Associate Dean of Workforce Training

Associate Dean of Workforce Training

Department: Workforce Training
Location: Grand Rapids, MI

The Associate Dean supports the School of Workforce Training (WFT) through innovative, collaborative, and student-focused leadership to help shape the future of student success, academic excellence, and community impact at GRCC. The Associate Dean of the School of WFT is responsible for the management and day-to-day operations including programs in Job Training, Workforce Training, Customized Training, Construction Electrical Apprenticeship, and Grants. The Associate Dean of the School of WFT will foster a working environment that demonstrates a spirit of collaboration, innovation, access, and inclusion. The successful candidate will be a strategic leader with strong organizational skills and a deep understanding of and experience with education in WFT. The Associate Dean will work in cooperation with Program Managers to develop class schedules, determine instructional workloads, and support the implementation of the curriculum development process. This role also provides leadership and oversight of faculty professional development, evaluations, and tenure and promotion activities. To successfully achieve these results, the Associate Dean will need to cultivate effective and mutually beneficial relationships with faculty and administrators.

Requisition ID: 950
Employee Group: Professional, Management and Administration
Schedule: 40 hours/52 weeks
Compensation: OM5; $102,530 Annually
Benefits: Full-time
Reports to: Dean, School of Workforce Training
Posting Opens: 08/07/2025
Posting Closes: 08/22/2025

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

School Scheduling and Section Management

• In collaboration with Program Managers, schedule classes and manage section offerings
• Assign baseloads for full-time faculty and coordinate overload selections for full-time faculty
• Administer adjunct availability and course assignment process
• Manage room scheduling and facility needs for departments
• Ensure accuracy of Faculty Information Forms and contractual correctness of faculty loads

Office Oversight, Process Development, and Administration and Resource Management

• Participate in the supervision and evaluation of appropriate School office staff.
• Supervise adjunct faculty evaluations.
• Propose, create, implement, and review operational procedures and processes that impact the work of the School, in accordance with those in Academic and Student Affairs (ASA).
• Conduct mid-year and annual performance reviews for direct reports; review and approve evaluations for academic support staff for departments in the School.
• Approve payroll and leaves for staff direct reports.

Program/Curriculum Review and Support

• In collaboration with program managers, implement approved new/revised courses and programs.
• Support the Dean in disseminating and utilizing data relevant to School departments/programs concerning student success, retention, completion, transfer (including non-credit pathways), or other trends.
• Assist the Dean in identifying fundraising and grant development opportunities related to academic departments/programs, including Perkins (if applicable).
• Collaborate with and support the Dean on curricular processes and decision-making.
• Collaborate with and support ASA leaders (Provost direct reports, Associate Provost's Office, Associate Dean colleagues, Registrar's Office, Institutional Research, and Teaching, Learning, and Distance Education (TLDE) staff/faculty) on college-wide curricular processes and decision-making.
• Collaborate with College Associate Deans, Program Managers, Department Heads, Program Directors, and/or Associate Provost's Office for non-credit to credit curriculum alignment.

Faculty Administration and Support

• Approve faculty leaves of absence.
• Administer contract provisions for faculty.
• Monitor the relationship between the School and the bookstore, particularly as it relates to the availability of educational resources used to support classroom instruction.
• Serves as point of contact to address day-to-day faculty operations issues within the School.

Faculty Hiring

• Establish and maintain processes for hiring new faculty and staff, and regularly review hiring processes to ensure maximum effectiveness, collaborating with the Dean and Human Resources, as appropriate.
• In collaboration with the Dean, make recommendations for new hires to the Provost.
• Establish and maintain processes for hiring trainers, contractors, and non-credit faculty, and regularly review hiring processes to assure maximum effectiveness, collaborating with the Dean and Human Resources, as appropriate.
• In collaboration with program manager, hire adjunct faculty.
• In collaboration with the Program Managers, form and lead hiring committees for full-time faculty and staff.
• Implement agreed-upon hiring standards.

Faculty Evaluation

• Supervise adjunct and full-time faculty in their respective areas.
• Create Performance Improvement Plans (PIP) for faculty and staff and take disciplinary action when needed, collaborating with the Dean and Human Resources as needed.
• Lead and administer the Faculty Performance Evaluation (FPE) and tenure and promotion system for the School. This includes collaborating with colleagues to provide orientation and training for faculty and working with other college leaders to ensure the effective operation of these systems.
• In collaboration with Program Managers, form and facilitate tenure and promotion committees; make tenure and promotion recommendations to the Dean.
• Conduct faculty classroom observations and provide constructive written and verbal feedback as part of the evaluation process.

