ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
The Youth Workforce Development Foundation (YWDF) is a non-profit organization changing the landscape of workforce development in the skilled trades. Found in 1993, this 501c(3) drives economic growth by advancing workforce development initiatives that lead directly to employment—through targeted education, on-the-job training, and collaboration between employers and young people nationwide.
By supporting student member associations that prepare young people for meaningful careers in the skilled trades, providing transition support services that expose young people to a variety of career opportunities, and working directly with employers and unions currently facing skilled labor gaps, YWDF is taking a new approach at tackling some of the industry’s age-old challenges.
ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES
Innovation through collaboration. We believe in breaking siloes – bringing educators, employers, and young people together to reimagine the future of the work.
Dignity in the work. We know trades workers don’t just build things – they build lives, families, and futures. We celebrate the people who shape our economy with their hands, heart, and hard-earned skills.
Equity in opportunity. When everyone gets a fair shot at meaningful work, it strengthens our families, communities, and economy – equity isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s a smart investment in our collective future.
Education as empowerment. We view education – formal, informal, and experiential – as the foundation for individual and community prosperity.
Learning by doing. We believe in the value of on-the-job-learning – for young people, and ourselves.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Research and Curriculum Design plays a critical leadership role at YWDF, driving both the development of hands-on, standards-aligned career competition materials and the organization’s strategic workforce insights. This role transforms National Technical Standards across 100+ industries into dynamic testing tools and competition formats that reflect real-world skills—such as welding, carpentry, or healthcare—for youth participating in career and technical education (CTE) programs. In addition, the Director conducts labor market research to identify emerging workforce trends, providing data-driven recommendations that guide the organization’s future programming and partnerships. The role also leads industry and educator advisory groups, oversees competition evaluation and continuous improvement efforts, designs professional development resources for educators and judges, and ensures all materials are developed with an equity and inclusion lens to expand access and relevance for all learners.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, LICENSE, OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree in Education, Curriculum Development, Workforce Development, Industrial/Technical Education, or a related field required; Master’s degree strongly preferred OR ability to demonstrate equivalent industry experience
5–7 years of experience in curriculum design, instructional development, or career and technical education (CTE), with a focus on skills-based or competency-based learning.
Demonstrated experience translating industry standards into instructional or assessment materials, ideally for youth or workforce competitions.
Proven track record in labor market research, workforce trend analysis, or program evaluation.
Experience collaborating with industry stakeholders, CTE educators, and advisory groups to validate content or inform strategic decisions.
Strong understanding of National Career Clusters Framework, industry-recognized credentials, or CTE standards.
Experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in curriculum and program design.
Excellent written, visual, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex data or technical content in accessible ways.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB
As a newly established leadership role, the Director of Research and Curriculum Design will play a central part in shaping YWDF’s long-term strategy and frontline programming. This position is responsible for designing and developing high-quality, standards-based testing materials and competition frameworks aligned to National Technical Standards across more than 100 industries. By translating complex technical skills—such as those in welding, healthcare, or IT—into engaging and youth-appropriate competition formats, the Director will ensure programming remains both relevant to industry and accessible to young participants. This includes the development of detailed scoring rubrics, evaluation criteria, and assessment tools that drive consistency and rigor across regional and national events. The Director will be expected to improve competition quality and equity by refining evaluation systems, aiming for measurable improvements in judge alignment (e.g., 90% rubric consistency across competition sites) and participant satisfaction metrics.
In parallel, the Director will lead YWDF’s workforce research strategy, analyzing labor market trends, job placement data, and regional industry forecasts using third-party sources such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, O*NET, and state workforce agencies. Insights generated from this work will guide organizational planning, inform curriculum and competition updates, and identify high-growth industry sectors for future programming. The Director will be responsible for producing quarterly labor market reports and delivering actionable recommendations to the executive team—demonstrated by the annual integration of at least three new or emerging sectors or skill areas into program design. Additionally, this role will manage external research collaborations, including the current partnership with Northern Illinois University's P-20 Research Network, as well as future relationships with research institutions, workforce boards, and policy organizations. As a new and evolving position, the Director will have the opportunity to shape the scope and systems of their work, contributing deeply to YWDF’s mission of preparing youth for future-ready, high-demand careers.
OTHER JOB DUTIES
- In order to meaningful contribute to the organization, all employees are required to attend and participate in the following events:
- Quarterly in-office days that correspond to All Employee Meetings (scheduling notice provided at least 6 weeks in advance)
- In conjunction with staff, set and maintain a working schedule. Allow for flexible working hours, working evenings and weekends as needed, based on office schedule, meetings, and events.
- Other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor/Chief Executive Officer
WORK LOCATION: Headquarters Office (Pekin, Illinois)
Remote work for Illinois residents may be considered for this position.
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Chief Executive Officer
SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY: N/A
COMPENSATION: Full-time, salary
YWDF current employment benefits:
- Health Insurance Plan
- Retirement Plan with 3% contribution of salary match
The Youth Workforce Development Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We believe every employee has the right to work in surroundings that are free from all forms of unlawful discrimination. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, ancestry, creed, marital status, sexual orientation, or Veteran or military status, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by local, state or federal law in the relevant jurisdiction. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to employment, advancement, assignment and training.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $75,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Pekin, IL 61554
