AFL-CIO Tech Institute
Working for America Executive Director
AFL-CIO Tech Institute, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
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Working for America Executive Director
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AFL-CIO Tech Institute
Overview For more than 55 years, the AFL-CIO Working for America Institute (WAI) has served as the nonprofit workforce development and economic mobility arm of the AFL-CIO. WAI is a mission-driven 501(c)(3) organization operating at the intersection of the labor movement, workforce development, and economic policy. We advance innovative workforce strategies that strengthen worker voice, support union growth, and build resilient communities, with a focus on growth into other non-construction sectors. Our work includes design and implementation of apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and training programs; technical assistance to labor and workforce partners; and collaboration with national, state, and local stakeholders to respond to economic and technological change.
As technologies like artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and automation evolve, WAI aims to ensure these changes translate into good union jobs and real economic mobility. A core priority is supporting the AFL-CIO’s leadership in shaping how emerging technologies are deployed to protect workers, expand opportunity, and strengthen unions.
Position WAI is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and hands-on Executive Director to lead the organization through its next chapter of growth, sustainability, and impact. The Executive Director will strengthen WAI’s position within the labor movement, expand its programmatic and fundraising capacity, and elevate its national profile as a trusted workforce intermediary.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership: Provide overall vision, strategy, and leadership for WAI in alignment with its mission, history, and values.
Strategic Partnerships: Strengthen WAI’s role as the workforce development arm of the AFL-CIO, working with AFL-CIO officers, departments, councils, state federations, central labor councils, and affiliated unions.
Technology & AI focus: Advance WAI’s role in supporting the AFL-CIO’s priorities around advanced technology and artificial intelligence, including worker training, upskilling, and strategies to address technological displacement.
Opportunity Identification: Identify emerging opportunities in AI, robotics, and evolving sectors, translating them into actionable programs, apprenticeship models, and partnerships that align with labor movement priorities.
Governance & Communication: Report to and work closely with the AFL-CIO Board of Directors, ensuring regular communication, transparency, and strategic alignment.
Fundraising & Resource Development: Lead and significantly expand private-sector fundraising with national and regional foundations and philanthropic partners.
Grants & Compliance: Oversee public-sector funding strategies (federal, state, local) and ensure compliance with grant requirements.
Value Proposition: Articulate WAI’s value to funders by linking workforce development, apprenticeship, and training to economic mobility, community stability, and worker voice.
Partnership Development: Identify opportunities to partner with local workforce development nonprofits as part of larger grants.
Programmatic & Operational Leadership: Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of workforce development, apprenticeship, and training initiatives.
Financial Stewardship: Ensure strong financial management, including budgeting, grant oversight, and nonprofit accounting principles.
People & Culture: Supervise and develop a growing team of staff, consultants, and partners, fostering a collaborative, mission-driven culture.
Operations: Strengthen internal systems and operations to support growth and sustainability.
External Relations & Communications: Serve as WAI’s primary external spokesperson and representative in national labor, workforce development, and policy conversations, including AI and the future of work.
Relationship Building: Build and maintain relationships with unions, workforce intermediaries, community partners, employers, policymakers, and peer organizations.
Thought Leadership: Elevate WAI’s visibility through reports, briefings, convenings, and leadership on workforce issues.
Ideal Candidate Profile & Qualifications The ideal Executive Director is a seasoned leader who combines deep labor movement knowledge with the ability to run a small, entrepreneurial nonprofit, and who is energized by helping workers and unions navigate rapid technological change. This individual is strategic and tactical—a “doer” who can operate in a complex environment while advancing new ideas.
Deep union and labor movement fluency, including understanding of how unions operate and engage partners.
Credibility and relationship-building skills across the labor movement, philanthropic community, and AFL-CIO leadership.
Fundraising leadership with success securing funding from private foundations and public sources.
Workforce development and apprenticeship experience, including partnerships with unions and community organizations, with exposure to AI-enabled technologies or related fields.
Strong management and operational acumen, including budgeting and nonprofit finances.
Collaborative leadership style, organized, calm, and effective; strong coordination with AFL-CIO Tech Institute and partners.
Exceptional communication skills across diverse audiences.
Above all, the ideal candidate is energized by WAI’s mission, respectful of its history, and excited to shape the future of workforce development within the labor movement in the United States.
Qualifications
Ten or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in nonprofit, public, or related sectors
Proven success in organizational management, fundraising, and external relations, including experience with a board and leading through growth
Deep familiarity with the U.S. labor movement
Experience designing and implementing workforce development programs and policy initiatives
Ability to lead, inspire, and develop diverse teams toward shared goals
Strong financial and operational acumen with budget and project management experience
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and collaborative culture
Compensation & Benefits The salary range for this position is $175,000–$200,000, commensurate with experience. WAI offers a comprehensive benefits package, including employer-paid health, dental, and vision coverage; generous leave and paid time off; a retirement/pension plan and 401(k) match; and a hybrid work schedule with up to two days per week remote.
The AFL-CIO Working for America Institute is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, physical ability, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin. We welcome a diverse pool of applications and are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Process & Timeline Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and the position is open until filled. Candidates who advance in the process can anticipate the following steps:
Initial Screening Interview via Zoom with Director of Operations and Finance
Panel 1 Interview via Zoom with the Staff Search Committee
Panel 2 Interview in person with Board of Directors
Reference Checks
Ideal start date is March 1, 2026
How to Apply
A cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications for the role
Your resume/CV
Three professional references
Should you have any questions about the role or need reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact cbieber@workingforamerica.org.
