Vice President of Economic & Workforce Development

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About Roxbury Community College

Roxbury Community College (RCC) is a public institution of higher education offering associate degrees, certificate programs and lifelong learning opportunities to the Greater Boston community. The Department of Education recognized RCC as a Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) and as one of the top 100 community colleges in the country for student outcomes through the Postsecondary Success Recognition Program, making it the only community college in Massachusetts with these designations.

RCC offers 24 associate degree programs, 6 credit-based certificate programs, 13 non-credit professional certification programs, 30+ lifelong learning and fitness classes, and customized incumbent worker training programs. The college hosts hundreds of civic and community events at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center each year. RCC is committed to providing all learners with the academic and non-academic support required for degree completion and long-term success.

Roxbury Community College is guided by our six core values of Accountability, Equity, Excellence, Honesty, Integrity, and Respect. RCC is also an AA/EO employer and strongly encourages applications from candidates who would enhance the diversity of its staff. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act require all institutes of higher education to disclose campus policy statements and crime statistics. Our annual report is available at Clery Report.

Job Description:

Position Summary

Roxbury Community College (RCC) seeks a visionary, entrepreneurial, and equity-driven leader to serve as its next Vice President of Economic & Workforce Development (EWD). Reporting directly to the President and serving as a member of the President’s Executive Leadership Team, the Vice President will provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, and innovative direction for one of the College’s most mission-critical divisions.

The Vice President will lead RCC’s comprehensive workforce and economic mobility strategy by overseeing a dynamic portfolio of workforce training programs, industry partnerships, grant-funded initiatives, entrepreneurship programming, and career pathways that connect students and community members to high-demand careers and economic opportunity. This role is central to advancing RCC’s commitment to educational equity, workforce innovation, and community impact throughout Greater Boston and surrounding communities.

The Vice President will guide a division that serves as a regional workforce engine, aligning workforce programming with labor market demand, employer needs, and emerging industries while ensuring measurable outcomes in credential attainment, employment placement, wage growth, and economic mobility.

Key Areas of Oversight

  • Center for Workforce Development (CWD)
  • Center for Economic and Social Justice (CESJ)
  • Business Innovation Center (BIC)
  • Center for Smart Building Technology (C4SBT)
  • Career Services and Employer Engagement
  • Corporate and Contract Training
  • Workforce Grants and Strategic Partnerships

Essential Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Workforce Innovation

  • Develop and execute a comprehensive economic and workforce development strategy aligned with RCC’s mission and regional workforce priorities.
  • Position RCC as a leading workforce development institution and economic mobility hub within Greater Boston and the Commonwealth.
  • Advance workforce pathways in healthcare, clean energy, technology, entrepreneurship, and business.
  • Expand seamless pathways between non-credit workforce training and credit-bearing academic programs.

External Partnerships & Economic Development

  • Cultivate strategic partnerships with employers, government agencies, workforce boards, and community organizations.
  • Serve as RCC’s primary representative within regional workforce and economic development ecosystems.
  • Expand employer engagement initiatives leading to internships, apprenticeships, job placements, and customized training opportunities.
  • Increase corporate training and employer-based revenue opportunities.

Operational & Financial Leadership

  • Oversee a complex portfolio of workforce grants, contracts, and revenue-generating initiatives.
  • Ensure compliance with all federal, state, accreditation, and grant reporting requirements.
  • Lead budget development, fiscal planning, and operational oversight across the division.
  • Develop sustainable funding models and diversify revenue streams.

Data, Outcomes & Institutional Effectiveness

  • Develop systems to track workforce outcomes including enrollment, completion, placement, and wage gains.
  • Utilize labor market data and workforce trends to inform strategy and program development.
  • Partner with Institutional Research and operational teams to support performance reporting and continuous improvement.

Team Leadership & Organizational Development

  • Lead and mentor directors, managers, and workforce development staff.
  • Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and equity.
  • Strengthen operational systems and staffing infrastructure to support growth and sustainability.

Reports To: President of Roxbury Community College

Requirements:

Required Qualifications

  • Master’s degree from an accredited institution required; doctorate preferred.
  • Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in workforce development, economic development, higher education, or a related field.
  • Demonstrated experience managing complex budgets, grants, and externally funded initiatives.
  • Proven success developing strategic partnerships with employers, public agencies, and community organizations.
  • Strong understanding of workforce systems, labor market trends, and economic mobility strategies

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience within community colleges or public higher education systems.
  • Experience leading clean energy, healthcare, entrepreneurship, or technology workforce initiatives.
  • Familiarity with workforce data systems, performance reporting, and grant compliance processes.

Leadership Competencies

  • Strategic and visionary leadership
  • Entrepreneurial mindset and innovation
  • Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills
  • Financial and operational acumen
  • Equity-centered leadership
  • Exceptional communication skills
  • Ability to lead system-level change and organizational transformation

Additional Information:

Location: Roxbury Community College, 1234 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02120

Unit Status: Non-Union

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Compensation: $170,000.00 to $190,000.00

Application Deadline: Until filled

How to apply

All applicants must apply online by submitting:

  • Cover Letter
  • Resume
  • (3) Professional References

Successful applicants will be required to complete a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI/SORI) request.

After completing all the steps above, please go back into the newly created account and double check that your resume and cover letter uploaded as you intended.

Roxbury Community College understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance with the job application process, please contact Pat Noel, ADA Coordinator, at 857-701-1290 or [email protected].

The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education – Roxbury Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education – Roxbury Community College will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Roxbury Community College only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you do not have access to a computer, please contact Human Resources at [email protected].