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Job Description
Please Note:
This recruitment will remain open until filled with a first review of applicants the week of June 1, 2026. The hiring authority reserves the right and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision at any time. We encourage all to apply as early as possible. The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates' qualifications within the starting salary range of $150,000 - $170,000 annually. Our physical office is located in Olympia, WA. This is a hybrid position with the ability to telework. However, you will need to attend in-person meetings or community events as required by the position.
Terms of Appointment:
Per RCW , the Executive Director shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the governor, in consultation with the council. Why work for the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board? The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board serves as the central coordinating body for Washington's workforce development system. Established by the Legislature in 1991, the Board brings together nine Governor-appointed leaders from business, labor, and government to help ensure the state's education and training programs are aligned, accountable, and responsive to Washington's economy. Through our strategic plan, Talent and Prosperity for All , and rigorous performance reporting that goes beyond federal requirements, the Board provides independent evaluation, policy leadership, and oversight to strengthen the state's workforce system and ensure a strong return on investment for taxpayers. As the state's hub for workforce strategy—advocating for effective programs, advising policymakers, and regulating key training providers—the Board plays a vital role in helping Washington residents access opportunity and helping employers find the talent they need. The job opportunity As the Executive Director, you'll represent the Governor and the state on workforce issues that affect Washington's businesses, workers, and communities. In this role, you help bring together leaders from business, labor, and government to build a shared understanding of workforce needs and identify evidence-based solutions that improve employment, earnings, and economic resilience for people across Washington. As Executive Director, you lead both the agency and the Board, working closely with the Board's business and labor co-chairs to fulfill statutory responsibilities and guide the Board's policy and strategic work. You prepare members to engage in meaningful discussions, support informed decision-making, and help ensure the state's workforce system is aligned, accountable, and focused on results. Working with a senior leadership team, you oversee strategy, compliance, fiscal stewardship, and organizational culture while advancing the Board's role as the state's independent performance accountability body for workforce development. Success in this role requires vision, collaboration, and the ability to bring diverse partners together to solve complex challenges. You will convene partners across education, government, labor, and industry to identify barriers, use data and research to guide solutions, and build consensus around policies and practices that strengthen Washington's workforce system and expand opportunity for communities statewide. In this role, you'll serve as a statutory member of numerous boards, commissions, committees, and work groups. You'll report on activities and results related to the Board's functions at each Board meeting. Public forums are held periodically in different regions of the state to share information about the Board, the agency, and the system, and to gather feedback and input into improvement strategies. Agency and system reports are also shared with relevant legislative committees annually. What you'll work on Board preparation, facilitation, and support, including policy development and advocacy, oversight of research, evaluation, and reporting. Provide executive leadership and direction to agency staff, including hiring, coaching, performance management, and organizational development to ensure alignment with strategic priorities. Direct and oversee day-to-day operations of the agency, ensuring effective coordination of staff, programs, and resources to meet statutory responsibilities and Board priorities. Full ownership of the agency's budget, including drafting, managing, and administering the department budget; monitoring expenditures and revenues; ensuring fiscal accountability and compliance with state requirements; and aligning financial resources with strategic goals. Administration, oversight, and promotion of distributed funds and regulatory responsibilities. Consensus-building for targeted systemic performance improvement strategies, including resource development from external sources (federal, philanthropic, state, local). Building relationships with current Board members, and partners. Developing new partnerships and encouraging engagement. Marketing and communication of the effectiveness, advancements, needs, and issues of the state's workforce development system, both within the state and nationally. Oversight of Private Career School Licensing, Veterans Programs, Career Bridge and other consumer information and consumer protection responsibilities. Inform Governor's policy and budget staff on issues and highlights of the agency; seeks input into new initiatives or activities. What we need you to bring
Required Qualifications:
Proven ability to lead and/or motivate large, sometimes diverse groups to action. Experience in economic, workforce, community or educational development, having made demonstrated impact on workforce outcomes. Excellent understanding of the breadth and complexities of the broad, comprehensive state workforce development system and the constituencies it serves. Solid understanding of the federal and state statutory and regulatory environment that establishes the parameters for service delivery. Ability to analyze complex data and communicate insights clearly to a range of audiences. Strong facilitation and negotiation skills especially working with diverse groups. Proven experience with development of legislative and administrative policies. Experience with budget and administration using federal, state, and private funding sources. Proven track record of working with business and/or labor to develop policies or programs. Proven experience driving organizational and operational improvements through effective project management, data analysis, and continuous improvement practices, with a solid grounding in diversity, equity, and inclusion principles. The ability to learn and grow. The ability to meet the needs of others.
Desired Qualifications:
Leadership role in public or not-for-profit sector, responsible for influencing service or policy reform. Experience working together with business and labor and/or within a joint employer-employee management structure to effect policies or programs, improving results for businesses and workers. Experience with community engagement initiatives. Worked with or for legislators or other policy-makers on policy reform initiatives. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. Don't let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have transferable experience, please tell us about it or contact us with questions about the required qualifications and how your experience relates to them.
What we offer:
We foster a culture of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences, believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well-being, we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees. Please visit our Recruitment Page for a full list of benefits available to employees. Here's a quick glance at some of the unique benefits that we offer: An environment of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance 12 paid holidays, 14 paid vacation days (minimum), and 12 days of sick leave per year State retirement programs
Application Process:
Once you've decided to apply for a state government job, you'll complete an online application to showcase your qualifications. Keep in mind that once you submit the application, a real person is going to read it. We do not use AI or other technology that screens your application and rejects it. So please be sure to provide clear and detailed information about your work history so your qualifications can be accurately assessed. We will contact the top candidates directly to schedule interviews. If you need reasonable accommodation in applying, please call 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384. When completing your application, we encourage you to attach all of the following: Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position
Resume:
that details your applicable experience and education.
References:
at least three professional references and their contact information.
Questions:
Our Staff ASL interpreter is available to all hearing impaired applicants. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process, please email us at TalentAcquisition@ofm.wa.gov . The Office of the Governor is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply.
