Project Director, Lifting Futures

Project description

Lifting Futures (liftingfutures.org) Lifting Futures is the GE Aerospace Foundation’s flagship workforce skills program, designed to help train the advanced manufacturing workforce needed across the aviation and aerospace industries. The $30M program will train 10,000 workers by 2030, leave engaged communities more ready to support expanded workforce development programs, and generate new knowledge on how to close the labor gap that the aviation and aerospace industries face.

Lifting Futures has launched in the U.S. in Cincinnati, Ohio; Dallas, Texas; Auburn, and internationally Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Wroclaw, Poland. It will identify another 5-7 cities by the end of 2026. In these cities, Lifting Futures will award, manage, and support grants to achieve program goals.

The Project Director will be responsible for the overall and quality implementation of the Workforce Development Project and report to the Director of Programs.

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide technical and overall leadership to the project team, ensuring that the project meets it training objectives, creates long-lasting community engagement that continues to improve aerospace workforce systems, and builds new knowledge.
• Oversee the technical quality of project implementation and operational functions, including management and staffing, subawards, and deliverables, in compliance with FHI 360 policies and procedures.
• Establish work plans, processes, and policies to meet project goals within the prescribed time frame and funding parameters, and ensure compliance with the GE Aerospace Foundation, FHI 360, and project policies.
• In collaboration with project finance experts and the Director of Programs, review and revise the project budget, and ensure that funds are expended prudently and within budget parameters.
• In collaboration with the project technical experts, assess and analyze education and workforce development challenges in target communities to inform grant development and partner selection.
• In collaboration with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) team, develop and oversee the implementation of a MERL plan for the project, ensuring that it supports project goals and generates meaningful knowledge.
• In collaboration with project communications experts, the GE Aerospace Foundation, and the Director of Programs, develop and oversee the implementation of a communications plan for the project, and ensure its alignment with FHI 360’s portfolio of GE Aerospace Foundation-funded projects.
• Lead a cross-departmental team of 12-14 staff working full- or part-time on this project, as well as consultants in targeted communities.
• Support the Director of Programs in liaising with, delivering reports to, and providing as-needed communications to the Project Funder, the GE Aerospace Foundation.
• Identify, build, and support partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to develop community plans with industry; technical, vocational, and training institutions; and local government sector actors that enhance resources and ownership to reach shared goals.
• Foster a culture of learning, excellence, teamwork, and accountability; promote and maintain a safe and equitable work environment for all staff.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree or its international equivalent in Workforce Education, Workforce Development, International Development, Economic Development, Education, Public Administration, Public Affairs, Policy Studies, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in project management, overseeing complex projects and initiatives, including experience managing global projects.
• Minimum of 5 years in a leadership position.
• Demonstrated expertise in workforce education, workforce development, or a related area.
• Experience leading and managing complex projects on an international scale.
• Experience leading teams in complex settings, providing multiple grants, and managing human and financial resources.
• Experience working with and building partnerships with a broad range of stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations, corporations, community colleges and technical and vocational training institutions, and public sector and local government actors relating to education, training and workforce development.
• English fluency required. Fluency in a second language is a possible advantage.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certifications relevant to organizational leadership.
• Experience with private sector funded programming
• We welcome candidates with other relevant certifications or their international equivalents.
• Experience in advanced manufacturing and/or aerospace industry a plus.
• Experience managing large grant portfolio in different contexts.
• Experience in US and international programming a plus.

Travel:

• Up to 20% travel may be required for this role.

The expected US Based hiring salary range for this role is listed below. FHI 360 pay ranges represent national averages that vary by geographic location. When determining an offer amount, FHI 360 factors in multiple considerations, including but not limited to: relevant years of experience and education possessed by the applicant, internal equity, business sector, and budget. For internal candidates, salary placement will also follow FHI 360’s current promotional increase guidelines. Final compensation will be determined in accordance with applicable law and FHI 360 policy.

Base salary is only one component of our offer. FHI 360 contributes 7% of monthly base pay to a money purchase pension plan account. Additionally, all US based staff working full-time, which is calculated at 40 hours/week, receive 18 days of paid vacation per year, 12 sick days per year, and 11 holidays per year. Paid time off is reduced pro rata for employees working less than a full-time schedule.

US Based Hiring Salary Range: USD $130,000 - $160,000 annually

International hiring ranges will differ based on location

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

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