Executive Director - Pacific Northwest Hospitality Training Program

Background

The Pacific Northwest Hospitality Training Program is looking for its inaugural Executive Director. Along with the Board of Directors, the founding Executive Director will be responsible for creating and guiding the organization by helping to develop its mission, strategic goals, and all operational structures. The Executive Director will also be responsible for developing programming and for stewarding external relationships.

The Pacific Northwest Hospitality Training Program is a newly established labor-management partnership between hospitality employers and UNITE HERE Local 8, the union for hospitality workers in the Pacific Northwest. As a Taft-Hartley Fund, the Pacific Northwest Hospitality Training Program's primary two objectives are to: (1) provide ongoing training to incumbent workers to support their career advancement and (2) train new workers and help place them in good union jobs with employer partners. The Training Fund also intends to explore the creation of a temporary staffing pool for unionized event centers.

The Training Fund’s curriculum, designed in collaboration with employers, will support employer efforts to create career pathways, thereby contributing to worker retention. The majority of the people the Training Fund will serve are people of color/immigrants and members of marginalized communities.

The UNITE HERE Education and Support Fund, which exists to support workers in the hospitality industry, is assisting the Pacific Northwest Hospitality Training Program with its executive director search.

Position Summary

The founding Executive Director will help build the organizational values and collaborate with the Board of Directors to set the strategic vision for the growth and sustainability of the Training Fund. They will oversee the implementation of this vision by managing the day-to-day operations of the organization. They will oversee the administration of training programs for entry-level and incumbent workers for the hospitality industry in the Pacific Northwest.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership

• Oversee and maintain full executive management responsibilities and leadership of the daily operations of the Pacific Northwest Hospitality Training Program, including classroom training/work experience programs, operations, human resources management, financial management, public/community relations, and program/curriculum development.
• Direct the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures and processes to support the mission of the organization and ensure continuous operations.
• Analyze operations to evaluate the performance of the organization in meeting the objectives and to determine areas of potential program improvement and policy changes.
• Ensure regulatory compliance with the highest standards of health, sanitation, and cleanliness in the training programs for food and beverage staff.
• Make presentations to the Board with respect to recommendations on program operations and budgets. Collaborate with the Board to develop and execute short-term and long-term goals.

Outreach, Communications, and Collaboration

• Ensure that the public is informed of the successes and accomplishments of the Pacific Northwest Hospitality Training Program in providing vocational and skills training to incumbent union members as well as unemployed and underemployed workers in the hospitality industry.
• Develop and maintain good working relations with The Training Fund’s employer partners, UNITE HERE Local 8 leadership, state and local government officials, community-based organizations, and the local community.
• Collaborate with UNITE HERE International Union staff on endeavors such as workforce development projects, fundraising, and data collection.

Personnel and Human Resources

• Develop human resource management policies and programs that contribute to the acquisition, retention, motivation, and development of staff capable of meeting current and future organizational needs and objectives.
• Develop and maintain a positive and ethical work environment that is conducive to attracting, retaining, and motivating a diverse group of employees at all levels.

Budget, Finance, and Compliance

• Provide leadership in the development and monitoring of budgets, profit and loss statements, and marketing strategies to produce both short-term and long-term profitability.
• Identify and pursue new funding opportunities, develop relationships with funding agencies, and oversee grant application process.

Requirements

• At least four years of experience in organizational leadership in a variety of capacities with workforce development, labor unions, community services, or related field; and a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent. At least two of the four years of organizational leadership experience must pertain to workforce development.

• Demonstrated knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, fiscal management, human resources management, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

• Success in roles requiring self-motivation, self-discipline, excellent organizational skills and the execution of multiple tasks while responding to multiple priorities.

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide array of people – junior and senior, for-profit and nonprofit, and from diverse backgrounds.

• High level of professionalism and outstanding communication and interpersonal skills along with confidence to present and defend/debate ideas without ego interfering. Proven ability to work with tact, diplomacy efficiency, and flexibility.

• Experience delivering results under time constraints and the ability to remain focused under pressure.

• Excellent computer skills, particularly MS Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

• Have a pro-worker and pro-union orientation toward workforce development and vocational training.

• Eagerness to launch a new, labor/management-led workforce development nonprofit.

Preferred Qualifications

• Spanish or Chinese verbal and written fluency.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related discipline or equivalent field experience.

• Experience working within labor-management partnerships.

• Demonstrated fundraising experience.

• Knowledge of Seattle’s political and community organizational structures and organizations.

• Understanding of the regional labor market and a clear analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing unemployed and underemployed individuals in the hospitality industry.

Benefits

Annual Salary: $100,000 - $125,000 depending on experience.

Benefits: 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for the employee and their dependents; retirement benefits; and generous paid time off.

Interested candidates should submit their resumes and cover letters. Only complete applications (resume and cover letter) will be considered.

Pacific Northwest Hospitality Training Program is an equal opportunity employer and gives equal consideration to all applicants without regard to sex, age, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.