Gwynedd Mercy University · 11 hours ago
Exe. Dir. Workforce Development&Innovation
Gwynedd Valley, PA, US
Full-time
Onsite
Director/ExecutiveGwynedd Mercy University is seeking an experienced and innovative academic leader to fill the inaugural role of Executive Director for Workforce Development and Innovation. This role involves leading cross-functional initiatives to advance the university's strategic goals, drive enrollment growth, and develop innovative academic partnerships.
EducationHigher EducationUniversities
Responsibilities
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
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
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
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
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
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
Qualification
Required
Master's degree, or higher, in Business, Innovation or a related field from an accredited college or university required
Non-traditional backgrounds welcomed, including those who've led innovation labs, built successful startups, or driven growth in corporate learning environments
A deep understanding of higher education trends, academic program development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovative growth strategies
Demonstrated success in launching and scaling revenue-generating programs or ventures
Experience working across sectors such as higher education, corporate, nonprofit to build partnerships and secure funding
Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
Ability to think strategically and manage complex projects
Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to adapt and innovate in a changing academic environment
Familiarity with accreditation processes, curriculum development, and shared governance
Preferred
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
Company
Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Mercy University is a school in Gwynedd Valley.
Founded in 1948
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$10MKey Investors
Maguire Foundation
2022-05-04Grant· $10M
Leadership Team
Jim Trusdell
Chief Operating Officer
Recent News
2025-09-25
The Philadelphia Inquirer
2025-09-01
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