BRENDA S. THOMPSON
Charlotte,NC
Summary
Performance-driven Vice President with 25 years of experience aligning systems with business requirements, policies and regulatory requirements. Passionate about applying excellent organization and communication skills to manage and lead teams. Results-oriented individual well-versed in interfacing and consulting on business processes to drive results based on sound overall business judgment.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Vice President, Workforce Development
Urban League of Central Carolinas
08.2023 - Current
- Driving strategic workforce development initiatives and partnerships in the state's network of employers and training providers in Urban League of Central Carolinas' service area
- Including:
- Set 2023-2024 Schedule of Courses
- Provide workforce division project plans for each course
- Provide clear workflow for processes critical to successfully meeting metrics and the obligation of funders
- Establish the cadence of reporting and necessary team oversight to insure the timeliness of reports due to funders
- Serve as the Vice President of Workforce Development as the primary point of contact in managing workforce programs Secure partnerships with key employer partners in the region as well as manage and successfully executive Urban League of Central Carolina's training programs
- Oversee the workforce development team which may include building out additional roles Collaborate with other ULCC pillar leads/teammates to provide the integration of the workforce Participate in pursuing funding and grants to secure resources for the sustainability of the workforce initiatives Develop and execute a workforce development strategy that aligns with ULCC’s mission and exceeds funders expectations and desired outcomes
- Employer engagement and relationship management Concept development, implementation, and oversight of ULCC seminars, training programs, and other career related programing and services
- Maintain bottom line responsibility for department programs and projects, including budgeting, revenue sources and expense monitoring
- Establish relationships with program partners and community-based organizations for the purpose of identifying partnerships and opportunities for job seekers Represent ULCC at industry events, panels, committees, etc
- Ability to perform in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to manage and work with others in a team environment.
- Cultivated strong relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, vendors, regulators, and community leaders to promote collaboration and long-term success.
- Led cross-functional teams for the successful completion of major projects, resulting in increased efficiency and client satisfaction.
- Demonstrated proficient leadership skills to motivate employees and build competent teams.
- Collaborated with senior management to develop strategic initiatives and long term goals.
- Negotiated high-value contracts that maximized profitability while mitigating risks for the organization.
- Established performance goals for department and provided methods for reaching milestones.
- Established performance goals for department and outlined processes for achievement.
- Managed financial planning and budgeting processes, ensuring fiscal responsibility and maximizing return on investments.
- Developed new revenue streams by identifying growth opportunities and forging strategic partnerships with key industry players.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement, fostering innovation and driving sustainable growth across the organization.
- Identified opportunities to improve business process flows and productivity.
- Leveraged technology to automate workflows and streamline processes, resulting in increased productivity and cost savings across the organization.
- Monitored industry trends, keeping current on latest changes and competition in industry.
- Clarified roles, responsibilities and expectations of staff.
- Enhanced company profitability by implementing strategic business plans and optimizing operational processes.
Workforce Partnerships Director
Radius Group
05.2023 - 07.2023
- Serving as the Workforce Partnerships Director with responsibility for driving partnerships with a network of employers and training providers in the Charlotte region
- Acting as a liaison within an existing network of organizations formed through the Charlotte Executive Leadership Council (CELC)
- Function as the key leader within a multi-year project supported by the CELC, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Radius Group
- Monitored and coordinated workflows to optimize resources.
- Established departmental performance goals and provided feedback for underperforming areas.
- Improved project efficiency with strategic planning, resource allocation, and time management practices.
- Formed strategic partnerships and connected with potential clients to drive business development.
- Leveraged professional networks and industry knowledge to strengthen client relationships.
- Spearheaded innovative approaches to resource allocation and strategic planning.
- Participating employers include Bank of America, Duke Energy, Atrium Health, Novant, Truist, Wells Fargo, Ally, Coca-Cola Consolidated, and other leading businesses in the region
- The goal of the project is to expand the scale of training programs for jobs in demand
- The project was designed with a mission to expand opportunities for low-income residents by improving the region’s capacity for workforce development.
Senior Regional Workforce Development Manager
MedCerts
01.2020 - 01.2023
- MedCerts is a national online career training school providing training leading to national certifications in Healthcare, Information Technology and Project Management
- Provide effective management of growth and expansion of MedCerts initiatives that are cross-functional in nature but have a core in the mission and grow new business
- Develop and implement integrated strategies, to foster and manage relationships with Academic Institutions, Workforce Investment Boards, American Job Centers, corporations and non-profit organizations as well as government agencies
- Leveraged data analytics tools to track program outcomes, utilizing insights to make informed decisions about resource allocation and strategic planning.
- Launched successful apprenticeship programs that combined classroom instruction with hands-on experience, increasing participant readiness for skilled employment positions.
- Implemented tailored employee development plans, resulting in improved overall performance and job satisfaction.
- Developed innovative recruitment strategies to attract diverse talent pools and increase the number of qualified candidates.
- Enhanced workforce development programs by identifying skills gaps and aligning training with industry needs.
- Established partnerships with local businesses to create customized on-the-job training opportunities, leading to increased employability for program participants.
- Negotiated agreements with external service providers for cost-effective solutions that supported operational goals without compromising quality standards.
