Summary:

The Louisiana LaSTEM Advisory Council is creating nine regional STEM Network Centers throughout the state to:

1. Build strong foundations for STEM literacy
2. Increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM
3. Prepare the STEM workforce for jobs of today, and of tomorrow

The Region 1 STEM Network Center will be led by the regional economic development organization, Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.).  GNO, Inc. recognizes that the economic growth of the region and its businesses depends upon the strength of qualified labor pipelines, which in turn depends upon the economic mobility of Greater New Orleans residents.  GNO, Inc. serves as a workforce development intermediary, connecting employers to education and training providers to ensure their specific hiring needs are met through industry-influenced programming and curricula.  GNO, Inc. seeks to build programs and partnerships that support a sizeable, growing, and qualified workforce that is well-equipped to meet workforce demands, particularly in STEM fields.

The Region 1 STEM Network Center Director (henceforth referred to as Director) will be a member of the workforce development team at GNO, Inc.  The Director will report to the President & CEO and Program Manager, and will receive guidance from the Region 1 STEM Advisory Committee and the LaSTEM Advisory Council.  The Director will work directly with the Program Manager to align STEM activities with regional economic and workforce development initiatives.  The Director will work closely with higher education, industry, PreK-12, community-based organizations, economic development, and governmental/elected officials to ensure STEM initiatives enhance economic mobility and growth for all in the region.

The Director will advocate for LaSTEM Advisory Council activities, Regional Advisory Committee initiatives, and activities throughout the assigned region and beyond when applicable.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with emphasis or comparable experience in a STEM field, marketing, management, economic development, or related area

• Demonstrated ability to engage, inspire and advocate for STEM interests and activities

• Knowledge of STEM education, workforce, economic and community partnerships within the Greater New Orleans region

• Understanding and ability to effectively navigate local, state, and federal political landscape

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to plan, organize, and manage complex activities

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain a professional working relationship with a wide variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds

• Proficient with current software and web‐based applications 

• Effective time management and organizational skills while working with minimal oversight

• Experience with, project management and the ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team on complex projects

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a STEM field, management, or related area

• Program development and experience with underserved and underrepresented populations

Director Expectations:

·       Implement STEM programs throughout Region 1 to meet current and future workforce demand

o   Identify, collaborate, and provide support new STEM programs and scale-ups/optimizations of existing STEM programs

o   Ensure accurate data gathering, analysis, action plans, and progress toward benchmarks set by the LaSTEM Advisory Council and the Regional Advisory Committee

·       Prepare quarterly performance reports delivered by the due dates in the prescribed format  for the LaSTEM Program Administrator and Regional Advisory Committee

o   Work with GNO, Inc. finance director to maintain and incorporate financial information in quarterly reporting

o   Meet contractual deadlines and, when unable to do so, communicates in a timely fashion any intervening circumstances

·       Communicate Regional STEM Committee activities and updates regularly to the region, using various resources such as social media, periodic newsletters, Regional STEM website, media engagements (radio, television, social media, and print), speaking engagements, etc.

·       Convene the Regional STEM Advisory Committee at least six times per year and post agendas to the Regional STEM website along with meeting summaries and members in attendance for the purposes (of):

o   Leveraging the group to communicate throughout the region

o   Promoting discussion and prompt relevant feedback to issues and opportunities

o   Maintaining transparency on budget and program decisions

o   Inform progress and engagement as volunteers in regional and statewide LaSTEM Council events and program 

·       Provide leadership to the LaSTEM Advisory Council by serving the broader state mission beyond the Regional STEM Director’s region

·       Establish working relationships with STEM-related business and industry, workforce, economic development, school-to-career, trade/professional, early childhood, preK-12 schools, community colleges, out-of-school time organizations, intermediaries, public and private colleges and universities, and cultural and community organizations in the region, cataloging their contributions to STEM education and their STEM workforce needs.  The Director is tasked with creating and maintaining a database that includes:

o   New and recurrent contacts and their contributions to STEM

o   Describe these entities, institutions, and individuals targeted for relational development in the current year and what progress has been made

·       Lead the planning, partnerships, and publicity to organize family/community STEM events with the Region 1 STEM Center Partners and Regional Advisory Committee

o   Provide impact evidence (including location, attendance, partners, programs, budget, and effects on knowledge or attitudes) of family/community STEM events 

·       Work with the GNO, Inc. Program Manager and VP of Advancement to consider and pursue external funding sources to augment and support STEM efforts of the Regional STEM Center and throughout the region

·       Work with the Human Capital Manager to engage employers with STEM talent

·       Work with the Business Development and Marketing teams to create industry targeted marketing materials to showcase the STEM ecosystem that stimulates business recruitment efforts

About Greater New Orleans, Inc. 

Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.) is the regional economic development organization serving the 10-parish region of Southeast Louisiana that includes Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes.

Our mission is to create a Greater New Orleans with a thriving economy and an excellent quality of life, for everyone.

GNO, Inc. works together with the business community; local, state, and federal governments; and other regional stakeholders to coordinate, consolidate, and catalyze action on key issues and opportunities that maximize job and wealth creation and retention, are relevant to the region as a whole, and create systematic impact.

From workforce development and fiscal reform to coastal stabilization and criminal justice reform, when we pool our efforts toward mutually beneficial outcomes, we can produce a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.

To apply:

Please submit your resume, cover letter, and a list of references.