Faculty Professional Development

• In collaboration with the Dean, Program Managers, and TLDE to onboard and orient new School faculty around professional development and first-year expectations.
• Collaborate with the Dean, Program Managers, and TLDE to identify professional development needs for School faculty and staff.
• Serve as a member of the TLDE faculty professional development committee.

Student Life and Leadership

• Collaborate with the Office of Student Life and Conduct on initiatives and processes to attend to student misconduct.
• Lead School efforts to effectively address student complaints and grade grievances.
• Track student complaints for the School to identify trends and areas for improvement.
• Work with the General Counsel, the Director of Equal Employment Opportunity Compliance& Title IX Coordinator, and equal opportunity labor representatives, as needed, to address student concerns.
• Lead non-credit program efforts to effectively address student and employer complaints.

Additional Duties

• As guided by the Dean, work collaboratively with School partners, external institutions and/or organizations, and internal college faculty and staff to identify roles and ensure clear communication, cooperation, and accomplishment of School goals and/or outcomes.
• Collaborate and support the Dean on curricular processes, community projects, and decision-making.
• Serve on cross-college teams, including the Academic Governing Council (AGC), Strategic Leadership Team (SLT), and any other opportunities, as recommended by the Dean.
• Regular attendance during normal scheduled hours is required. Being present is essential for serving stakeholders and performing the essential functions of this position.
• Persons in this role are identified as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). CSAs will be trained and responsible for reporting Clery Reportable Crimes to Campus Police as required by the Clery Act.
• In collaboration with staff, provide periodic reviews of internal systems to ensure accurate and timely work.
• Prepare for and participate in multiple yearly GRCC, state, and federal audits and monitor visits.
• Other duties as assigned by the Dean.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Educational Credentials

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is required.

Work Experience

• At least five years' experience with community and non-profit partners, including but not limited to experience in the areas of business, social work, education, healthcare, and/or workforce development is required.
• At least three years' experience in a role responsible for leadership and oversight of educational programming or related experience is required.
• At least three years' teaching and/or workplace training experience with adult learners is required.
• Demonstrated experience with developing and moving forward initiatives that advance equity, access, and inclusion in a collaborative environment is required.
• Supervisory experience of instructional staff is preferred.
• Experience working with state and/or federal grants is preferred.
• Project management experience is preferred.
• Experience leading Workforce Training programs and accreditation in a higher education setting is preferred.
• Experience in a community college is preferred.
• Experience working in a collective bargaining environment is preferred.

Skills

• Strategic Leadership and Operational Oversight
• Collaborative Program and Curriculum Development
• Faculty Supervision, Evaluation, and Development
• Workforce and Community Engagement
• Inclusive and Student Centered Leadership

Physical Demands

• 
  The position requires long periods of sitting, standing, reading, writing, listening, and speaking

Mental Demands

• Highly motivated, focused, and results-oriented.
• Ability to be optimistic, positive, and supportive in all interactions with others.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Working Conditions

• GRCC will comply with any mandated health and safety requirements. Compliance information is available on our policies website
• Must be able to attend functions off campus and work weekends/evenings as required
• Professional travel required

BENEFITS

• Health Coverage: Six health insurance plan options, including one with no health insurance premiums.
• Time off: Enjoy substantial vacation time .
• Wellness Program: Access resources for physical and mental wellbeing, and an onsite gym membership
• Continuous Learning: Career development and educational opportunities .
• Retirement Plans: Secure your future with our retirement options , including the state retirement plan or a 401A with a 12% employer contribution.

NEXT STEPS / APPLICATION PROCESS

• Please complete an application: . Submit a cover letter and resume.
• The opportunity to apply for this position will close at the end of the day on the close date referenced at the top of this job posting.
• Grand Rapids Community College is an equal opportunity employer. Visa sponsorship is not available.

NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

Grand Rapids Community College creates an inclusive learning and working environment that recognizes the value and dignity of each person. It is the policy and practice of GRCC to provide equal educational and employment opportunities regardless of age, race, color, religion, marital status, sex/gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, height, weight, national origin, disability, political affiliation, familial status, veteran status or genetics in all programs, activities, services, employment and advancement including admissions to, access to, treatment in, or compensation in employment as required by state and federal law. GRCC is committed to reviewing all aspects of GRCC programs, activities, services and employment, including recruitment, selection, retention and promotion to identify and eliminate barriers in order to prevent discrimination on the basis of the listed protected characteristics. The college will not tolerate any form of retaliation against any person for bringing charges of discrimination or participating in an investigation. Further information may be obtained from the EEO Office or the Office of General Counsel, 143 Bostwick Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3295.

To apply, visit