BUSINESS & WORKFORCE DIRECTOR - 77257

Executive Service

This position is designated as Hybrid Work from Home and in Office.

For more information, visit the link below:
https://www.tn.gov/workforce/careers.html

Who we are and what we do:

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development is a state agency established to promote workforce development and improve workplace safety and health throughout the state.

How you make a difference in this role:

This best candidate will demonstrate and have skill application in strategic vision & Industry Insight, economic development alignment, relationship leadership, data-driven decision making and executive presence & professionalism.

Job Overview:

The executive-level Business & Workforce Director will lead employer engagement and workforce strategy across key industries, including a significant emphasis on nuclear energy, advanced nuclear technologies, and related supply chains. The Director will connect industry, government, and workforce systems to advance the Commissioners vision and develop data-driven workforce solutions that strengthen talent pipelines, meet industry needs, align with economic development priorities, and support Tennessees long-term economic growth.

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead regional workforce strategy for nuclear energy and nuclear-related economic development projects.

2. Build strategic partnerships with nuclear utilities, advanced reactor developers, federal contractors, engineering firms, and nuclear supply chain manufacturers.

3. Support workforce planning for new generation, plant expansions, advanced technologies, and related capital investments.

4. Partner with TNECD, TVA, local economic development organizations, and site selection consultants to deliver workforce intelligence and customized talent solutions.

5.Coordinate rapid-response workforce strategies for major nuclear investment projects.

6. Collaborate with higher education, TCATs, apprenticeship programs, and industry partners to strengthen nuclear talent pipelines.

7. Anticipate and mitigate long-term workforce risks including retirements, credentialing barriers, and specialized skill shortages.

8. Serve as workforce liaison for regional recruitment, expansion, and retention projects.

9. Provide labor market analytics, wage data, and workforce availability assessments to support competitive proposals.

10. Align workforce funding, training programs, and incentives with economic development strategies.

11. Support sector-based strategies positioning Tennessee as a national leader in nuclear energy and advanced industry growth.

12. Serve as primary relationship manager for regional employers.

13. Conduct consultative site visits and deliver customized workforce solutions.

14. Coordinate service delivery with LWDBs, American Job Centers, Apprenticeship, Adult Education, Veterans, and Reentry programs.

15. Manage employer pipeline and performance metrics through CRM systems.

16. Meet or exceed established employer engagement, training, and placement goals.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university.

• Demonstrated knowledge of nuclear energy, nuclear supply chain, or energy-related industries.

• Experience supporting economic development recruitment or large-scale capital investment projects.

• Strong understanding of workforce development strategies tied to high-skill, high-wage industries.

• Ability to analyze labor market data and translate findings into actionable strategy.

• Executive-level communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State's policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person's race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.