Executive Director, Regional Employment
Executive Director, Regional Employment
All Stories
May 14, 2026
Share on Facebook
Share via Email
The Executive Director will lead the implementation of a regional strategy
designed to attract, retain, and connect young adults in a variety of life
circumstances to economic opportunity in the Kenosha/Racine region. The
position will transform a strategic vision into an operational system that
integrates workforce development, community building, and talent attraction.
Working closely with regional partners, including employers, economic
development organizations, municipalities, educational institutions, and
community organizations, the Executive Director will start to impact the
initiative by building and managing:
Workforce Systems:
Create a regional employment and career navigation system connecting young
adults to increase social mobility across various levels of education and
life experiences
Data Systems: Collect comprehensive data in a developed ecosystem for both
individuals who would benefit from the established system, as well as the
existing opportunities in Southeastern Wisconsin, in a sophisticated and
longitudinal way.
Communication Systems: Identify a marketing and communications strategy to
articulate the initiative and connect with the key stakeholders, including
young adults and organizations.
This role requires a leader capable of launching complex regional initiatives,
building cross-sector partnerships, managing data-driven programs, and
establishing Kenosha/Racine as a destination for young workers.
Responsibilities:
Workforce System Development:
Build and oversee a regional labor market intelligence system mapping
entry-level jobs, wages, career pathways, and skill requirements intended
to make connections with the youth of the region.
Develop a career navigation infrastructure that provides individualized
guidance to young adults typically in the age range of 16–25.
Coordinate employer partnerships that support work-based learning
programs.
Community Development:
Connect young adults across the region through professional and social
networks, in concert with community partners, that can develop programming
that fosters social connection and retention among early-career workers.
Talent Attraction and Regional Marketing:
In collaboration with Marketing and Communication, design and implement a
targeted recruitment campaign attracting young adults.
Develop data-driven outreach strategies, including digital marketing,
geographic targeting, and influencer partnerships
Build and maintain a prospect database of potential recruits and manage a
multi-stage recruitment funnel that includes a deep relationship with
local high schools and community colleges.
Partnership Development:
Build strategic partnerships with:
Regional employers
Economic development agencies
Tourism and cultural organizations
Educational institutions
Municipal governments
Align partners around shared goals for workforce growth and talent
attraction.
Data, Evaluation, and Impact Measurement:
Establish performance metrics focused on outcomes such as:
Placement in jobs that create social mobility
Retention of young adults in the region to influence population deficits
Use data to refine programs and allocate resources to the most effective
initiatives.
Resource Development and Financial Management:
In concert with others, assist in securing funding through public grants,
philanthropy, employer contributions, and institutional partnerships.
Develop sustainable financial models for long-term program operation.
Qualifications:
Required:
10+ years of leadership experience in workforce development, economic
development, regional planning, or higher education innovation
Demonstrated success in launching complex multi-stakeholder initiatives
Experience building cross-sector partnerships
Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills
Exceptional program management and development abilities
Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
Preferred:
Experience in talent attraction, regional workforce systems, or community
economic development
Background working with higher education institutions
Experience building digital platforms or workforce data systems
Knowledge of Midwest economic and demographic trends
Key Competencies:
Successful candidates will demonstrate:
Systems thinking
Coalition building
Entrepreneurial leadership
Strategic marketing and communications
Workforce ecosystem design
Community engagement
Results-oriented program management
About Carthage
Located on the shore of Lake Michigan in the thriving Chicago-Milwaukee
corridor, Carthage College blends the best liberal arts traditions with
desirable degree programs, transformative learning opportunities, and personal
attention from dedicated faculty and staff. Our beautiful campus, an 80-acre
arboretum with stunning lake views, is home to 2,600 undergraduate students
and 200 graduate students. Founded in 1847, Carthage is consistently named a
Best Midwestern College by The Princeton Review and a Most Innovative School
by U.S. News & World Report. All Carthage employees play a vital part in the
success of our students, as we work together to create an environment where
all can achieve their true potential. Grow with Carthage.
Carthage College is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) dedicated to the
goal of building a culturally diverse community. We welcome applications from
a broad spectrum of people, including members of ethnic minorities, women,
veterans, and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will
receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion,
sex, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin,
protected veteran status or status as an individual with a disability.
