Exe. Dir. Workforce Development & Innovation

Executive Director for Workforce Development and Innovation

Position Summary:

Gwynedd Mercy University, one of only 17 Mercy institutions of higher education in the United States, invites inquiries, nominations and applications for an experienced and innovative academic leader to fill the inaugural role of Executive Director for Workforce Development and Innovation. Reporting to the Provost and Vice President and Academic Affairs with a dotted line to the Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer, this is an exciting opportunity to help guide the strategic direction of the university and build upon its rich history of meeting the next great need in society through innovation and a growth mindset. The Executive Director will lead cross-functional initiatives that advance the strategic goals of the University, drive enrollment growth and the development of innovative credit and non-credit academic partnerships, and promote career-connected, interdisciplinary, and experiential learning opportunities. This position is integral to fostering an environment that supports creative and interdisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning. A visionary with knowledge of trends affecting higher education, experience with new program development, and the ability to work in cross- functional teams to achieve enrollment and financial goals, is highly desired.

Since its founding in 1948 by the Sisters of Mercy, Gwynedd Mercy University has grown from a small junior college with just 48 students to a nationally ranked private Catholic university with more than 25,000 alumni. The University serves about 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students from diverse racial, ethnic, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds, and offers a mix of traditional, on-campus and fully online, accelerated options across more than 40 programs within the College of Arts, Sciences and Professional Studies and the Frances M. Maguire College of Nursing and Health Professions.

GMercyU is a place where students not only gain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their careers but also become part of a mission-driven community that embodies its core values of integrity, respect, service, and social justice. Located on a 145-acre parklike campus just 30 minutes outside Philadelphia, GMercyU is large enough to provide rich academic, athletic, and real-world learning experiences of a larger university, but small enough that professors know each student by name. It’s why 96% of recent graduates were employed or in graduate school within six months; GMercyU is ranked in the top 7% nationwide for 10-year earnings (Georgetown Center for Education and the Workforce); and the University achieved the highest increase in U.S News and World Report rankings of any school in the Commonwealth and the sixth highest in the country in 2023.

In recent years the University has embarked on multiple campus transformation projects, including the complete renovation of its oldest residence hall, the addition of a newly renovated baseball and softball field complex, a new outdoor gathering space for students, and new dining facilities, to name just a few. This fall, the University will open the Frances M. Maguire ’55 Healthcare Innovation Center. Funded, in part, by a $10 million gift from the Maguire Foundation, this 63,000 square foot building will include state-of-the market technology and teaching and learning spaces that promote interprofessional learning among nursing, occupational therapy, social work, computer science and many other majors.

The Executive Director will be instrumental in leveraging these assets to create new pathways for adult learners, professional upskilling, and strengthening the University’s role as a regional hub for workforce development, continuing education, and entrepreneurship.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Planning and Innovation

• Lead the development and implementation of innovative and mission- and market- aligned academic initiatives that drive institutional growth and workforce relevance.
• Monitor and assess the effectiveness of innovation initiatives and recommend adjustments to ensure long-term success
• Promote internal and external interdisciplinary programs and partnerships that support enrollment growth, achieve academic excellence, and career readiness.

2. Program Development and Enhancement

• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and senior leadership to create new forward-looking courses, workshops, programs, and corporate partnerships that address emerging market needs and trends
• Lead the creation or modification of programs, certificates/certifications, and professional development opportunities that reflect the evolving needs of students, employers, and the broader community including non-credit and continuing education offerings
• Encourage innovative pedagogical approaches that incorporate technology, experiential learning, and other modern methodologies into the curriculum to differentiate the University’s offerings in a crowded market

3. External Partnerships and Engagement

• Establish and strengthen partnerships with external organizations to promote growth and innovation, resulting in increased market share
• Establish an interdisciplinary Innovation Advisory Board to advise on innovative opportunities and strategies to impact enrollment and student outcomes
• Identify opportunities for collaboration with businesses and non-profit organizations to expand internships and other experiential learning opportunities, and workforce development programs including customized training and upskilling initiatives
• Represent the University at external events to build brand and support growth in market share

4. Resource Development

• Work closely with University Advancement to identify and secure funding opportunities that support innovation and growth initiatives
• Partner with the Finance office to identify and leverage internal funding sources to support growth and innovation
• Cultivate relationships with, grant agencies, and corporate partners to advance the University’s mission and support workforce-aligned innovation
• Develop and manage budgets for innovation-focused academic programs
• Create self-sustaining Innovation operation that designs programs with built-in funding models such as corporate sponsorships, grant funding, or fee-for-service models

Encourage a culture of collaboration and cross-disciplinary engagement among faculty members to support interdisciplinary and interprofessional learning and applied learning models

5. Assessment and Reporting

• Regularly assess the impact of innovation and growth initiatives
• Collect and analyze data on student success, faculty engagement, and institutional impact to inform future decision-making and planning
• Achieve unit financial independence and growth by focusing on year-over-year revenue increases. This will be accomplished through proactive financial planning and the development of key strategic partnerships.

6. Leadership and Collaboration

• Provide leadership in the creation and execution of the strategic vision related to growth and innovation
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive work environment that encourages experimentation and the collegial exchange of ideas
• Serve as a liaison between departments, administration, and external stakeholders to ensure the alignment of initiatives and goals

Qualifications:

• Education: Master’s degree, or higher, in Business, Innovation or a related field from an accredited college or university required.
• Experience: Non-traditional backgrounds welcomed, including those who’ve led innovation labs, built successful startups, or driven growth in corporate learning environments.
• Knowledge: A deep understanding of higher education trends, academic program development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovative growth strategies
• Skills:

o Demonstrated success in launching and scaling revenue-generating programs or ventures

o Experience working across sectors such as higher education, corporate, nonprofit to build partnerships and secure funding

o Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills

o Ability to think strategically and manage complex projects

o Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to adapt and innovate in a changing academic environment

o Familiarity with accreditation processes, curriculum development, and shared governance

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a senior leadership role in higher education, particularly in the areas of growth and innovation, and healthcare
• Multi-lingual
• Record of successful interdisciplinary and cross-functional collaboration
• Experience with entrepreneurial initiatives, such as launching new programs, credentials, certifications or innovative initiatives that support enrollment growth