Senior Associate – Workforce & Economic Development

Position: Full-time
Location: Frankfort, Kentucky; limited telecommuting 
Salary Range: $60,000 - $72,000
Travel: In-state travel and occasional out-of-state travel
Retirement: TIAA
Priority Deadline: November 23, 2026

Overview

The Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) is Kentucky’s coordinating body for postsecondary education. We are committed to strengthening the commonwealth’s workforce, economy, and quality of life through a high-quality postsecondary education system. The Workforce and Economic Development Unit aligns postsecondary education goals with economic development and workforce talent needs to support the growth of Kentucky’s students, communities, employers, and economy. Currently, we focus our efforts on supporting institutions and employers to expand career-integrated learning opportunities, translate the value proposition of a postsecondary program, and advance innovative solutions to alleviate barriers to workforce participation. 

Function of the Position

This Senior Associate position will lead CPE’s Workforce unit’s work related to strengthening two- and four- year campus-based career advising and development to improve career outcomes for postsecondary programs. Reporting to the Executive Director of Workforce and Economic Development, the Senior Associate will develop and manage projects that support institutional and employer best practices and build tools that meet institutional needs. These include convenings for career services professionals, advancing the implementation of quality coaching and holistic advising models, creating labor market information dashboards and toolkits, developing a Kentucky-aligned career aptitude and interest assessment, and establishing work-based learning supports that connect institutions, students, and employers.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of a Kentucky-aligned career aptitude and interest assessment to be integrated into Futuriti, including vendor or instrument evaluation, validation against Kentucky labor market data, and campus rollout.
• Translate current and projected labor market information into student-, advisor-, faculty-, and employer-facing tools and show institutions how to embed it across the student journey (recruitment through transition to work).
• Convene career services professionals to advance quality coaching and holistic advising in order to establish shared definitions and expectations, align incentives, build a common data infrastructure, and streamline agency and institution work.
• Support the unit’s increase of work-based learning opportunities for students by providing technical assistance, thought-partnership, and warm handoffs for postsecondary institutions and employers.
• Research and write reports, presentations, and policy memos that guide policy recommendations related to career-aligned learning to CPE leadership, state legislators, and other key stakeholders.
• Represent CPE at institutional, employer, and state meetings, with travel as needed.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

Required:

• Prior related experience in career services, advising, or work-based learning;
• Project management and stakeholder facilitation;
• Minimum of five years’ experience at a postsecondary institution(s) or an education-related organization OR a master’s degree in public policy, education policy, social sciences, humanities, or related fields plus three years of experience;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively;  
• Capacity to design, execute, and evaluate short- and long-term projects; 
• Strong attention to detail; 
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Willingness to learn.

Preferred: 

• Experience with career assessments or career exploration platforms, familiarity with Kentucky’s postsecondary landscape, Futuriti, or advising models;
• Strong interpersonal skills; 
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems with creative solutions;
• Demonstrated ability to understand and articulate the value of a postsecondary education to community partners.

Application Process

Interested applicants should send a letter of application specifically addressing the responsibilities and qualifications of the position, a resume, and the names, titles, and contact information for at least three professional references to CPE.HR@ky.gov.