- Created solution-based strategies and processes to meet and exceed revenue goals and metrics
- Increased revenue goals by 80% year over year in designated territories utilizing a consultative approach with workforce partners resulting in over $6 million revenue attainment in designated territories for the Workforce team
- Conceptualize and develop potential new ideas/opportunities for improvements or new business proactively assessing the impact of emerging talent needs, competition and competitive trends/benchmarks
- Create business plans for selling workforce development programs, including workforce readiness, retention services and upskilling training to employers, implement program and secure corporate clients as a source to generate earned revenue exceeded annual goals for two years
- Sourced and maintained strategic alliances with diverse channel partners while increasing sales pipeline while offering additional programs and services for additional channels
- Track and manage accounts in Salesforce by documenting progress during the sales cycle including regional and national contract renewals yearly with Regional Boards.
Career Services Placement Director
MyComputerCareer
01.2019 - 01.2020
- MyComputerCareer offers technical education to prepare students for a career in Information Technology by providing opportunities for students to earn industry certifications such as Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certifications, CompTIA A+, Microsoft Certified, Linux Essentials and many others
- Created new corporate partnerships with regional and national employers to maintain a steady flow of job leads in the technology industry with partners like Mecklenburg County Government, Duke Energy, Spectrum, Mecklenburg County Police Department Cyber Crimes Division and others
- Responsible for recruiting and development of prospective candidates, including interviewing skills, networking, and resume development in preparation for employment locally and nationally Conducted student talent assessments to align talents and market with pipeline of job leads
- Interviewed new students to obtain employment history, education and assist to establish career goals
- Collaborated with employer partners in development of training plans and reporting metrics and exceeding annual placement goal of 85%
- Developed processes and procedures for new hire process as it aligns with workforce needs of clients.
- Proactively identified potential risks and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize negative impacts on projects or business operations.
- Increased company revenue by streamlining processes and implementing cost-saving measures.
- Secured key partnerships that contributed to the company''s overall growth strategy and market reach.
Education and Training Director
Riley Power Group
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Valor Into Purpose was the training arm of Riley Power Group with a 16-week intensive training program targeting transitioning soldiers, veterans and the local community focused on the welding, nuclear, petrochemical and industrial and construction craft industries including budget oversight
- Achieved approval for Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Fort Bragg to train transitioning service members as well as veterans in the area
- Project manager for approval process for funding from local workforce boards for training on the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL)
- Partnered with local organizations and granted approval for proprietary school in Virginia from the State Council of Higher Education of Virginia (SCHEV)
- Established a Registered Apprenticeship Program for Riley Power Group in North Carolina and Virginia as well as approval from the State Approving Agency for veterans to use GI Bill benefits for training.
- Managed budgets for all training activities, ensuring cost-effective delivery without sacrificing quality or impact.
- Organized and edited training manuals, multimedia visual aids, and other educational materials.
Vice Chancellor of Workforce Development and Enterprise Services
Central Louisiana Technical Community College
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Acted as the college’s Chief Business, Workforce, Economic and Community Development Officer
- Responsible for providing leadership, strategic direction and management for the effective administration of the Workforce Development and Enterprise Services Division for a multi-campus institution
- Provided oversight and management of a $2.7 million and Manufacturing and $2 million Transportation Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) Grant Program to address workforce and training needs in Central Louisiana by the implementation of a Manufacturing Center of Excellence
- Worked with local manufacturers to implement customized training and apprenticeship programs for manufacturers
- Secured educational partnership with Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) and Fort Polk in Leesville, LA to offer training for transitioning soldiers prior as well as worked with employer partners to secure employment for the soldiers
- Partnered with Bechtel and Cheniere to establish the Craft Development Program for transitioning service members in collaboration with Garrison Commander at Fort Polk to determine program guidelines and criteria
- Implemented strategic business development plan for training opportunities with major corporations such as Proctor and Gamble, RoyOMartin, Crest Industries, DIS-TRAN, UTLX, Universal Plant Services, and Hayes Industries
- Launched $1 million Manufacturing Training Center and partnered with industry to create an Operator and Maintenance Apprenticeship Training Program along with other customized training.
- Streamlined processes for grant applications and reporting, ensuring timely submission and compliance with funding requirements.
- Advised policymakers on workforce development issues, contributing expert knowledge to influence the design of effective public policies that addressed local labor market needs.
- Collaborated with educational institutions and industry partners to develop relevant curricula that prepared learners for in-demand occupations.
Education
Master of Business Administration -
Strayer University
Washington, DCBachelor of Arts - Economics/Business Administration
Tougaloo College
Tougaloo, MSUnited States Army Reserve
Skills
- Team Leadership
- Relationship Building
- Decision-Making
- Critical Thinking
- Client Relationship Building
- Strategic Planning
- Business Development
- Documentation And Reporting
- Process Improvement
- Partnerships and Affiliations
Certification
- Certified Workforce Developer, State of Louisiana
- Human Resources Management Certificate, 2012
Associations
- National Association of Professional Women (NAPW)
- Carolina Cardinals Optimist Club, Vice President
- Bunk 57 Ministries, Board Chair
LA Workforce Commission - Certified Workforce Developer
Participated in a leadership development program for workforce development professionals from local Louisiana community colleges
Timeline
Vice President, Workforce Development
Urban League of Central Carolinas
08.2023 - Current
Workforce Partnerships Director
Radius Group
05.2023 - 07.2023
Senior Regional Workforce Development Manager
MedCerts
01.2020 - 01.2023
Career Services Placement Director
MyComputerCareer
01.2019 - 01.2020
Education and Training Director
Riley Power Group
01.2017 - 01.2018
Vice Chancellor of Workforce Development and Enterprise Services
Central Louisiana Technical Community College
01.2014 - 01.2016
Master of Business Administration -
Strayer University
Bachelor of Arts - Economics/Business Administration
Tougaloo College
United States Army Reserve
- Certified Workforce Developer, State of Louisiana
- Human Resources Management Certificate, 2012
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