Director of Path to Trades - Seattle Promise

Seattle Colleges District is looking to hire a Director of Path to Trades in Seattle Promise. 

Salary Range for this position is $104,498 to $144,307 annually (depending on experience). The anticipated starting salary for this position is $125,000.

Opportunity is open until filled, first review of materials will begin June 24th, 2026.  

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Seattle Promise, the Director of Path to Trades provides visionary leadership and strategic oversight for the Path to Trades initiative, a signature expansion of the Seattle Promise program funded through the City of Seattle's Families, Education, Preschool and Promise (FEPP) Levy. This position is responsible for designing, implementing, and scaling equitable access to high-demand trades training programs for Seattle Public Schools students and Seattle Promise scholars.

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Seattle Promise, the Director leads cross-functional collaboration across Seattle Colleges, Seattle Public Schools, and city and regional partners to create seamless pathways into trades education and careers. The role oversees the development of experiential learning opportunities, including the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Explore Seattle Colleges field trip programming. This position will ensure alignment with regional workforce needs, student success outcomes, and levy investment goals.

The Director supervises career-focused staff, manages program budgets, drives continuous improvement through data-informed decision-making, and serves as a key liaison to internal and external stakeholders, including faculty, administrators, and industry partners.

As a visible member of the Seattle Promise Leadership team, the Director builds and sustains relationships with internal and external partners, including campus stakeholders, K-12 partners, community-based organizations, business leaders, public officials, and volunteers. 

Seattle Promise and this position are funded by the City of Seattle's Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy (FEPP) which has the goal of transforming the lives of Seattle's children, youth, and families by leading with race and social justice by providing Seattle residents access to educational opportunities from preschool through post-secondary. The FEPP Levy is currently funded through June 30, 2032.

This is a full-time position, working 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8am-4:30pm. This position works on-site at a Seattle College for a minimum of 4 days per week and is eligible for intermittent remote work.

About Us

We are a district of three distinct colleges: North Seattle College, Seattle Central College, and South Seattle College and five specialty training centers. Which makes us the largest and most diverse community college district in the state of Washington, we are leaders in change and innovation. 

Seattle Colleges is committed to recruiting dedicated faculty and employees who together create a welcoming academic climate that reflects the diverse backgrounds of our community, including ethnicity, national origin, religion, race, gender, gender identity, age, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, disability, political status, and sexual orientation.

As a Seattle Colleges employee, you will gain access to a great benefits package including: 

Competitive Pay Rates 

Promotional Opportunities 

Great Medical, Dental, and Retirement plans 

Paid Sick and Vacation Leave 

Transportation benefits 

Tuition Waivers

PEBB Wellness Plan 

Washington State Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Seattle Colleges staff and faculty also enjoy professional development opportunities and enrichment experiences in areas of their choice, including committee, workgroup, and affinity group opportunities.

Application Procedures:

Attached current Resume

Attached cover letter addressing how your background intersects with the job

Required application materials must be completed and submitted online

Notice to Applicants: 
Please note that Seattle Colleges has moved to holding interviews virtually using video conference options such as Zoom or Teams. As such, if you are selected for an interview, please be prepared to hold your interview virtually.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a regular basis. The employer will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Seattle Colleges is unable to extend post-completion optional practical training (OPT) to F-1 students who receive STEM degrees.

What you will be working on:

Strategic Leadership

Lead the vision, strategy, and implementation of the Path to Trades initiative in alignment with Seattle Promise goals and FEPP Levy priorities. 

Collaborate with district and college leadership, faculty, and staff to expand and scale Discover Seattle Colleges programming with a focus on trades pathways. 

Design and implement Explore Seattle Colleges events for 9-12th grade students, providing hands-on, project-based learning experiences that increase awareness and access to trades programs. 

Partner with Seattle Public Schools Career and Technical Education (CTE) leaders and the Seattle Promise Director of Outreach to align programming, recruitment, and student engagement strategies. 

Collaborate with the Seattle Promise Director of Communications to support a coordinated, city-wide marketing campaign promoting high-demand trades programs. 

Engage with City of Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) partners to develop, refine, and sustain the Path to Trades investment strategy. 

Build and maintain partnerships with business, labor, and public sector stakeholders to align programming with workforce needs and career opportunities. 

Actively work toward fostering cohesion and collaboration between Seattle Promise departments, centering on high quality student experience.

Operational Leadership

Oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of Explore Seattle Colleges field trips, including scheduling, logistics, and participant experience for cohorts of 20- 40 students. 

Contract with faculty and instructional teams to design and deliver high-quality, hands-on learning experiences aligned with trades programs. 

