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Director of Workforce Development

Matchbook Learning & The Match High School - Indianapolis, IN

Our Vision

We believe every child regardless of status or condition, can be deeply known, loved and

flourishing. We are turning around formerly the lowest performing school in the city and State.

The means by which we accomplish this vision, our mission, is that we personalize learning,

within a restorative community, fostering resilience and excellence, while preparing students for

real-world opportunities. We believe we can reverse the multi-generational cycle of poverty

afflicting communities across the nation by replacing it with a multi-generational cycle of

affluence that connects children from Kindergarten all the way through 12th grade, in

personalized experiences of growing self-awareness, agency and eventual mastery of

vocational pathway(s) that unlock their passions and capacity.

Who We Are

Matchbook Learning is a non-profit organization with two charter schools:

+ Matchbook – a K-8 charter restart of the former Wendell Phillips School 63 on the near Westside of Indianapolis, serving over 750 students in partnership with IPS and authorized by the City of Indianapolis.

+ The Match – a brand new charter high school, opening in 2024 with a 9th grade class and growing to a full career and technical academy, with vocational tracks with community partners so that students while in school can apprentice in dynamic fields such as welding, construction, electrical and plumbing, entrepreneurship, healthcare and so much more. We do this inside two newly developed buildings each with its own vocational trade areas of development in partnership with our authorizer, Trine University.

We are addressing the systemic barriers to post-secondary success while building a pipeline of

skilled workers who can meet the demands of Indiana’s workforce.

We acquired two industrial buildings in our community and developed a state-of-the-art career

and technical vocational high school, The Match, in 2024. We have designed this high school to

serve our students based on our research on both what we know to be their vocational passions

and interests of students along with what we believe are the five key mindsets, knowledge and

skills needed for post-secondary success today:

+ Craftsmanship...

+ Technology...

+ Health & Wellness...

+ Entrepreneurship...

+ Expression...

Together, these pathways provide students with the tools and knowledge to thrive in both their

careers and their communities.

Our Opportunity

In a community where schools have long been disparaged as “failing,” Matchbook Learning and

the Match embody a new promise to provide students with high-quality learning experiences

and to close the gap between education, community, and career development.

By leveraging modern advances in technology and the science of learning and development

while connecting students with the community through meaningful real-world learning and skill

development, we are trailblazing a new model of education that adapts to the unique interests

and aspirations of each learner while equipping them with the foundational knowledge, skills,

and dispositions needed to thrive well beyond our walls.

Our story is just beginning, and we are seeking a new team member to help co-create and

enact this bright future.

Position Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Workforce Development to join our

leadership team. This role will serve both our K-8 and high school programs, leading the

development and implementation of curriculum and training that embeds Indiana workforce

development standards in grades K-12. Additionally, the Director will be responsible for creating

and maintaining employer partnerships that result in apprenticeships, internships, and full-time

job placement after graduation.

The Director of Workforce Development will work closely with the K-12 Director of

Personalized Learning, as well as the K-8 and High School Principals and their leadership

teams to align curriculum with state workforce development standards and with our five

vocational tracks. They will create a roadmap for implementation and will support the leadership

teams in continuously monitoring and improving implementation and scaffolding supports for

teachers and learners alike.

The Director of Workforce Development and the Director of Personalized Learning will jointly

coordinate areas of overlap, including career readiness, real-world project integration, and

reflective assessments of student progress. They will participate in weekly and quarterly joint

planning meetings to align on student data, career pathways, and personalized learning

experiences.

Key Responsibilities

Workforce Development Leadership

+ In consultation with K-8 and HS leadership teams, and in partnership with the Director of Personalized Learning, spearhead a collaborative process that engages diverse stakeholders in the schools (students, teachers, and staff), parents, and business and community leaders to define a set of workforce-ready graduation competencies (aligned but not limited to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development Employability Skills) to be codified in a Profile of a Matchbook Graduate (PMG).

+ In partnership with the Director of Personalized learning, and in consultation with K-8 and HS leadership teams, work collaboratively with K-8 and HS educators to back-map the Profile of a Matchbook Graduate competencies into key benchmarks at each grade level or grade span.

+ Develop and maintain relationships with employers to create apprenticeship, internship, and full-time job opportunities that will help students develop PMG competencies.

+ Develop MOU's with employer partners that clearly outline expectations, responsibilities, and evaluation metrics.

+ Evaluate and manage employer partners to ensure consistent high-quality opportunities for our students.

+ Create and implement a system for tracking student progress and achievement in PMG competencies.

+ Develop and manage a job placement program for graduating seniors.

+ Create and track measures of postsecondary placement and success.

+ Jointly participate in quarterly reviews and shared planning with the Director of Personalized Learning to ensure workforce development experiences complement personalized learning goals and growth data.

