Associate Director - Community Education & Workforce Solutions

Job Summary

Hawkeye Community College’s Business and Community Education department is looking for an Associate Director – Community Education & Workforce Solutions to join their team at the Automation & Robotics Center.

The Business and Community Education department provides services to the community, students and businesses looking for short-term training, continuing education, workforce training, apprenticeships, customized business training, and community resources. The Automation and Robotics Center is the first in the state to provide an open concept lab, competency and project based training, and hands-on skill assessment with industry recognized stackable credentials. The center is outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment and instructional programming from FANUC, Rockwell, and Amatrol. Aligning our programming with Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) standards. Students are moved along their career focused pathway and businesses to their workforce goals utilizing customized training preparing each to be digitally ready for the future of advanced manufacturing.

As the Associate Director you are leading the development, promotion, and daily operations of a state-of-the-art Automation and Robotics Center (ARC) to develop a regional hub for innovation, skills development, and career advancement. This is done through a combination of strategic leadership, partnership cultivation, and technical oversight to support Hawkeye Community College's mission of empowering students and strengthening businesses. You will build and maintain relationships with business and industry stakeholders, educational partners, and workforce development agencies to deliver responsive, credentialed, and competency-based training. Additionally, you will be supervising staff and ensuring a safe, innovative, and industry-aligned learning environment that meets the evolving needs of regional employers and learners.

Hawkeye Community College is a comprehensive community college focused on meeting the needs of the community by providing quality, affordable learning experiences for a diverse student body through our Adult Learning Center, Business and Community Education Department as well as through more than 50 career and technical programs and liberal arts transfer programs. Hawkeye Community College’s mission is about empowering students, strengthening businesses and enriching communities with a vision to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.

Essential Job Functions

Important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assists in the direction of daily operations, staffing, and programming of the center.

• Ensure a safe, inclusive, and innovative learning environment.

• Provides oversight in the monitoring of facility and equipment readiness; coordinating scheduling, safety protocols, and maintenance to support effective instructional environments.

• Provides direction, feedback, mentorship, performance evaluation, and professional development opportunities to assigned staff.

• Collaborates in developing, implementing, and promoting training programs and workforce solutions aligned with the advanced manufacturing industry.

• Participates in program and curriculum review efforts, supporting continuous improvement of training content, delivery models, and industry credentials.

• Shares responsibility as a liaison between ARC and industry to identify skill gaps and propose responsive training solutions.

• Participates in the building and maintaining of strong partnerships with business and industry leaders, economic development organizations, and educational partners.

• Maintains the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to track leads, communications, training delivery, and outcomes.

• Collaborates with internal departments to align outreach efforts and ensure promotional materials accurately reflect training programs and capabilities.

• Collaborates in the managing of center projects and initiatives with internal and external stakeholders.

• Prioritizes and completes work independently, accurately and promptly.

• Participates in and supports program and curriculum reviews, assessment activities, and ongoing instructional improvement through program and student data analysis.

• Attends and represents Hawkeye at industry events, conferences, and advisory board meetings; contributing to community engagement and institutional visibility.

• Maintains professionalism and confidentiality in all areas of responsibility.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Unless otherwise approved under Hawkeye’s remote work policy, regular on campus and/or onsite attendance is considered an essential function of the position.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate's Degree in Industrial Technology, Business, or a closely related field.

• Minimum of 6000 hours (3 years) of recent relevant work experience in industry or an educational setting.

• One year of supervisory experience.

• Mastery of one or more of the key subject areas of advanced manufacturing such as robotics, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), hydraulics, pneumatics, industry 4.0, machining, mechanical, industrial networking, and automation systems.

• Experience in program management and administration.

• Demonstrated success in building partnerships with business and educational partners.

• Strong organizational skills.

• Great interpersonal skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to positively interact with students, faculty, and staff.

• Ability to provide excellent customer service, maintain student confidence, and protect operational integrity.

• Extensive experience using and adapting technologies to the work environment.

• Demonstrated ability to work with a wide array of students, faculty, staff, and the general public.

• Demonstrated ability in problem solving.

• Ability to travel to and from work sites and meetings, day and evening.

• Demonstrated ability to initiate, execute, and follow up on projects with clear objectives and measurable outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Automation or a closely related field.

• Post-secondary education teaching experience in basic to advanced manufacturing theory.

• Mastery of multiple subject areas in advanced manufacturing technologies and experience managing technical labs/environments.

• Experience preparing learners for industry certifications and developing credential-based programs.

• Experience with online/blended instructional methods and involvement in industry advisory boards or committees.

Working Conditions

Anticipated schedule is Monday – Friday 8am – 4:30pm with occasional evening or weekend hours based on business needs and/or events.

Work is performed either in or a combination of an office setting, classroom setting, industrial lab environment, and potential exposure to a manufacturing like space using technology. Requires good hand-eye coordination including visual acuity to use a keyboard and read technical information; arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp. Sit, stand, bend, lift and move frequently during working hours. During course of day, interact with students, faculty and staff in person, by telephone and computers.

Employment Status

Full time, exempt position with comprehensive or competitive benefits program including health, dental, vision, life, and LTD insurance, a Section 125 plan for medical and dependent care expenses; holiday, personal, sick, and vacation leave; tuition reimbursement / tuition remission; and a choice of retirement programs—IPERS (defined benefit) or TIAA (defined contribution).

• The salary range for this position starts at $62,000.

• Beginning salary will be determined by considering the candidate’s education and experience.

Application Procedure

• Complete an online application at www.hawkeyecollege.edu/employment

  • Submit/upload a cover letter addressing the following:

    • Describe the knowledge and skills students need now and into the near future to obtain and maintain gainful employment in advanced manufacturing-related fields.

    • Share your experience with building relationships the business, agencies, industry stakeholders and community organizations.

    • Describe your understanding of the underlying philosophy of Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0.

  • Submit/upload a resume.

  • Submit/upload 3 professional references with a minimum of 1 being from a current/past supervisor.

• Application deadline: Sunday, September 7, 2025

• Priority screening set to begin on: Monday, September 8, 2025. Completed applications, along with the required materials received after the priority screening date will be considered at the discretion of the college.

All application materials must be submitted by Sunday, September 7, 2025 by 11:59 PM CST.

Apply Online

Hawkeye Community College is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to equity and diversity in its educational services and employment practices: hawkeyecollege.edu/about/equal-opportunity/. The College does not discriminate on the basis of sex; race; age; color; creed; national origin; religion; disability; sexual orientation; gender identity; genetic information; or actual or potential parental, family, or marital status in its programs, activities, or employment practices. Veteran status is also included to the extent covered by law. Any person alleging a violation of equity regulations shall have the right to file a formal complaint. Inquiries concerning application of this statement should be addressed to: Equity Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator for employees, 319-296-4405; or Title IX Coordinator for students, 319-296-4448; Hawkeye Community College, 1501 East Orange Road, P.O. Box 8015, Waterloo, Iowa 50704-8015; or email equity-titleIX@hawkeyecollege.edu, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661, phone number 312-730-1560, fax 312-730-1576, email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov.

If any applicant is in need of a reasonable accommodation in completing the application process, please notify a member of Human Resource Services.