Associate Director, Workforce Innovation & Policy

Who We Are

The Manufacturing Institute (MI) is the workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). With a mission to build, diversify, and strengthen the manufacturing workforce, MI supports individual opportunity, community prosperity, and a competitive future for the industry. Through skilled training programs, community building, and career growth, MI’s diverse initiatives support all American workers, including emerging workers, women, veterans, and students. As the 501(c)3 nonprofit workforce development and education affiliate of NAM, MI equips manufacturers with essential resources to address the industry’s challenges. The Workforce Innovation team curates solutions to help manufacturers recruit and retain a skilled, diverse workforce through forums, convenings, and direct program delivery. You’ll be joining this innovative team.

About the Workforce Innovation Team

Workforce Innovation is a team of entrepreneurial problem-solvers designing programs and creating partnerships to attract and prepare tomorrow’s manufacturing workforce while upskilling today’s. Our portfolio includes workforce and education policy, student engagement, second chance hiring, supporting federal award recipients (such as the Good Jobs Challenge), earn-and-learn programs like FAME (Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education), third-party credentialing, and other workforce solutions. As part of the larger MI organization, our mission is to close the skills gap, and excite, educate, and empower today’s and tomorrow’s workforce. We’re looking for someone passionate and ready to contribute to our workforce solutions, focused on task execution, program deliverables, and goal achievement.

Joining MI means becoming part of a motivated and dynamic team driven to succeed. We offer competitive pay, annual performance-based bonuses, and an outstanding benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, SmarTrip, and a 401(k) plan with employer match and contributions. Benefits also include vacation and sick leave, access to an on-site gym, and healthy snacks in the break room. We value in-person collaboration and require in-office presence at least three times per week. Our Washington, DC office is conveniently located near Gallery Place and Metro Center.

Position Overview

The Manufacturing Institute (MI) seeks an Associate Director of Workforce Innovation & Policy to join our Workforce Innovation team. This individual will serve as a primary point of contact for partnerships and stakeholders across the country, supporting new and existing initiatives with various systems, tools, and resources. In this role, you will lead the planning and execution of convenings, webinars, and conferences, collaborating and communicating effectively with partners, including employers, non-profits, educational institutions, and government agencies.

Responsibilities

• Lead execution of key deliverables for stakeholders and partners across the Workforce Innovation team’s project portfolio.
• Develop reports, collateral, toolkits, and social media content as needed.
• Drive collaboration with other programs under the MI Workforce Innovation portfolio, including badging, credentialing, and skills-based hiring initiatives.
• Build and maintain relationships with key policymakers and stakeholders, monitor legislative and regulatory developments, and develop advocacy strategies aligned with manufacturing sector needs.

This description outlines the primary responsibilities of the position but may not cover all tasks associated with the role.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Ideal Candidate Profile

We are looking for team players who meet the following criteria:

• Experience in workforce development and familiarity with federal government operations (legislative or executive branches).
• Bachelor’s degree, ideally in a related field.
• Five to seven years of work history, ideally including experience in:
  • Education and workforce development policy
  • Industry training model development
  • Industry sector partnership development
• Interest in and understanding of the political landscape, policy processes, education and workforce policy issues, and advocacy strategies.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage workload under pressure in a hybrid, fast-paced environment.
• A willingness to learn new skills, tools, and processes to support a variety of projects and stakeholders.
• A “continuous improvement” mindset focused on learning and enhancing work processes.

Key Skills and Requirements

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; relationship-building is essential.
• Proficiency in Microsoft productivity tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and experience with SharePoint, Teams, and Outlook.
• Ability and desire to learn various web-based applications.
• Flexibility for travel, typically 1-2 overnight trips per month.
• A team-oriented attitude with a customer service focus; our work is informed by and for our customers, and our success is collective.

Reasonable Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations may be provided for individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform essential job functions.

Compensation

• Salary Range: $75,000 – $98,000 annually. This range represents an estimate of the lowest and highest salaries for this position, with the final salary based on qualifications and experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Manufacturing Institute is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer, committed to inclusion and diversity. We welcome and celebrate everyone’s uniqueness, providing equal opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, political views, or other legally protected characteristics.

We also welcome applicants with conviction histories, consistent with applicable law. The MI believes in second chances and is committed to equal opportunities for all who have the qualifications, talent, and passion to succeed in this role.

The MI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in the application process. For assistance, contact us at [email protected].

About the National Association of Manufacturers

The NAM is the largest manufacturing association in the United States and one of the nation’s most influential advocates for the industry. By joining the MI, you become part of a dynamic team driven to keep the U.S. at the forefront of global manufacturing. We offer competitive pay, performance-based bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, and a 401(k) plan with employer match and contributions, as well as paid vacation and sick leave.

Get Involved. Make an Impact. Join the MI Team.