Instructional Leadership

+ In partnership with the Director of Personalized Learning, lead professional development sessions focused on building teachers’ understanding of employability skills and how to develop career-ready PMG competencies alongside content knowledge and skills.

+ Co-host student exhibitions and portfolio reviews that highlight students’ PMG competencies.

+ Support teachers in identifying business and industry leaders to serve as community panelists for student exhibitions and portfolio reviews.

Program Development and Management

+ Develop MOUs with key employers in each vocational track to properly evaluate the programs on an annual basis

+ Renew or terminate employer partners based on agreed upon metrics of success

+ Grow annually the number of employer partnerships we have to place students in apprenticeships, internships and job placements after graduation

AI Integration

+ Use AI platforms (e.g., NotionAI, Granola, Claude) to streamline project management, employer outreach, and career-readiness documentation.

+ Build systems that leverage AI to match students with internships, mentorships, and career opportunities aligned to skills and interests.

+ Analyze labor market data using AI tools to identify high-opportunity sectors and adjust program offerings accordingly. Train students and staff on AI literacy for the workplace, including resume-building, interview prep, and productivity workflows.

+ Implement AI tools to track student work-based learning progress and generate data reports for grants, board updates, and stakeholders.

Key Outcomes for Year One

+ Develop 5 MOUs, one for each vocational track at the Match.

+ Co-create a Profile of a Matchbook Graduate this is aligned to the aligned but not limited to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development Employability Skills, and that shares broad ownership and approval from Matchbook K-12 staff, students, parents, and business and community partners.

+ Co-Create benchmarks for the PMG competencies in each grade level or grade span.

+ Build a robust system to manage business and industry partnerships and monitor their success at supporting students’ PMG competency development. The management system should include ways to track recruitment and partnership with industry providers, as well as ways to record and monitor student engagement, activity, and competency development in each of the internships, apprenticeships, or job opportunities. The system should help leadership identify and address gaps in the opportunities available to our students, and ensure that all opportunities we provide are high-quality. The system should also integrate seamlessly with the system for tracking student profiles and portfolios for which the Director for Personalized Learning is responsible.

+ Work very closely with our K-12 Director of Personalized Learning to design a cohesive and coherent vocationally themed, personalized learning model.

+ Evaluate Vocational Partner performance at the conclusion of year one using MOUs and agreed upon measurements for success and make renewal determinations.

+ Support the Director of Personalized Learning to design a system of performance assessments at each grade level through which students can demonstrate PMG competencies, to be piloted next year.

Participate in quarterly reviews with the Director of Personalized Learning to ensure shared success metrics and support continuous refinement of student experiences.

Qualifications

Education & Certification

+ Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Education, Workforce Development, Business Administration, or related field preferred.

+ Valid Indiana educator license or relevant industry certification preferred but not required.

Experience

+ 5–7 years of progressively responsible leadership in workforce development, CTE, or postsecondary transition.

+ Proven ability to build and sustain strong partnerships with industry and community stakeholders.

+ Success in program design and implementation in K–12 or postsecondary settings.

+ Experience aligning training or curricula to state/national employability standards (e.g., Indiana DWD).

Leadership & Collaboration

+ Strong strategic thinking and systems leadership; effective in leading cross-functional teams.

+ Ability to collaborate with school leaders and external partners to align pathways with academic outcomes.

+ Experience designing and evaluating partnership MOUs with measurable impact.

Technical & Data Skills

+ Proficient in AI-enabled tools (e.g., NotionAI, Claude, Granola) for workforce tracking and project management.

+ Skilled in labor market analysis and placement systems.

+ Ability to implement systems tracking student engagement, job placement, and internship activity.

Instructional Knowledge

+ Familiarity with personalized learning and performance-based assessments.

+ Ability to train staff in integrating employability skills into curriculum and vocational tracks.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

+ Strong written and verbal skills with the ability to influence diverse stakeholders.

+ Experience leading professional development and community presentations.

Mission Fit

+ Deep belief in Matchbook Learning’s mission to break cycles of poverty through career-aligned learning.

+ Commitment to innovation, equity, and restorative practices.

Benefits

+ Competitive Pay Range: $80,000-$90,000 , based on verified years of experience and licensure

+ Health Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.

+ Retirement Plan: 401(k) with employer contribution.

+ Paid Time Off: Personal and sick days.

+ $2,500 in tuition reimbursement for staff pursuing education-related degrees or certifications

+ A $500 referral bonus for employees who refer candidates who remain employed through Winter break

+ Professional Development: Opportunities for growth through workshops and training sessions.

+ Collaborative Environment: Work within a supportive, dynamic team of educators dedicated to fostering academic and social growth for all students.

•​​​​​​Matchbook Learning is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

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