Executive Director - Northwest Arkansas Regional Workforce Intermediary - StartupNWA : Job Details

Summary

With support from the Walton Family Foundation, the NWA Council is incubating a new regional intermediary workforce organization to coordinate talent development efforts and partnerships with area employers, education and training providers, and nonprofits and community-based organizations. Its mission is to align Northwest Arkansas's education-to-workforce systems with the region's economic growth and talent development needs. The new intermediary organization will serve as the hub for high-quality and data-informed pathways from education to employment—with a focus on sustainable-wage occupations and inclusive regional prosperity.

The NWA Council seeks an Executive Director to serve as the intermediary's founding leader.

A New Regional Workforce Intermediary Organization

Northwest Arkansas is experiencing dynamic growth in both its population and regional economy – spurred in large part by the development and expansion of regional businesses and industries. While the region's growth creates new and exciting opportunities, it also brings challenges, one of which is a talent gap. Employers in NWA report difficulties in finding additional qualified workers to fill new job openings. At the same time, many NWA residents do not possess the necessary skills or credentials needed for entry to or advancement in existing careers. This talent gap ultimately makes it harder for businesses to expand and for residents and communities to prosper. If left unaddressed, the talent gap will represent a long-term economic loss for both employers and communities in the region.

Beginning in December 2024, an advisory committee of NWA regional leaders and partners met to consider the needs of Northwest Arkansas' education to workforce system and identify strategies to expand access to high quality learner pathways. In May 2025, the committee submitted its final recommendation: the establishment of a formal regional intermediary organization for NWA charged with facilitating and leveraging collaboration among employers, education and training providers (K-12, postsecondary, and adult), and other community partners to support an education to workforce system that drives economic prosperity for businesses and residents.

With support from the Walton Family Foundation, the NWA Council is moving forward with the advisory committee's recommendation. It will incubate and support the launch of a workforce intermediary that can support the region's partners, providers, and communities.

Executive Director Position

The Executive Director (ED) will serve as the founding leader of the new regional workforce intermediary organization. This individual will be responsible for launching and operationalizing the organization, convening and coordinating regional partners, developing and implementing a shared vision for regional success, and ensuring long-term impact and sustainability. The ED will initially be housed at the NWA Council during the organization's incubation phase.

Primary Responsibilities

The Executive Director's primary responsibilities fall into 5 major categories:

• Develop and implement strategic vision and operational plans for the regional intermediary
• Lead cross-sector stakeholder engagement to build consensus around shared goals
• Represent the organization externally with employers, education leaders, and policymakers
• Advocate for policies that enhance pathway access, funding, and sustainability

• Build organizational infrastructure including governance, policies, and operational systems
• Recruit and manage board or advisory members, and key staff positions
• Oversee program development, implementation, and quality assurance
• Ensure compliance with legal, financial, and regulatory requirements

• Cultivate strategic relationships with regional leaders and organizations including employers, K-12 school districts, postsecondary institutions, and community partners
• Facilitate partnership agreements and coordinate collaborative initiatives
• Serve as primary liaison between education providers and regional employers
• Convene regular stakeholder meetings and collaborative planning sessions

• Secure funding from philanthropic, government, and private sector sources
• Develop and implement diversified revenue model for long-term sustainability
• Manage organizational budget and financial operations
• Track and report return on investment for all stakeholders

• Oversee design and launch of career pathway programs and work-based learning opportunities
• Establish data collection systems and performance metrics
• Monitor program outcomes and drive continuous improvement
• Ensure equitable access to opportunities across all regional populations

Candidate Qualifications

Successful candidates will possess the following qualifications.

• 10+ years progressive experience in workforce and/or development programs, education, or related fields
• Track record of leading a diverse set of stakeholders around a shared vision and building enduring partnerships
• Demonstrated success in developing and managing complex education and/or workforce projects or programs
• Experience managing multi-stakeholder initiatives and relationships, particularly in education to workforce system or program contexts
• Familiarity with education and workforce systems, funding sources (e.g., WIOA), and economic development tools
• Well-rounded interpersonal skillset, with the presence and capacity to build relationships, work effectively in teams, and engage in productive problem-solving
• Ability to travel regionally as needed

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive benefits package

About the NWA Council

For over 30 years, the Northwest Arkansas (NWA) Council has helped shape the development of the NWA region to improve livability and economic prosperity. Established by Sam Walton, Don Tyson, J.B. Hunt, and other business leaders, we are a private, nonprofit organization working to advance job opportunities, talent recruitment, physical infrastructure, health care, and quality of life. Most of the Council's more than 100 members are companies, including Walmart, Tyson Foods, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., Simmons Foods and George's, Inc.