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OpenAI is seeking a Workforce Development & Education Manager to build local talent pipelines for data center construction, commissioning, and operations across communities hosting OpenAI infrastructure projects. This role bridges OpenAI's infrastructure teams with education providers and community partners to develop training programs that prepare local residents for skilled technical careers.
You will lead partnerships with community colleges, technical schools, universities, and union apprenticeship programs to design and expand curricula aligned with data center industry needs. Working closely with the local Community Engagement Lead, you will identify workforce gaps, collaborate with technical experts to translate job requirements into learning objectives, and support work-based learning opportunities including apprenticeships and internships.
Key responsibilities include: building and managing relationships with education and workforce partners; partnering with building trades unions and apprenticeship committees; identifying job requirements and skills gaps across construction, commissioning, and operations phases; developing or adapting technical training programs and credential pathways; managing program implementation timelines and partner responsibilities; tracking participation, completion, job placement, and retention metrics; identifying and pursuing workforce grants and funding; representing OpenAI on local workforce advisory councils; and managing program operations and administrative functions.
This is a ground-up program-building role requiring experience operating with ambiguity and scaling responsibly. You will work across multiple stakeholders—educators, public officials, labor representatives, and technical leaders—to create sustainable pathways into skilled trades and technical careers.
Requirements:
- Seven or more years of experience in workforce development, technical education, apprenticeship programs, or education–industry partnerships
- Bachelor's degree in education, instructional design, workforce development, engineering technology, or related field (or equivalent professional experience)
- Experience developing and delivering technical training programs with employers and education providers
- Experience working with trade unions, apprenticeship programs, and labor leaders
- Ability to translate job requirements into clear learning objectives and practical training with technical experts
- Experience managing multi-partner programs with competing priorities and defined deadlines
- Strong written and verbal communication skills across diverse audiences (educators, public officials, labor representatives, technical leaders)
- Experience evaluating program outcomes and using findings to improve delivery
- Experience building successful programs from the ground up with responsible scalability
Preferred:
- Experience in data centers, telecommunications, semiconductor manufacturing, energy, or similar industries with substantial technical workforce needs
- Familiarity with data center-relevant credentials (OSHA 30-hour, NFPA 70E, Schneider Electric DCCA, BICSI cabling, CompTIA, EPA Section 608)
- Experience with workforce funding sources (WIOA programs, apprenticeship grants, state/community college grants)
- Track record helping local residents enter skilled trades through community-based education partnerships
