Program Manager, Workforce Development

The Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) is a state-funded initiative that brings together more than 40 colleges and universities, industry partners, and other stakeholders to strengthen Virginia’s cybersecurity research, education, workforce development, and innovation ecosystem. Organized through a CCI hub and four regional nodes spanning the Commonwealth, CCI supports collaboration across higher education and industry and develops programs and partnerships that help prepare Virginia’s students and workforce for the evolving cybersecurity and technology economy.

CCI is seeking a collaborative and execution-focused Program Manager to advance CCI’s workforce development mission. Based in CCI’s Arlington, VA operations, the Program Manager will design, develop, and execute workforce development initiatives that connect students with employers through experiential learning, internships, project-based learning, career preparation, and other work-based learning opportunities. The Program Manager will also partner with CCI Nodes and engage with workforce development initiatives throughout the CCI network. Reporting to the Director of Outreach, this role will strengthen industry and government partnerships, support strategic workforce initiatives, and ensure the successful delivery of programs that prepare CCI students for careers in cybersecurity and related technical fields.

The Program Manager will bring demonstrated knowledge and experience in workforce development principles, practices, and program design, with particular expertise in developing experiential learning, internship, project-based learning, and other work-based learning programs that connect students with employers and create pathways to employment.

The Program Manager will lead program execution across a portfolio of projects ranging from simple to intermediate complexity. Responsibilities include managing timelines, budgets, deliverables, and cross-functional coordination to ensure effective and timely outcomes. The role will track engagement and performance metrics, monitor progress against goals, and prepare updates and reports for leadership and key stakeholders, supporting continuous improvement and accountability.

The Program Manager will lead and support program development activities by designing and advancing workforce development initiatives in collaboration with internal leadership and external partners. This includes developing programs based on student needs, employer demand, labor-market trends, and emerging workforce needs; shaping engagement strategies; supporting experiential and applied programming; and translating strategic goals into actionable programs that respond to employer, government, student, and community needs.

In support of employer and business development, the Program Manager will cultivate and maintain relationships with public- and private-sector partners, serving as a primary point of contact to facilitate collaboration and communication. The role will identify, recruit, and steward employers who can provide internships, project-based learning opportunities, mentorship, industry projects, and employment opportunities for CCI students. The Program Manager will support partner outreach, CCI node outreach, and marketing efforts, and assist in identifying and pursuing opportunities that expand participation in and visibility of CCI’s workforce development programs.

The role will develop and maintain systems for measuring student, employer, and program outcomes and use those results to improve CCI’s workforce development initiatives.

This position is located at the Virginia Tech Research Center in Arlington, VA and is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement within a commutable distance to support a weekly in-office presence. Occasional travel may be required to support collaborative initiatives and stakeholder engagement.

• Master’s degree with experience in workforce development, program management, education, business, public administration, or a related field; or Bachelor’s degree with demonstrated professional experience in workforce development, program management, or a related field in lieu of the advanced degree.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with workforce development principles, practices, and program design, including employer engagement, career pathways, experiential learning, internships, project-based learning, work-based learning, and strategies for connecting students or job seekers with employment opportunities.
• Experience designing, implementing, or managing workforce development programs that connect students or job seekers with employers and demonstrate measurable internship, employment, or career outcomes.
• Experience developing and managing relationships with employers, industry partners, program stakeholders, government agencies, educational institutions, or other workforce stakeholders to create meaningful learning and career opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage programs and projects from planning through implementation and completion, including managing timelines, deliverables, budgets, stakeholders, and multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of labor-market and industry trends and the ability to identify workforce needs and translate those needs into program strategies and recommendations.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and to develop clear, professional communications and presentations for diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with a diverse set of constituent groups, including students, program stakeholders, corporate partners, government agencies, university administrators, faculty, community colleges, and community organizations.
• Ability to analyze data, including workforce, labor-market, program participation, employer engagement, and employment outcome data, and use findings to establish priorities and inform program development and continuous improvement.
• Evidence of being a self-starter who can work independently while also serving effectively as a team contributor in a complex and fast-paced organization.
• Demonstrated ability to set and manage multiple priorities, tasks, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Experience planning and/or supporting the planning of meetings, events, workshops, or other stakeholder engagement activities.
• Proficiency with office suite tools such as word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations.

• Experience and/or education in cybersecurity, information technology, engineering, data science, or another cyber-related or technical field.
• Experience developing or managing internships, apprenticeships, project-based learning, employer-sponsored projects, mentorship programs, or other work-based learning initiatives.
• Experience developing and implementing career-readiness programs or career pathways that prepare students for employment in technical or high-demand fields.
• Demonstrated experience establishing employer partnerships that result in internships, experiential learning opportunities, projects, mentorship, interviews, or employment for students or job seekers.
• Experience working in an academic environment, particularly in collaboration with faculty, students, career services, or academic leadership.
• Experience working across government, industry, academia, economic development organizations, and/or venture capital.
• Demonstrated networking skills, including experience developing strategic partnerships and negotiating business-to-business agreements or contracts.
• Experience establishing and developing new business relationships and securing external funding or sponsorships for workforce or education programs.
• Experience with grant management, proposal development, or other public- or private-sector funding mechanisms.

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Restricted

$96,000 - $125,000, commensurate with experience

40

October 28, 2026

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

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