Job Openings

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• 401(k) matching
• Paid time off
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Flexible schedule

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The Manager of Workforce Strategy and Innovation plays a key leadership role in advancing innovative, high-impact workforce initiatives across Northwest Wisconsin. This position leads the design, implementation, and performance of Fast Forward programs, ROBUST initiatives, and other innovation-driven training and talent pipeline strategies that respond to regional labor market needs. Working closely with the CEO, staff, employers, education partners, and state agencies, the Manager ensures programs are aligned with industry demand, funding requirements, and equitable access for underserved populations.

The Manager serves as a primary convener and project lead for special initiatives, pilot programs, and sector-based strategies, translating innovation into scalable, sustainable workforce solutions. Frequent travel across the ten-county region is required.

Duties and Responsibilities include but not limited to the following:

Program Leadership and Innovation:

· Lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation of Wisconsin Fast Forward, ROBUST, and other innovation-focused workforce programs.

· Serve as project manager for special initiatives, ensuring performance benchmarks, deliverables, and fiscal requirements are met or exceeded.

· Identify emerging workforce trends, priority industries, and innovative training models to strengthen regional talent pipelines.

· Collaborate with the NWWIB CEO to design and launch pilot programs and scalable workforce solutions.

· Manage quality assurance standards to maintain high levels of customer satisfaction within all service areas.

Partnership & Sector Engagement

• Act as primary liaison with employers, industry associations, technical colleges, K–12 partners, community organizations, and state agencies.
• Convene employers and partners to design demand-driven training, work-based learning, and career pathway initiatives.
• Support employer engagement strategies aligned with business services, sector partnerships, and talent attraction efforts.
• Participate in the regional business services team and rapid response team.

Performance, Data & Compliance

• Monitor program outcomes, performance metrics, and compliance with federal, state, and grant-specific requirements.
• Ensure accurate and timely data entry, reporting, and documentation for all assigned programs.
• Use data and participant feedback to drive continuous improvement and innovation.

Grants & Resource Development

• Assist with identifying funding opportunities, grant development, budgeting, and reporting related to innovation and sector initiatives.
• Support sustainability planning by braiding funding and aligning programs with long-term workforce strategies.

Internal Collaboration

• Coach and support staff on industry trends, career pathways, and innovation practices.
• Work collaboratively with NWWIB staff and attend leadership and team meetings as required.

Location & Commitments

Our administrative office is in Ashland, WI. It is expected that this position will have a flexible work schedule with the to work remotely with requirement of on-site days to be determined by the position’s supervisor. Additional days in the office or travel may be necessary on an as-needed basis.

Candidate Requirements

There are innumerable ways to learn, grow, and excel professionally. We respect this when we review applications and take a broad look at the experience of each applicant. We want to get to know you and the unique strengths you will bring to the work. We are most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate most of the qualifications and experiences listed below:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent credentials and experience.
• Experience supporting a team that is working towards specific goals
• Knowledge of federal and state workforce development programs and policy
• Experience working with boards, councils, committees, and other public decision-making bodies.
• Experience working with the community, public, and non-profit organizations and all levels of government.
• Ability to relate effectively with people with a high level of integrity
• Ability to identify problems and independently collect, logically organize and analyze information and/or data in order to make appropriate decisions or recommendations
• Ability to efficiently and effectively coordinate multiple activities and/or the work of others and achieve appropriate results
• Ability to work as a constructive member of a team
• Ability to quickly, effectively, and continually adapt to changes in work duties, processes, and technologies.
• Proficient in Windows and Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to compose detailed correspondence and routine reports in a clear, concise, logical, and effective manner while utilizing proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure and tone
• Ability to organize and appropriately prioritize work and complete all work accurately and in a timely fashion
• Strong attention to detail
• Valid Driver’s License

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume to Mari Kay-Nabozny (mari@nwwib.com) and fill out the online application HERE.

Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. If you have a disability and need assistance with this information, please call us through Wisconsin Relay Service (7-1-1) or at 800-947-3529. To request information in an alternate format, including language assistance or translation of the information, please contact us at (715)-685-1425

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