Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Southwest Allen County Schools, Fort Wayne, IN, United States
12-Month Administrative Position (260 day contract)
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Reports To:
Superintendent or Designee
Salary Range:
$110,000 - $135,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications
Position Summary The Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) serves as the district's lead strategist for career readiness, workforce alignment, and industry partnerships. This position bridges education and business, ensuring students graduate with industry-relevant skills, credentials, and real-world experiences aligned to regional workforce needs. The Director provides executive leadership for existing CTE programming, ensures compliance with state and federal requirements, leads development of the district's new CTE Center, and builds strong partnerships across schools, industries, and neighboring districts to expand opportunities for students.
Essential Responsibilities Strategic Workforce & Industry Leadership
Serve as the district's primary liaison to business, industry, workforce boards, and economic development partners.
Develop and sustain strategic partnerships with local employers to align programming with high-wage, high-demand careers.
Expand work-based learning, internships, apprenticeships, and industry credential pathways.
Explore and develop collaborative CTE partnerships with neighboring school districts to expand access and strengthen regional workforce initiatives.
Monitor labor market trends and translate workforce data into program recommendations.
Program Leadership & Continuous Improvement
Conduct a comprehensive review of existing CTE programs and recommend improvements related to compliance, instructional quality, and best practices.
Provide leadership and oversight to CTE staff to elevate programming and student outcomes.
Collaborate closely with Homestead High School leadership, counselors, and instructional staff to ensure alignment of CTE programming with student needs, master scheduling, and school improvement efforts.
Lead industry advisory councils and support equitable student access to CTE pathways.
Develop multi-year strategic plans to strengthen and expand programming.
CTE Center Development & Implementation
Lead planning and development of the district's new CTE Center.
Collaborate with architects, contractors, district leaders, and industry partners to ensure facilities support high-quality, industry-aligned programming.
Make recommendations regarding program offerings, equipment, lab design, safety standards, and operational readiness.
Develop implementation plans to ensure a fully functioning and sustainable center upon opening.
Assist in the recruitment, selection, and onboarding of CTE instructional and support staff to ensure strong program launch and long-term success.
Compliance, Budget & Grant Oversight
Ensure full compliance with local, state, and federal CTE mandates, including Indiana CTE standards and Perkins V requirements.
Oversee required reporting, credential tracking, and program data systems.
Develop and manage CTE budgets, including federal, state, and local funds.
Lead Perkins V grant application, implementation, and monitoring processes.
Identify, pursue, and support the writing of additional local, state, federal, and private grants to expand and sustain CTE programming.
Leadership & Reporting
Supervise and evaluate CTE personnel.
Provide regular strategic updates and recommendations to district leadership and the School Board.
Support long-term sustainability and growth of CTE programming.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Building Principal consistent with the purpose of the position.
Qualifications Required:
Master's Degree in Educational Leadership, Career & Technical Education, Business, or related field.
Valid District Level Administrator: Director of Career and Technical Education license (or ability to obtain).
Experience in CTE leadership, workforce development, or program administration.
Knowledge of Indiana CTE standards and Perkins V regulations.
Preferred
Demonstrated success building industry partnerships.
Experience launching or expanding programs or facilities.
Ability to operate effectively in both educational and business environments.
This is a senior leadership role requiring strategic vision, strong relationship-building skills, regulatory expertise, and the ability to translate workforce needs into high-quality educational programming.
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FLSA Status:
Exempt
Reports To:
Superintendent or Designee
Salary Range:
$110,000 - $135,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications
Position Summary The Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) serves as the district's lead strategist for career readiness, workforce alignment, and industry partnerships. This position bridges education and business, ensuring students graduate with industry-relevant skills, credentials, and real-world experiences aligned to regional workforce needs. The Director provides executive leadership for existing CTE programming, ensures compliance with state and federal requirements, leads development of the district's new CTE Center, and builds strong partnerships across schools, industries, and neighboring districts to expand opportunities for students.
Essential Responsibilities Strategic Workforce & Industry Leadership
Serve as the district's primary liaison to business, industry, workforce boards, and economic development partners.
Develop and sustain strategic partnerships with local employers to align programming with high-wage, high-demand careers.
Expand work-based learning, internships, apprenticeships, and industry credential pathways.
Explore and develop collaborative CTE partnerships with neighboring school districts to expand access and strengthen regional workforce initiatives.
Monitor labor market trends and translate workforce data into program recommendations.
Program Leadership & Continuous Improvement
Conduct a comprehensive review of existing CTE programs and recommend improvements related to compliance, instructional quality, and best practices.
Provide leadership and oversight to CTE staff to elevate programming and student outcomes.
Collaborate closely with Homestead High School leadership, counselors, and instructional staff to ensure alignment of CTE programming with student needs, master scheduling, and school improvement efforts.
Lead industry advisory councils and support equitable student access to CTE pathways.
Develop multi-year strategic plans to strengthen and expand programming.
CTE Center Development & Implementation
Lead planning and development of the district's new CTE Center.
Collaborate with architects, contractors, district leaders, and industry partners to ensure facilities support high-quality, industry-aligned programming.
Make recommendations regarding program offerings, equipment, lab design, safety standards, and operational readiness.
Develop implementation plans to ensure a fully functioning and sustainable center upon opening.
Assist in the recruitment, selection, and onboarding of CTE instructional and support staff to ensure strong program launch and long-term success.
Compliance, Budget & Grant Oversight
Ensure full compliance with local, state, and federal CTE mandates, including Indiana CTE standards and Perkins V requirements.
Oversee required reporting, credential tracking, and program data systems.
Develop and manage CTE budgets, including federal, state, and local funds.
Lead Perkins V grant application, implementation, and monitoring processes.
Identify, pursue, and support the writing of additional local, state, federal, and private grants to expand and sustain CTE programming.
Leadership & Reporting
Supervise and evaluate CTE personnel.
Provide regular strategic updates and recommendations to district leadership and the School Board.
Support long-term sustainability and growth of CTE programming.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Building Principal consistent with the purpose of the position.
Qualifications Required:
Master's Degree in Educational Leadership, Career & Technical Education, Business, or related field.
Valid District Level Administrator: Director of Career and Technical Education license (or ability to obtain).
Experience in CTE leadership, workforce development, or program administration.
Knowledge of Indiana CTE standards and Perkins V regulations.
Preferred
Demonstrated success building industry partnerships.
Experience launching or expanding programs or facilities.
Ability to operate effectively in both educational and business environments.
This is a senior leadership role requiring strategic vision, strong relationship-building skills, regulatory expertise, and the ability to translate workforce needs into high-quality educational programming.
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