POSITION OVERVIEW: Lake Area Technical College is seeking a dynamic business and industry-focused Director of Corporate Education to lead the development, delivery, and growth of innovative non-credit workforce training solutions. This position serves as a key connector between the college and business/industry partners across South Dakota ensuring training programs align with workforce demands, industry credentials, and regional economic needs.

The Director plays a critical role in expanding customized training, corporate partnerships, and career pathway development while supporting the college’s mission of providing superior, comprehensive technical education that changes lives and launches careers.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

 

• Associate degree or higher in the field of training and development or business preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of business experience required, with strong experience in business, entrepreneurship, management, or leadership with previous and direct responsibility of business operations, budgeting, and customer relationships.
• Demonstrated experience developing, selling, or delivering services to business and industry clients.
• Strong business acumen, including experience with budgeting, cost analysis, pricing, and proposal development.
• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with business leaders, industry partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Experience leading teams, supervising staff, or managing contracted service providers preferred.
• Knowledge of regional workforce and industry training needs, particularly in South Dakota.
• Experience coordinating or managing training programs, workforce development initiatives, or industry partnerships preferred.
• Ability to work collaboratively with LATC faculty, staff, and industry partners to advance the mission of the college.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, oral, and written communication skills.
• Self-directed, entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to operate independently and make sound business decisions.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and client relationships simultaneously.

 

REPORTS TO: Director of Outreach, Vice President

 

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

• Serve as the primary business and industry liaison for corporate education, building strong partnerships and identifying workforce training needs across the region.

• Operate the corporate education division with an entrepreneurial, business-minded approach, similar to running an independent business unit within the college.
• Develop and manage an annual corporate education budget, including revenue projections, expense planning, and financial performance monitoring.
• Meet with businesses to assess workforce skill gaps and provide customized training solutions, including industry-recognized credentials, short-term training, and career pathway options.
• Develop detailed training proposals and cost models for companies, ensuring pricing covers all operating costs including instructor pay, materials, equipment, facilities, and administrative expenses.
• Coordinate with Lake Area Technical College instructors and departments to deliver customized training (e.g., welding, technical skills, safety, or industry-specific training).
• When internal resources are not available, recruit, contract, and manage qualified external trainers or industry experts to deliver training on behalf of the college.
• Oversee ongoing corporate training programs, industry-specific initiatives, and grant-funded workforce projects.
• Provide leadership and oversight of the CDL training program, ensuring quality, compliance, enrollment growth, and revenue generation in support of corporate education operations.
• Recruit, supervise, and support corporate education instructors, staff, and contracted trainers.

• Collaborate with academic departments and college leadership to align non-credit training with credit pathways and student opportunities when appropriate.
• Represent Lake Area Technical College at business, industry, and community organizations, events, and workforce initiatives.
• Track, analyze, and report performance data including businesses served, individuals trained, credentials earned, and financial outcomes to ensure sustainability and continuous improvement.
• Maintain strong internal relationships with faculty and staff to foster a responsive, solutions-oriented training environment.
• May require occasional evening and weekend hours based on training classes.
• Perform other duties as assigned according to Lake Area Tech’s Mission.

 

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Twelve-month contract with salary and benefits set by the Watertown School Board. Competitive benefits package, including health and dental coverage, a generous leave policy, and South Dakota Retirement System eligibility through the Watertown School District.

 

SALARY RANGE: $71,000.00 - $85,000.00