Rodel is a nonprofit organization that partners with Delawareans and educational innovators from around the world to transform public education in the First State. Public education is a complex, interconnected ecosystem and large-scale improvements require broad coalitions to work together, over time, but when it happens, it changes everything. Life outcomes, community health, civil discourse as well as the environment and economy are all directly affected by the strength of our education system.
One of the fastest growing sectors in Delaware is the tech industry. As part of its commitment to supporting education and opportunity in Delaware, Rodel is incubating the Delaware IT Industry Council (Delaware ITIC). The Delaware ITIC will partner with industry and education to find the needed talent and to strengthen the connections among companies and new pools of talent. The organization’s core priorities are to build a strong tech ecosystem, ensure an inclusive talent pipeline, and foster collaboration between talent providers and employers. The organization will serve as a liaison between business and education leaders to find and develop the diverse pools of talent required for this growing sector.
To date, Rodel has contributed and raised funds from corporations and government entities to operate the Delaware ITIC for its first three years. After its incubation period, the organization will grow to become a fully independent entity. For more information on the need and vision for the Delaware ITIC, please visit the Rodel website here.
ABOUT THE POSITION:
As the first Executive Director for the Delaware ITIC, the Executive Director will provide the entrepreneurial vision and requisite leadership to ensure that Delaware can match employers with the increased IT talent pool required. The Executive Director will work to achieve this vision by serving as the leader of an independent LLC, implementing public-private partnerships focused on public education and workforce development in Delaware. The core focus will be on program development, membership cultivation, and launching a new organization. The incoming Executive Director will be tasked not only with increasing the IT talent pool, but also ensuring that communities historically underrepresented in the tech space (e.g. people of color and women) are deeply engaged, included, and supported through intentional programming.
This is an ideal opportunity for an entrepreneurial leader with deep understanding of how to build talent pipelines to have a transformational impact on the state of Delaware and its workforce. During its incubation period, the Executive Director will report directly to the Advisory Board and Rodel’s President and CEO. Additionally, the Executive Director will be supported by Rodel’s team to ensure the IT Industry Council’s early operational, administrative, and communications needs are met.
Key Responsibilities:
Engaging Employers and Securing Resources
- Build lasting relationships with a broad spectrum of tech employers and training providers across the state, including companies in financial services, insurance, manufacturing, and health as well as social services and government entities.
- Raise funding to support the organization by putting a membership model in place if appropriate and/or securing philanthropic and public sector funding
Understanding Employers’ Demand and Requirements for IT Talent
- Help employers analyze existing and project future needs for IT talent
- Deeply understand the gaps in IT talent hiring across Delaware by industry and geography
- Connect the dots among employers and talent providers such that the tech ecosystem is vibrant and strong
- Ensure Delaware IT talent demands are informed by national and international trends and practices
Expanding the Supply of Delaware IT Talent Pools
- Build relationships with community, government, higher education, K12, and nonprofit stakeholders who understand and are working to expand more inclusive IT talent pools
- Identify priorities and partnerships for the Delaware ITIC to focus on and set goals for each priority to meet in the medium and long-term
- Create programming and resources to address key needs such as developing IT apprenticeships and mentoring as well as expanding participation of key populations such as people of color, women, veterans, those with learning differences, and youth
- Coordinate with state and national partners to increase Delaware’s national reputation as an emerging tech hub.
Operating an Organization
- Make regular and meaningful updates to the Advisory Board and leverage them to meet the organization’s goals
- Control budgets and spending, meet all financial and legal requirements
- Put management dashboards in place and use them to drive decision-making and reporting
- Recruit and manage a small founding team for the Delaware ITIC and grow this team over time with administrative support and collaboration from Rodel
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:
- A passion for the goals of the organization, specifically the role IT and workforce development can play in the advancement of Delaware and its people
- Deep understanding of workforce development and/or talent pipeline development in the private, public, or nonprofit sectors
- A strong understanding of talent needs and best practices in hiring
- Experience in start-ups and launching new initiatives, with the appetite and ability to fundraise, build and scale
- Ability to influence others and build relationships with stakeholders across sectors
- Strong decision-making and leadership skills
- A deep demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Ability to plan, establish clarity, and drive action when faced with ambiguity
- Excellent listening and communication skills, including ability to present and facilitate groups
- Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple priorities and a high level of responsibility
- Experience in corporate or nonprofit management, IT, and/or consulting is preferred, but not required
- Familiarity with the Delaware IT landscape is a plus, but not required
- At least 5-10 years of experience coordinating and managing complex projects is required
- While the Delaware ITIC is open to candidates with a wide range of academic and work backgrounds as well as learning styles, a Bachelor’s Degree is required. Preference may be given to candidates with a graduate degree in nonprofit management, business administration, or public policy, or work towards one of those degrees
LOCATION: Wilmington, DE
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO APPLY
Rodel is an equal opportunity employer, offering a competitive salary and benefits package. We also provide customized support and professional development to advance your skillset. For further information on Rodel, please visit us at www.RodelDE.org
