Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Vocational Director

🎯 Role Definition

Are you a passionate and strategic leader dedicated to unlocking human potential? We are searching for a dynamic Vocational Director to spearhead our comprehensive vocational and employment programs. In this pivotal role, you will be the driving force behind designing, implementing, and evaluating innovative strategies that empower individuals facing barriers to employment. You will lead a dedicated team, cultivate robust employer partnerships, and ensure our services not only meet but exceed industry standards and compliance requirements. This is an opportunity to make a tangible impact, shaping futures and strengthening our community through the power of meaningful work.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Vocational Program Manager or Coordinator
Senior Career Counselor or Rehabilitation Specialist
Workforce Development Supervisor

Advancement To:

Chief Program Officer (CPO)
Executive Director
Regional Director of Services

Lateral Moves:

Director of Workforce Development
Director of Community Engagement

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, implement, and oversee all aspects of vocational training, career counseling, job placement, and retention services to ensure program goals and client outcomes are consistently met.
Provide dynamic leadership, supervision, and mentorship to a diverse team of vocational counselors, job coaches, and program staff, including hiring, training, performance evaluation, and professional development.
Direct the strategic planning and continuous improvement of vocational programming, utilizing data-driven insights and labor market trends to ensure curriculum relevance and effectiveness.
Establish and cultivate strong, lasting relationships with local employers, industry partners, and community organizations to create a robust pipeline of internship, training, and employment opportunities.
Manage the departmental budget, including forecasting expenses, monitoring spending, and ensuring fiscal responsibility while maximizing resource allocation for program impact.
Ensure strict adherence to all regulatory, licensing, and accreditation standards, such as CARF, and maintain meticulous documentation for audits and reporting.
Lead the development and writing of grant proposals, and manage reporting requirements for federal, state, and private funding sources to secure and sustain program funding.
Design and implement comprehensive client assessment protocols to identify individual strengths, needs, and barriers to employment, ensuring personalized career pathway planning.
Oversee the case management process for all vocational program participants, ensuring holistic support and effective coordination of services across departments.
Analyze program performance data and key performance indicators (KPIs) to generate detailed reports for the executive team, board of directors, and external stakeholders.
Champion innovative service delivery models, including the integration of new technologies and evidence-based practices in vocational rehabilitation and workforce development.
Act as the primary liaison and subject matter expert on vocational services for both internal departments and external community-wide initiatives and committees.
Develop and manage systems for tracking client progress, job placements, and long-term employment retention to demonstrate program efficacy.
Facilitate workshops and training sessions for clients on essential workplace readiness skills, such as resume writing, interviewing, financial literacy, and professional etiquette.
Mediate and resolve complex client and employer-related issues with professionalism and empathy, ensuring positive relationships are maintained.
Conduct regular site visits to client workplaces and community partner locations to provide support for job coaches and ensure quality service delivery.
Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to promote vocational programs, celebrate client success stories, and enhance the organization's public profile.
Stay abreast of current legislation, policies, and best practices in workforce development, disability services, and vocational rehabilitation to inform strategic direction.
Lead inter-departmental collaboration efforts to ensure vocational services are seamlessly integrated with other client support systems, such as clinical, housing, and educational services.
Represent the organization at conferences, networking events, and public speaking engagements to advocate for program participants and build strategic alliances.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc reporting and data analysis for grant applications, stakeholder meetings, and internal quality assurance reviews.
Contribute to the organization's overall strategic plan, long-term vision, and policy development.
Collaborate with clinical and residential departments to ensure a holistic and integrated approach to client support and success.
Participate actively in senior leadership meetings, strategic planning sessions, and cross-functional organizational initiatives.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Program Development & Management: Proven ability to design, launch, and manage complex vocational or social service programs from the ground up.
Staff Supervision & Leadership: Expertise in hiring, training, mentoring, and managing a high-performing team of direct service professionals.
Budgeting & Financial Acumen: Skill in creating and managing departmental budgets, financial forecasting, and resource allocation.
Grant Writing & Fund Development: Demonstrated success in identifying funding opportunities, writing compelling grant proposals, and managing grant reporting.
Compliance & Quality Assurance: In-depth knowledge of regulatory standards (e.g., CARF, DOL, WIOA) and experience with audit preparation.
Employer & Community Engagement: Strong ability to network, build, and maintain strategic partnerships with businesses and community stakeholders.
Vocational Assessment & Career Planning: Proficiency with various vocational assessment tools and methodologies for creating individualized career plans.
Data Analysis & Reporting: Competency in using data to evaluate program effectiveness, track KPIs, and inform decision-making.
Curriculum Design & Training: Experience developing and delivering effective training curricula for both staff and program participants.
Case Management Software Proficiency: Familiarity with systems like ETO, Salesforce for Nonprofits, or similar client data management platforms.
Labor Market Analysis: Ability to research and interpret labor market trends to guide program development and client advisement.

Soft Skills

Visionary Leadership
Strategic Thinking & Planning
Exceptional Communication (Written & Verbal)
Interpersonal & Relationship-Building Skills
Empathy & Compassion
Negotiation & Persuasion
Complex Problem-Solving
Adaptability & Resilience
Mentorship & Coaching

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree in a relevant field.
Certifications such as Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) or Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) are highly desirable.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Vocational Rehabilitation
Social Work (MSW)
Human Services
Public Administration (MPA)
Business Administration (MBA)
Education or Counseling

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

A minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in workforce development, vocational rehabilitation, or a related field, including at least 3 years in a supervisory or program management capacity.

Preferred:

Proven track record in securing and managing substantial grant funding.
Direct experience working with diverse populations, such as individuals with disabilities, justice-involved individuals, veterans, or at-risk youth.
Demonstrable experience in building successful, large-scale employer partnership programs.