- Full Time
- Warwick, RI
Vice President of Workforce Partnerships & Institutional Advancement
Location: Warwick, RI
Excelon Associates has been retained to recruit a highly strategic and visionary leader for the role of Vice President of Workforce Partnerships & Institutional Advancement on behalf of our client. This individual will play a critical role in driving partnerships, securing external funding, and expanding the institution’s capacity to deliver innovative workforce and educational solutions.
The Vice President will provide executive-level leadership in aligning workforce initiatives with advancement strategies, fostering employer and industry partnerships, cultivating philanthropic relationships, and shaping the organization’s long-term vision. This position will be a key member of the senior leadership team, contributing to strategic planning and institutional growth at the highest level.
Key ResponsibilitiesWorkforce & Employer Partnerships
- Develop and strengthen partnerships with employers and industry leaders to ensure that programs align with current and future workforce needs.
- Collaborate with local, state, and federal stakeholders to build talent pipelines and credentialing opportunities that support high-demand sectors, including healthcare, IT, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy.
- Partner with internal academic and training teams to align curricula and non-credit programs with evolving labor market data.
- Lead initiatives for apprenticeships, work-based learning, and incumbent worker training programs to support regional workforce development.
Institutional Advancement
- Lead the advancement strategy to expand philanthropic, corporate, and grant-based funding opportunities.
- Cultivate relationships with donors, alumni, foundations, and corporate sponsors to support long-term institutional priorities.
- Oversee the planning and execution of fundraising campaigns, targeted donor initiatives, and major advancement events.
- Manage all phases of external funding development, including federal, state, and private grant programs.
Community & Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as a primary ambassador for the institution, representing its mission, programs, and impact to external partners.
- Build relationships with public officials, workforce boards, community organizations, and economic development agencies to strengthen the institution’s position as a leading workforce and education partner.
- Promote the organization’s workforce success stories and student outcomes to enhance visibility and attract additional resources.
Leadership & Strategic Integration
- Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, contributing to strategic planning, organizational growth, and institutional positioning.
- Lead, mentor, and inspire high-performing teams across workforce partnerships and institutional advancement.
- Foster a culture of innovation, equity, and collaboration while driving alignment between departments and external partnerships.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements
- Master’s degree in business, education, workforce development, or a related field.
- Proven experience developing executive-level partnerships with employers, industry leaders, and philanthropic organizations.
- Demonstrated success in capital campaigns, portfolio management, and securing major gifts or grants.
- Strong background in strategic planning, organizational development, and cross-functional leadership.
- Exceptional communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
- Proven ability to manage and mentor diverse teams across multiple departments.
Preferred Qualifications
- Doctorate or terminal degree in a relevant discipline.
- Experience within higher education, workforce development, or large-scale organizational leadership.
- Familiarity with regional, state, and federal workforce and economic development programs (e.g., WIOA, Perkins, NSF, U.S. DOL).
- Knowledge of best practices in employer engagement, grant management, and institutional advancement.
Position Details
- Title: Vice President of Workforce Partnerships & Institutional Advancement
- Reporting To: Senior Executive Leadership
- Direct Reports: 3 (including two Executive Directors within Workforce Partnerships)
- Travel: Primarily regional day travel to meet with employers, vendors, and partners.
About the Opportunity
This is a newly restructured executive role designed to unify workforce development and institutional advancement under one visionary leader. The ideal candidate will bring the ability to balance strategic oversight with relationship-driven execution, ensuring both sustainable funding growth and employer engagement.
Excelon Associates is proud to manage this search and invites highly qualified candidates to express their interest.
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Excelon does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, marital or veteran status, disability, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.