Title: Director, Employment Business Services
Unit: Education and Employment Services
Salary: $80,000 to $85,000 annually
Reports to: Senior Director, Workforce Development
Status: Full-Time; Regular, Exempt
Location: Long Island City, Queens
Organization Overview:
The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for over 57 years in service to our mission: to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. The organization has evolved into one of the nation’s preeminent reentry and justice-informed service organizations, providing formerly-incarcerated people with the skills and wrap-around services needed to break the cycle of crime and incarceration and to build productive lives in their communities.
Fortune has grown steadily over the years to an agency just under $79 million in annual budget with just under 600 staff. We anticipate that we will keep growing, both in size and in depth of service. Fortune has a dual mission: both advocacy and service. The advocacy portion of our mission focuses on building a more just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry into society. The service side of Fortune has evolved to encompass a broad range of programs that started with employment and education and now includes a robust array of services, among them: alternatives to incarceration, supervised release, court advocacy, discharge planning within correctional facilities, licensed substance use and mental health treatment, a housing continuum ranging from emergency and transitional through permanent congregate and scattered site housing, assistance in obtaining benefits, a care management unit, HIV services, a food and nutrition program, and an arts program. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 14,000 people a year. Our participant population mirrors the incarcerated population in being approximately 85% male and over 90% people of color. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally for their quality and innovation.
Position Summary:
Under the supervision of the Senior Director, Workforce Development, the Director, Employment Business Services is responsible for the supervision and oversight of the Employment Business Services team within the Education and Employment Services department. The Director will be responsible for collaborating with the Director, Workforce Development to oversee and execute all program operations, manage budgets and achieve contract deliverables.
The Director, Employment Business Services will supervise the Employment Specialist Supervisor and Program Manager. Oversight includes supervision of staff, onboarding and trainings, data and outcome/performance management, program design/refinement, relevant fiscal reporting, and contract compliance (e.g. management of wage subsidy contract).
Mission, Culture and Fit
The Director must embody the values and mission of the Fortune Society. This includes meeting our participants where they are, demonstrating our values through compassion and understanding, and affirming that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done.
Leadership
The Director will set the vision and direction for the program, ensuring it provides the necessary support and resources to empower participants to achieve success post program participation. The Director’s strong leadership will be instrumental in fostering a positive and supportive environment where participants can develop the skills and confidence, they need to build a brighter future.
Supervision
The Director must be able to communicate vision to direct reports and ensures that the team understands and strives towards defined performance goals. The Director carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding, coaching, and mentoring employees; addressing employee relations and resolving problems.
Attention to Detail
The Director must demonstrate competency to develop systems and processes to organize and keep track of information or work progress, is routinely conscientious, thorough, accurate and reliable when performing and completing job tasks; and recognizes trends, detects inconsistencies, and determines essential details.
Collaboration
The Director will work closely with their team using informed program trends to enhance program services. The Director will build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, employers, and stakeholders to expand program reach and impact.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Program Leadership
- Guide the overall strategy and execution of Education and Employment Services’ department contracts, focusing on placement and retention goals;
- Develop employer and community partnerships with local businesses that lead to employment opportunities, internship sites, and networking/collaboration opportunities;
- Supervise program components, specifically Transitional Work, Wage Subsidy, Placement and Retention areas of the work;
- Support Employment Specialist Supervisor and their team to achieve job placements and participant retention;
- Recruit, train, and onboard staff members, ensuring they are regularly trained on up to date workforce trends and employment placement strategies;
- Promote a continuous learning and adaptation culture to meet evolving program needs;
- Stay current with labor market data and leverage networks to align training and credential programming to meet current local and state workforce needs;
- Act as a primary liaison with community organizations, government agencies, and funders.
- Foster collaborative relationships to enhance program reach and impact;
- Support marketing of program for participant recruitment and marketing of partner/employer events. Collect success stories and pictures for funders and agency’s marketing personnel;
- Provide innovative program development and operational ideas and solutions for workforce programing.
Transitional Employment
- Work with the Transitional Work team to enhance and maintain paid internships and permanent employment placements for participants post-Career Development Workshop and personal development sessions;
- Support Program Manager with cultivating and building relationships with internship sites.
- Conduct quarterly site visits to internship sites, or more often as needed;
- Supervise on-the-job support from supervisors and coaches, ensuring the application of Career Development Workshop, skills in the workplace;
- Manage the integration of participants into transitional roles following the Career Development Workshop, supporting their on-the-job development with targeted coaching.
Data Management and Reporting
- Oversee data collection and analysis to assess program effectiveness and inform strategic adjustments;
- Ensure metrics, goal management and data collection on program outcomes are completed accurately using our Client Record Management system (CRM), Caseworthy;
- Ensure accurate and timely reporting to stakeholders and funders;
- Produce content for grant proposals and program reports for a variety of funders;
- Perform data analysis regularly to inform project planning and reporting.
Budget and Resources Management
- Manage program budget, coordinate staff allocations, track expenses, and maximize billing for performance-based contracts.
