Director of Workforce

University of Health and Performance • Full-time • Bentonville, AR, US • 1w ago

UHP (Unlock Human Potential)

UHP is a veteran-focused education and leadership development organization based on an 800-acre campus in Northwest Arkansas. Through immersive, high-impact programs, we develop service members and veterans into leaders—equipped with the skills, mindset, and purpose to thrive in their next chapter.

Our approach is built on four core pillars: Think. Train. Feel. Lead.

We integrate human performance, leadership development, and real-world skill building to prepare individuals for meaningful, long-term careers.

Director of Workforce Partnerships

The Opportunity

The Director of Workforce Partnerships is responsible for building and leading UHP’s employer and workforce partnership ecosystem — connecting veterans completing UHP programs with meaningful career opportunities.

This is not a traditional career services role.

This is a builder role focused on developing strategic employer relationships, expanding workforce pipelines, and creating scalable systems that connect veteran talent to real workforce demand.

Reporting directly to executive leadership, this individual will help shape the long-term strategy for employer engagement, workforce alignment, and career outcomes across UHP programs.

In the near term, the Director will operate as both a strategic leader and hands-on relationship builder — engaging employers, workforce organizations, community leaders, and veterans directly while building the structure and systems needed to scale the function over time.

We are looking for someone who can build trust, open doors, create partnerships, and help position UHP as a premier source of veteran talent both regionally and nationally.

Key Responsibilities

Employer & Workforce Partnerships

Build and manage relationships with employers, workforce organizations, industry groups, chambers, and hiring partners.
Develop regional and national workforce pipelines aligned with UHP programs and veteran career pathways.
Establish hiring partnerships, internships, apprenticeships, and workforce agreements that lead to measurable employment outcomes.
Represent UHP at employer meetings, workforce initiatives, industry events, and community partnerships.
Help employers become more “veteran-ready” by supporting successful onboarding, communication, and long-term retention strategies.

Veteran Career Outcomes

Work directly with veterans to understand career goals, readiness, strengths, and placement alignment.
Help veterans translate military experience into language and skills that align with civilian workforce needs.
Support career-readiness efforts, including networking, interview preparation, and employer engagement.
Serve as a bridge between veterans and employers to foster strong, long-term alignment and success.

Systems & Operational Development

Build scalable systems, tracking processes, CRM workflows, reporting structures, and partnership metrics.
Track workforce outcomes, including placements, retention, employer satisfaction, and partnership growth.
Align workforce demand, employer feedback, and program offerings to support long-term placement success.

Leadership & Growth

Help build and scale the Workforce Partnerships function as UHP grows.
Develop processes, standards, and future team structure for partnership and outcomes support staff.
Collaborate closely with executive leadership, admissions, instructors, and partnerships to align workforce strategy with UHP’s mission and long-term growth.

Required Qualifications

What We’re Looking For

7+ years of experience in workforce development, employer partnerships, recruiting, business development, talent pipelines, operations leadership, military transition, career pathways, or related fields.
Demonstrated success building external partnerships, employer relationships, or workforce pipelines that led to measurable outcomes.
Strong communication and relationship-building skills across executives, hiring managers, veterans, and community stakeholders.
Ability to build systems, processes, and operational structure in a fast-moving environment.
Comfortable operating in a builder-stage role with significant ownership and autonomy.
Experience leading initiatives, programs, teams, or operational functions with measurable accountability.

Strongly Preferred

Military service or significant experience working with veteran populations.
Existing relationships within Northwest Arkansas or relevant workforce ecosystems.
Experience in workforce development, apprenticeship programs, higher education workforce initiatives, economic development, or employer partnerships.
Background in operations, logistics, manufacturing, business development, recruiting, or strategic partnerships.

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent combination of professional experience, military leadership, workforce development, partnerships, recruiting, or operational leadership experience.

Nontraditional backgrounds with strong relationship-building, operational, military, workforce, or business development experience are encouraged to apply.

Why This Role Matters

Veterans leave the military with leadership, discipline, and capability — but many still struggle to find clear career pathways and organizations prepared to support their transition.

This role exists to change that.

The Director of Workforce Partnerships will play a critical role in helping veterans move from transition to long-term success by building relationships, creating opportunity, and developing partnerships that have real impact on people’s lives.

This is an opportunity to help build something meaningful from the ground up while shaping the future of workforce partnerships at UHP.

Competitive Compensation Package