ACOM REHAB DIRECTOR - SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Position Summary

The Business Engagement Director is responsible for managing the work of a small to medium­ sized professional and administrative support staff by overseeing all aspects of their unit 's performance, including recruiting, training, scheduling, planning projects, and evaluating the performance of incumbents. The Director may also be involved in developing new business opportunities for their unit and agency. This might include identifying potential business/industry clients, pitching services to those business/industry clients, and negotiating services with them.

They also create and direct planning and operation of programs designed to educate employed/unemployed persons with disabilities, employees without disabilities, businesses, and organizations with common service delivery problems and referring clients to other services within and without the agency.  Collaborates with ARS Senior Management Team, Commissioner, and National Vocational Rehabilitation teams on creating initiatives that result in employment outcomes for clients. Develops and recommends staff, materials, equipment needs, and costs allotments for Business Engagement Unit. Consults with and advises staff and outside partner agencies on policies, procedures, and guidelines that identifies the characteristics and impact of work problems by formulating possible solutions. Recommends and implements new and revised policies and procedures and interprets state and federal laws to respond to changes in program needs, objectives, and priorities and to improve the effectiveness of the programs.

Education and Professional Work Experience

Minimum Qualifications

The formal education equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in public administration, general business, or a related area; plus, five years of experience in rehabilitation program evaluation activities, including two years in a supervisory capacity.

Preferred Qualifications

The formal education equivalent of a bachelor 's degree in sales, community outreach, public administration, general business, marketing, or a related area; plus, four years of experience in vocational rehabilitation service delivery or related area, including one year in a supervisory or leadership capacity.

Leadership: Responsible for overseeing the production of a project. Lead teams of professionals by delegating tasks, motivating teams and holding regular meetings to check in on progress. Ability to make executive decisions about the direction of projects and teams.

Communication: Ability to communicate with clients, colleagues and employees by using verbal and written communication skills to convey ideas, information and to build and maintain professional relationships with clients and colleagues.

Problem-solving: Ability to develop strategies for overcoming challenges by identifying problems, developing solutions, and evaluating the success of those solutions. Ability to use problem-solving skills to develop training programs for businesses, agencies, and clients.

Strategic thinking: Skills to use strategic thinking to develop plans for businesses, agencies, and clients by creating solutions that meet the needs of businesses, agencies, and clients to enable them achieve goals. Knowledge to develop long-term plans that increase productivity for businesses.

Teamwork: Ability to work with a team of other professionals to complete projects by helping their teams to communicate effectively, collaborate on ideas, and complete projects in a timely manner.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities                                                           

• Knowledge of principles and practices of organizational management.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws related to the rehabilitation and rights of the disabled.
• Knowledge of divisional and program policies, procedures, and operations.
• Knowledge of long-range planning and organizational techniques.
• Ability to plan work unit objectives and operational activities and assign and direct the work of subordinate supervisor.
• Ability to direct and coordinate management programs and services.
• Ability to interpret and apply state and federal laws and guidelines to operating and program functions.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate operating and program effectiveness and compliance.
• Ability to prepare, present, and review oral and written information and materials.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of business negotiation proceedings.
• Ability to select, develop, and cultivate business prospects.
• Ability to analyze data and compile reports.
• Ability to prepare and present training sessions, presentations, and written reports.
• Ability to follow instructions, problem solve, think creatively, and independently.

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Job Responsibilities and Expected Results

1. Managing a team of Business Engagement Consultants and by providing guidance on projects.
2. Establish long-term relationships with SMT members, businesses and industries, WIOA partners, and national Business Engagement Directors.
3. Managing Business Engagement Consultants' relationships by ensuring that business clients are satisfied with the services being provided by the Business Engagement Unit.
4. Providing leadership to the Business Engagement Unit by setting goals and objectives for the unit, as well as collaborating with individual departments within the agency.
5. Identifying new business opportunities for the agency by networking with potential businesses in a variety of industries on state, national, and global levels.
6. Developing strategic plans to help companies reach their employment goals.
7. Knowledge of vocational/industrial safety programs.
8. Ability to plan, organize, and oversee the work of others.
9. Ability to prepare, present, and review oral and written information.
10. Ability to develop, monitor, and evaluate the effectiveness of vocational programs, job standards, and industrial safety guidelines for the disabled.
11. Ability to research laws, regulations, and standards that apply to the disabled.
12. Ability to promote the goals of the Arkansas Rehabilitation Service by working in partnership with all mandated Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act partners.
13. Travel to meet with clients or attend training conferences.
14. Ability to meet deadlines and achieve outcomes as pertaining to WIOA sec. 116(b)(2)(A)(i)(VI) Approach 3 - Employer Penetration Rate - addresses the programs' efforts to provide quality engagement and services to all employers and sectors within a State and local economy.

Key Business Processes/Duties

1. Developing and maintaining relationships with existing and/or new companies.
2. Developing maintain contacts and relationships with communities.
3. Conducting training on disability and sensitivity training.
4. Identifying and offering customize solutions to employers.
5. Maintaining accurate records and reports.
6. Conducting labor market research, identifying trends, and sharing data with WIOA Partners and Workforce.