Affairs

Lateral Moves:

Corporate Training and Development Manager
Curriculum and Instruction Director
Education Policy Advisor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Direct and oversee the complete lifecycle of vocational education programs, from strategic planning and development to implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
Lead the design, review, and enhancement of all vocational curricula, ensuring alignment with industry standards, accreditation requirements, and labor market demands.
Recruit, manage, mentor, and evaluate a team of faculty, instructors, and support staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performance academic environment.
Establish, cultivate, and maintain robust strategic partnerships with local businesses, industry associations, and community organizations to support work-based learning and graduate employment.
Ensure all vocational programs maintain full compliance with federal, state, local, and institutional regulations, as well as accrediting body standards.
Develop and manage program budgets, oversee resource allocation, and identify and pursue grant funding opportunities to support program growth and innovation.
Analyze labor market data, industry trends, and employment forecasts to inform program development and ensure long-term relevance and sustainability.
Lead strategic initiatives for student recruitment, enrollment, retention, and completion, implementing data-driven strategies to improve student outcomes.
Spearhead program evaluation and assessment processes, utilizing key performance indicators (KPIs) and student success data to measure effectiveness and drive improvements.
Organize, lead, and facilitate program advisory committee meetings with industry experts to gather feedback and ensure curriculum remains current and cutting-edge.
Supervise the procurement, inventory, and maintenance of all instructional technology, equipment, and lab facilities, ensuring a safe and effective learning environment.
Champion the development of clear academic and career pathways for students, including articulation agreements with secondary and post-secondary institutions.
Design and implement comprehensive professional development and training programs for faculty and staff to promote excellence in teaching and learning.
Oversee the administration of all work-based learning programs, including internships, apprenticeships, co-ops, and clinical placements, ensuring quality experiences for students.
Serve as the primary point of contact for resolving complex issues involving students, faculty, or external partners, ensuring timely and professional resolution.

Secondary Functions

Proactively stay abreast of emerging technologies, pedagogical innovations, and best practices within vocational education and workforce development.
Lead and support grant writing, reporting, and fundraising initiatives to secure external funding for new equipment, program expansion, and student scholarships.
Collaborate closely with student services departments (e.g., advising, career services, financial aid) to provide holistic support to vocational students.
Represent the institution at local, state, and national conferences and community events to promote vocational programs and build our professional network.
Contribute to the institution's overall strategic planning process and the development of academic policies and procedures.
Partner with the marketing and admissions departments to create compelling, accurate, and effective recruitment materials and outreach campaigns.
Actively participate in cross-functional institutional committees focused on student success, diversity, equity, inclusion, and institutional effectiveness.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Curriculum Development & Instructional Design: Proven ability to design and assess effective, standards-aligned vocational curricula.
Budget Management & Financial Acumen: Experience developing and managing complex departmental budgets, grants, and financial resources.
Program Evaluation & Data Analysis: Proficiency in using data from SIS/LMS and other sources to assess program effectiveness and student outcomes.
Accreditation & Compliance Management: Deep knowledge of accreditation processes (e.g., ACCET, WASC) and state/federal education regulations.
Grant Writing & Fund Development: Demonstrated ability to identify funding opportunities and write successful grant proposals.
Labor Market Analysis: Skill in interpreting labor market information (LMI) to guide strategic program decisions.
Educational Technology: Proficiency with Student Information Systems (SIS), Learning Management Systems (LMS), and other instructional technologies.

Soft Skills

Leadership & Staff Development: Inspiring leader with the ability to mentor, motivate, and develop a diverse team of educators.
Strategic Planning & Vision: Forward-thinking professional capable of translating a strategic vision into actionable, measurable plans.
Stakeholder Management & Networking: Exceptional ability to build and maintain strong, mutually beneficial relationships with internal and external partners.
Communication & Public Speaking: Articulate and persuasive communicator, comfortable presenting to diverse audiences from students to executives.
Problem-Solving & Conflict Resolution: Adept at navigating complex challenges and facilitating effective and equitable solutions.
Adaptability & Change Management: Resilient and flexible leader who can guide teams through organizational and programmatic change.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution.

Preferred Education:

Master’s Degree in a relevant field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Education Administration or Leadership
Career and Technical Education
Workforce Development
Public or Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5-7 years of progressive experience in an educational or workforce development setting, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or administrative capacity.

Preferred:

Direct leadership experience within a post-secondary vocational school, community college, or career and technical education (CTE) high school setting.
A proven track record of successfully launching new academic programs and building robust industry partnerships from the ground up.
Demonstrated success in securing and managing federal, state, or private grant funding.