Coordinate resource allocation, facilities, materials, and staffing needed to support program delivery. 

Collaborate with the Executive Director of Research & Planning to track program outcomes, analyze data, and implement continuous quality improvement strategies. 

Support and actively collaborate with the Assistant Director of Student Events in executing program logistics and ensuring high-quality event experiences. 

Direct career support programming for Seattle Promise and Path to Trades students, ensuring alignment with student success and employment outcomes. 

Establish systems and processes to ensure effective program delivery across multiple campuses and departments. 

People Leadership

Supervise full-time Student Career Planning Specialists and other assigned staff, providing leadership in hiring, onboarding, training, performance management, and professional development. 

Foster a collaborative, student-centered team culture focused on equity, access, and continuous improvement. 

Provide coaching and guidance to staff to ensure high-quality advising and career pathway support for students. 

Partner with faculty, academic deans, and college leadership to align program implementation with instructional priorities and student needs. 

Financial Leadership

Develop, manage, and monitor the Path to Trades budget to ensure effective use of FEPP Levy funds and compliance with funding requirements. 

Ensure all programming operates within allocated annual and multi-year levy budgets. 

Forecast resource needs and make strategic decisions to maximize program impact and sustainability. 

Ensure accurate application with use of funds, including but not limited to student financial aid aspects of Path to Trades.

Oversee contracts with faculty and external partners, ensuring fiscal accountability and alignment with program goals. 

Other Duties as Assigned

Prepare reports, presentations, and updates for internal and external leadership and stakeholders as needed. 

Represent Seattle Promise and Path to Trades in meetings, convenings, and public forums. 

Ensure compliance with institutional policies, state regulations, and levy requirements. 

Perform other related duties as assigned in support of student success and program goals. 

This description is not intended to cover every aspect of this job, we are a team that works together to meet the needs of those we serve, and every member of the team is expected to contribute, even beyond the specific responsibilities listed in this posting.

What you bring as a candidate: (Any Equivalent Combination of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education and Experience)

Master's degree in education, workforce development, public administration, or a related field. 

Five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in education, workforce development, or a related field. 

Demonstrated experience developing and managing programs that support student success, career pathways, or workforce alignment. 

Experience supervising staff and leading cross-functional teams. 

Experience managing budgets. 

Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and serving diverse student populations. 

Strong collaboration and partnership-building skills with internal and external stakeholders. 

Experience working with K-12 systems, particularly Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. 

Experience in trades education, apprenticeship pathways, or workforce training programs. 

Familiarity with Seattle Colleges, Seattle Public Schools, and/or City of Seattle systems and partnerships. 

Experience designing experiential learning programs or large-scale student events. 

Experience using data and evaluation to inform program improvement and decision-making. 

Familiarity and proficiency with various technologies, including but not limited to Microsoft Office, student database systems and student success technologies.

Ability to travel between worksites within Seattle, including multiple Seattle Colleges campuses.

Physical Demands and Disability Accommodation

Persons with disabilities have the right to reasonable accommodation in all aspects of employment with Seattle Colleges. This includes, but is not limited to, recruitment, application, interviewing, hiring, training, termination, conditions of employment, and any other employer-supported activities. Applicants requesting accommodation should contact Human Resources.

OFFICE SETTING:

Seattle Colleges follows the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides the following information as a guideline for applicants: 

Ability to operate office equipment, receive and interpret data, and prepare various materials

Ability to exchange information with supervisor, lead, co-workers, and students

Ability to provide 1:1 support, present to small groups, and work at a computer exercising repetitive hand motion

Work is performed primarily in office settings with frequent interruptions and encounters noises typical of these settings 

Notice of Non-Discrimination Statement

Seattle Colleges is committed to the concept and practice of equal opportunity for all its students, employees, and applicants in education, employment, services and contracts, and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, color, age, hair texture or protective hairstyles, national origin, religion, creed, marital status, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender expression, status as an honorably discharged veteran or disabled veteran or military status, political affiliation or belief, citizenship/status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States, or presence of any physical, sensory, or mental disability. In addition, reasonable accommodations will be made for known physical or mental limitations for all otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. Further, Seattle Colleges is committed to ensure that all employees and students work and learn in an environment that fosters mutual respect and professionalism, free from all forms of "bullying" behaviors, including "cyber bullying."

Students, employees, and applicants at Seattle Colleges can reach the Title IX Coordinator or ADA/Section 504 Coordinator for questions about discrimination, harassment or grievance procedures.

Background Check Statement 

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position. In addition to the background check, candidates will complete Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Form WA HB 2327 as required.