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Working for America Executive Director
role at
AFL-CIO Tech Institute
Overview For more than 55 years, the AFL-CIO Working for America Institute (WAI) has served as the nonprofit workforce development and economic mobility arm of the AFL-CIO. WAI is a mission-driven 501(c)(3) organization operating at the intersection of the labor movement, workforce development, and economic policy. We advance innovative workforce strategies that strengthen worker voice, support union growth, and build resilient communities, with a focus on growth into other non-construction sectors. Our work includes design and implementation of apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and training programs; technical assistance to labor and workforce partners; and collaboration with national, state, and local stakeholders to respond to economic and technological change.
As technologies like artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and automation evolve, WAI aims to ensure these changes translate into good union jobs and real economic mobility. A core priority is supporting the AFL-CIO’s leadership in shaping how emerging technologies are deployed to protect workers, expand opportunity, and strengthen unions.
Position WAI is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and hands-on Executive Director to lead the organization through its next chapter of growth, sustainability, and impact. The Executive Director will strengthen WAI’s position within the labor movement, expand its programmatic and fundraising capacity, and elevate its national profile as a trusted workforce intermediary.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership: Provide overall vision, strategy, and leadership for WAI in alignment with its mission, history, and values.
Strategic Partnerships: Strengthen WAI’s role as the workforce development arm of the AFL-CIO, working with AFL-CIO officers, departments, councils, state federations, central labor councils, and affiliated unions.
Technology & AI focus: Advance WAI’s role in supporting the AFL-CIO’s priorities around advanced technology and artificial intelligence, including worker training, upskilling, and strategies to address technological displacement.
Opportunity Identification: Identify emerging opportunities in AI, robotics, and evolving sectors, translating them into actionable programs, apprenticeship models, and partnerships that align with labor movement priorities.
Governance & Communication: Report to and work closely with the AFL-CIO Board of Directors, ensuring regular communication, transparency, and strategic alignment.
Fundraising & Resource Development: Lead and significantly expand private-sector fundraising with national and regional foundations and philanthropic partners.
Grants & Compliance: Oversee public-sector funding strategies (federal, state, local) and ensure compliance with grant requirements.
Value Proposition: Articulate WAI’s value to funders by linking workforce development, apprenticeship, and training to economic mobility, community stability, and worker voice.
Partnership Development: Identify opportunities to partner with local workforce development nonprofits as part of larger grants.
Programmatic & Operational Leadership: Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of workforce development, apprenticeship, and training initiatives.
Financial Stewardship: Ensure strong financial management, including budgeting, grant oversight, and nonprofit accounting principles.
People & Culture: Supervise and develop a growing team of staff, consultants, and partners, fostering a collaborative, mission-driven culture.
Operations: Strengthen internal systems and operations to support growth and sustainability.
External Relations & Communications: Serve as WAI’s primary external spokesperson and representative in national labor, workforce development, and policy conversations, including AI and the future of work.
Relationship Building: Build and maintain relationships with unions, workforce intermediaries, community partners, employers, policymakers, and peer organizations.
Thought Leadership: Elevate WAI’s visibility through reports, briefings, convenings, and leadership on workforce issues.
Ideal Candidate Profile & Qualifications The ideal Executive Director is a seasoned leader who combines deep labor movement knowledge with the ability to run a small, entrepreneurial nonprofit, and who is energized by helping workers and unions navigate rapid technological change. This individual is strategic and tactical—a “doer” who can operate in a complex environment while advancing new ideas.
Deep union and labor movement fluency, including understanding of how unions operate and engage partners.
Credibility and relationship-building skills across the labor movement, philanthropic community, and AFL-CIO leadership.
Fundraising leadership with success securing funding from private foundations and public sources.
Workforce development and apprenticeship experience, including partnerships with unions and community organizations, with exposure to AI-enabled technologies or related fields.
Strong management and operational acumen, including budgeting and nonprofit finances.
Collaborative leadership style, organized, calm, and effective; strong coordination with AFL-CIO Tech Institute and partners.
Exceptional communication skills across diverse audiences.
Above all, the ideal candidate is energized by WAI’s mission, respectful of its history, and excited to shape the future of workforce development within the labor movement in the United States.
Qualifications
Ten or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in nonprofit, public, or related sectors
Proven success in organizational management, fundraising, and external relations, including experience with a board and leading through growth
Deep familiarity with the U.S. labor movement
Experience designing and implementing workforce development programs and policy initiatives
Ability to lead, inspire, and develop diverse teams toward shared goals
Strong financial and operational acumen with budget and project management experience
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and collaborative culture
Compensation & Benefits The salary range for this position is $175,000–$200,000, commensurate with experience. WAI offers a comprehensive benefits package, including employer-paid health, dental, and vision coverage; generous leave and paid time off; a retirement/pension plan and 401(k) match; and a hybrid work schedule with up to two days per week remote.
The AFL-CIO Working for America Institute is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, physical ability, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin. We welcome a diverse pool of applications and are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Process & Timeline Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and the position is open until filled. Candidates who advance in the process can anticipate the following steps:
Initial Screening Interview via Zoom with Director of Operations and Finance
Panel 1 Interview via Zoom with the Staff Search Committee
Panel 2 Interview in person with Board of Directors
Reference Checks
Ideal start date is March 1, 2026
How to Apply
A cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications for the role
Your resume/CV
Three professional references
Should you have any questions about the role or need reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact cbieber@workingforamerica.org.
#J-18808-Ljbffr