Director of Emerging Technologies

NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) provides quality and affordable higher education to empower lives and strengthen communities within Northwest Arkansas and surrounding areas.

As the largest community college in Arkansas, NWACC is recognized as a leader in education. NWACC offers a full range of associate degrees, certificates and workforce training programs that prepare students for rewarding futures and careers.

NWACC employees are dedicated to fostering a diverse educational community and cultural learning environment that supports student success.

The Director of Emerging Technologies serves as NWACC's lead in developing education and workforce solutions in emerging technologies, working at the intersection of industry and education to translate regional workforce priorities into high-quality credit programs, contract training, professional skills programming, microcredentials, and stackable credential pathways. This means turning employer demand into concrete outcomes: new programs, industry-recognized credentials, workshops, customized training, grant initiatives, equipment recommendations, and student-to-employer talent pipelines that strengthen business competitiveness and expand career opportunities. The Director provides operational, academic, and industry-facing leadership for NWACC's advanced technology portfolio — including artificial intelligence, automation and robotics, electronics, semiconductor technologies, advanced manufacturing, intelligent systems, and other emerging applied technologies.
Working across Academic Affairs, Workforce Development, K-12 partners, and regional employers, the Director leads the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of programs aligned with current and future workforce needs. This position may teach an instructional load up to 9 credit hours per semester. Reporting closely to the Executive Director of Workforce & Economic Development, the Director partners on strategic workforce initiatives and industry relationships while owning execution: where Workforce leadership sets strategic priorities, the Director converts them into educational programs and training solutions that deliver measurable impact for students, employers, and the region.

Essential Duties:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for NWACC’s advanced and emerging technology programs, including AI, automation, robotics, electronics, semiconductor technologies, advanced manufacturing, intelligent systems, applied data skills, and related workforce training

• Develop and implement growth strategies that align credit, non-credit, professional skills, microcredentials, certificates, apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, customized training, and degree pathways with regional workforce and employer needs

• Build and maintain employer, advisory committee, K-12, higher education, workforce, nonprofit, and economic development partnerships to identify skill gaps and translate industry needs into actionable programs and training solutions.

• Lead the design, launch, review, and continuous improvement of employer-informed programs, curriculum, course sequences, learning outcomes, credentials, instructional models, and hands-on learning experiences

• Monitor emerging technology trends and recommend educational responses that integrate responsible AI use, data privacy, cybersecurity awareness, ethical decision-making, workplace automation, and applied technology skills.

• Support student recruitment, enrollment, advising coordination, retention, completion, work-based learning, employment pathways, and transition to further education or career advancement

• Oversee daily program operations, including scheduling, course planning, instructor assignments, lab readiness, equipment and supply coordination, enrollment monitoring, student support, communications, and multi-campus or employer-site delivery models

• Recruit, onboard, supervise, support, and evaluate faculty, adjunct instructors, trainers, and instructional support personnel while promoting instructional quality, professional development, curriculum alignment, and current workplace practices.

• Develop and manage program budgets, equipment plans, fee structures, grant resources, sustainability plans, compliance requirements, assessment processes, and reporting obligations

• Support grant development, employer-sponsored training, revenue and enrollment strategies, partnership opportunities, equipment support, and regional initiatives that strengthen workforce mobility, business competitiveness, and NWACC’s role in emerging technology education

• Additional duties may be assigned as necessary to support the goals and objectives of the department and college

Rate of Pay: $70,104 annualized *Higher compensation may be considered based on qualifications directly related to position.

Completed applications received by 9/16/2026 will be assured full consideration. Late Applications will be reviewed as necessary to fill the position

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus at least three years of experience in AI, automation and robotics, electronics, semiconductor technologies, advanced manufacturing, intelligent systems, or related emerging technologies; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered

• Demonstrated experience developing, managing, or supporting technical programs, workforce training initiatives, academic pathways, employer-aligned training solutions, or related applied technology programs

• Experience building and maintaining effective relationships with employers, advisory committees, industry partners, educational partners, community organizations, or other workforce stakeholders

• Strong project management, communication, leadership, and organizational skills, including the ability to coordinate multiple priorities, deadlines, departments, campuses, instructors, students, employers, and external partners

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a related field and five years of relevant industry, workforce development, technical education, community college, K-12, or regional economic development experience

• Experience integrating credit and non-credit programs, professional skills training, stackable credentials, microcredentials, apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, competency-based education, or short-term workforce training

• Experience managing grants, externally funded projects, employer-sponsored training programs, budgets, schedules, assessment, accreditation, curriculum development, student success metrics, or program sustainability

• Knowledge of relevant industry certifications and technologies such as FANUC, NCCER, CompTIA, AWS, ETA, IPC, PLC systems, industrial automation, AI tools, data analytics, cybersecurity fundamentals, or related emerging technologies

• Experience developing or delivering programs across multiple campuses, employer sites, high school partner locations, hybrid formats, or other flexible delivery models

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to translate employer and regional workforce needs into curriculum, training, credentials, equipment plans, learning outcomes, and student employment pathways

• Knowledge of emerging technologies applied technical education, workforce development practices, and regional industry needs in Northwest Arkansas

• Ability to lead strategic planning and daily operations while managing multiple priorities, deadlines, budgets, grants, schedules, and stakeholder expectations

• Ability to build and maintain effective partnerships with employers, school districts, industry groups, chambers, economic development organizations, senior leaders, faculty, students, funders, and community partners

• Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, project management, and leadership skills with a commitment to access, student success, workforce mobility, and career-connected education

Key Performance Indicators:

• Program enrollment, retention, completion, and placement outcomes

• Number and quality of employer partnerships

• Growth in customized training, workshops, credit pathways, and non-credit offerings

• Successful launch or revision of advanced technology programs and credentials

• Employer satisfaction and advisory committee engagement

• Grant funding secured, managed, or supported

• Equipment, lab, and instructional readiness

• Student participation in internships, work-based learning, industry projects, or employment pathways

• Integration of AI, robotics, automation, electronics, and emerging technology skills into relevant programs

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.
While performing the functions of this job, the employee is:
Frequently:
• Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding
• Sitting
• Standing
• Walking
Constantly:
• Hearing
• Repetitive motion
• Talking

The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and/or visual inspection at distances close to the eyes.

Environmental Conditions:
 

The following work environment characteristics are representative of those encountered by employees while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

The work environment typically consists of a professional office setting with a moderate noise level, including sounds from conversations, office equipment, and occasional movement of staff. Lighting is standard for office spaces, and the temperature is controlled to remain within a comfortable range. Employees may occasionally need to visit other areas, such as storage rooms, conference spaces, or outdoor locations, where environmental conditions may vary. Infrequently, exposure to louder noise levels or physical activities, such as moving lightweight materials, might be required.

NWACC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy.