Deputy Director : The Training Source

Creative Mindset Consulting has been retained by The Training Source to recruit for this position.

The Opportunity

The Deputy Director will bring exceptional nonprofit leadership and strategic abilities with a strong understanding of and respect for training and developing youth and adults, as well as the workforce development sectors, and a deep sense of compassion and commitment to helping people achieve positive economic mobility. This dynamic leader will demonstrate excellent emotional intelligence and senior-level experience enabling the Deputy Director to skillfully collaborate with the Executive Director to oversee day-to-day operations, manage staff, administer contracts, lead strategic program planning, and engage the Board of Directors.

Key responsibilities:

Vision, Strategy Development, and New Initiatives

• Collaborate and be a thought partner with the Executive Director to develop and implement strategies that advance The Training Sources vision and mission.
• Ensure that strategies are documented, clearly communicated within the organization, and effectively implemented by staff.
• Initiate new projects and programs that can catalyze change and build on core strengths while ensuring consistency with strategic direction.
• Strengthen and protect the organization’s reputation and brand through consistent messaging and strategic positioning.
• Enhance marketing, outreach and overall impact utilizing website, social media and digital tools, and data-driven metrics for analysis and decision-making.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Fundraising Consultant to understand, implement, and support fund development initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.

Workforce Development & Program Operations

• Oversee the management of existing workforce development programs and lead the development and implementation of new, innovative initiatives including training, job placement, and career support services.
• Develop and implement data tracking tools and reports to track participant engagement, progress and program outcomes.
• Sustain and expand the organization’s strong relationships with stakeholders such as community partners, government agencies, policy makers, and employers.
• Collaborate with and support the Executive Director in advancing organizational advocacy, communications, and campaign efforts that enhance visibility, influence, and engagement among key audiences on mission-critical issues.
• Speak effectively about the direct impact of all programs with donors and partnership organizations.

Leadership & Management

• Oversee The Training Source training and education programs, including hiring high-performing staff and providing supervision, support and coaching aligned with programmatic priorities.
• Provide leadership for the entire direct service team, including staff, trainers and volunteers.
• Lead by example in modeling the vision and core values of The Training Source while guiding staff in advancing the organization’s strategic direction and plan.
• Always model effective leadership characteristics and represent the organization at community events and meetings with partners and other stakeholders.
• Maintain open communication with staff, Executive Director, board members, consultants and stakeholders.
• Develop and implement a diverse and inclusive staffing structure, in conjunction with standard operating procedures.
• Ensure personnel guidelines and framework aligns with the organization’s core values and that support efficient programs and service.
• Facilitate the achievement of strategic goals and promote effective overall management.
• Ensure compliance with The Training Source’s Performance Management System by objectively planning and setting SMART Goals and evaluating employee performance.
• Foster staff retention, development, and growth by creating opportunities for continuous learning and advancement.

Impact and Effectiveness

• Establish guidelines and protocol for effective and regular data tracking, monitoring and reporting.
• Train and manage staff to ensure they are proficient in using systems such as Salesforce to enhance The Training Source’s impact and effectiveness. This includes hiring high-performing staff with the knowledge and expertise to plan and execute key elements of the work.
• Develop, implement, and sustain a clear theory of change, that is well understood internally and externally and that evolves as necessary.
• Ensure effective monitoring, evaluation, and assessment structures are built into program efficiencies in alignment with grant compliance and regulation requirements.

Finance and Administration

• Understand, manage and ensure compliance with personnel and fiscal policies and procedures while overseeing staff onboarding and adherence to organizational expectations.
• Develop realistic annual financial goals and plans, making decisions consistent with Board-approved objectives.
• Comply with financial guidelines and controls to monitor spending and hiring practices, ensuring the organization stays within its approved budget.
• Maintain and enforce, and when necessary, develop or recommend, organizational policies and procedures to ensure consistent and sustainable operations.

Qualifications & Requirements:

The Deputy Director will be highly energetic and passionate, with a track record of achievement in previous leadership roles in nonprofit, government or philanthropic organizations, a commitment to youth and adult workforce development, established regional networks and relationships within the youth and adult development sector, and demonstrated business acumen. They will demonstrate strong leadership, management, and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively within a team. The Deputy Director will be skilled at working in close partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to develop and set the strategic direction of a credible charitable organization. While respecting the historic grant portfolio, this seasoned, confident leader will effectively bring new approaches forward that will enable The Training Source to achieve continued impact with its fundraising efforts.

The Deputy Director will have demonstrated experience in nonprofit management, program development, or workforce development, applying strong academic and programmatic expertise to the role. A postgraduate degree is preferred, along with a recognized professional certification (e.g. Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) or Project Management Professional (PMP) or ongoing professional development in a related field such as human services, social work, public administration, or business.

The Deputy Director will have a true passion for the mission of The Training Source and an optimistic commitment to championing people development on a regional scale. In addition, ideal candidates will have the following professional competencies and personal characteristics:

Competencies:

An individual should demonstrate the following competencies to perform the essential functions of this position.

• Adaptability – Effectively deals with changing environments (business challenges, technologies, etc.) and continuously seeks opportunities for different and innovative approaches to addressing organizational challenges and opportunities. Adapts interpersonal style to effectively interact with a variety of people.
• Accountability – Assumes ownership/responsibility for achieving results and resulting outcomes. Creates an environment in which others can take full ownership of their work. Recognizes the need for business-related changes and takes accountability for initiating appropriate responses. Is proactive in furthering organizational goals.
• Communications – Articulates The Training Source’s vision and mission effectively. Establishes and promotes a climate of openness and diversity of expression. Embraces and effectively communicates the connection between individual employee goals and objectives to The Training Source’s vision and mission. Encourages team members to express and share ideas and information that will contribute to The Training Source’s success. Demonstrates responsiveness in addressing all forms of communications.
• Customer Focus – Demonstrates a key understanding of the customer value proposition and needs of customer segments. Champions systems and processes that make it easy for customers to do business with The Training Source. Strives to remove barriers to providing good customer service. Motivates and recognizes staff for excellence in customer focus.
• Dependability – Is punctual and adheres to the organization’s attendance expectations. Faithfully reports to work on time and conforms to scheduled work hours. Follows proper call-in procedures and informs others of ongoing/outstanding work responsibilities in order to prevent/limit disruptions to business operations.
• Budget Management – Prepares forecasts, develops budgets and measures actual performance. Controls costs and manages financial resources within allocated budget.
• People Management – Assigns, develops and motivates employees to complete assignments in an effective manner. Appropriately delegates responsibility and authority, improves staff/management relations, provides timely and constructive performance feedback, and encourages staff development. Sees that extraordinary achievement is properly rewarded.
• Results Orientation – Systematically evaluates business opportunities and targets those opportunities with the greatest potential for producing positive results. Establishes stretch goals that are designed to achieve positive results and prevents irrelevant issues or distractions from interfering with timely completion of important tasks.
• Strategic Direction – Establishes and commits to a long-range course of action to accomplish a long-range goal or vision after analyzing information and assumptions. Develops decision criteria considering relevant factors (e.g., cost, benefits, risks, timing, buy-in, and organizational goals and values) and the decision’s impact on employees, the organization, and customers. Considers the opportunities and risks associated with various options and recommends the course of action with the highest probability of success.