Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters

Executive Director
Progress 360

Based in Philadelphia, PA
(with outreach across relevant service areas)

 

Position Title: Executive Director
Organization: Progress 360 (Carpenters Union Non-Profit)
Location: Philadelphia, PA (with outreach across relevant service areas)
Salary: Up to $125,000 per year
Reports To: Board of Directors

About Progress 360
Progress 360 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to workforce development, community strengthening, and supporting underserved populations, including youth and individuals re-entering the workforce. The organization promotes the building trades as a viable and inspiring career path.

Progress 360 provides direct support to participants — including pre-apprenticeship and soft-skills training, “dress for success” / safety gear (e.g. safety glasses, steel-toe boots, hard hats), rideshare support to remove transportation barriers, and access to workforce housing.

Role Summary
The Executive Director (ED) will lead overall strategy, operations, and growth of Progress 360 — ensuring fulfillment of its mission to uplift underrepresented individuals, strengthen workforce opportunities, and support community and contractor development. The ED will serve as the public face of the organization, lead program development, fundraising and financial sustainability, stakeholder relations, and oversee program delivery.

Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Develop, refine, and implement the long-term strategic plan and annual objectives aligned with the mission of Progress 360.
• Work with the Board of Directors to set organizational priorities, growth goals, and program expansion.
• Monitor and evaluate program impact, outcomes, and organizational performance — ensuring programs remain relevant, effective, and responsive to community needs.

Program Oversight & Delivery

• Oversee existing workforce-training, pre-apprenticeship, contractor-development “bootcamp,” and support services (e.g. safety gear distribution, transportation assistance) to ensure high-quality, equitable access.
• Lead program innovation — identify opportunities for new programs or services (e.g. expanding to other trades, additional support services, partnerships with unions/employers).
• Ensure compliance with all relevant labor, safety, and nonprofit regulations.

Fundraising & Financial Management

• Lead fundraising strategy: cultivate relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporate partners (including construction companies, unions, employers), and government or public funding sources.
• Develop grant applications, manage donor communications, and maintain transparent financial reporting.
• Oversee budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation to support sustainable growth.

Stakeholder & Community Engagement

• Serve as the primary spokesperson for Progress 360: build relationships with unions, community-based organizations, employers, policymakers, and other partners.
• Advocate for labor equity, community benefit agreements, socially responsible hiring, and other workforce justice initiatives.
• Engage with local communities to understand needs, gather feedback, and ensure programs are accessible and culturally competent.

Organizational Leadership & Administration

• Manage staff, volunteers, and contractors: hiring, training, performance oversight, and professional development.
• Ensure operational infrastructure — HR, data tracking, program reporting, compliance, communications, and administration — functions effectively.
• Provide regular reports to the Board of Directors: program performance, financials, needs, and strategy updates.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Demonstrated leadership experience — nonprofit, workforce development, community organization, labor relations, or related fields.
• Strong understanding of workforce development, labor/employment practices, apprenticeships, trades, and issues facing underserved or disadvantaged populations.
• Experience with program development, implementation, and evaluation — ideally with training, pre-apprenticeship or vocational education programs.
• Fundraising skills — grant writing, donor cultivation, corporate and foundation relations, and stewardship.
• Excellent communication, public speaking, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strategic thinking, problem-solving, and capacity to lead through ambiguity.
• Operational and financial management acumen.
• Commitment to equity, social justice, and community empowerment.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with unions, employers, community groups, and other stakeholders.

Why this Role Matters
The Executive Director of Progress 360 will have a significant impact — shaping the paths of individuals who may not otherwise have access to stable, well-paying careers. By expanding access to trades, and advocating for socially responsible development, this role helps transform communities, create equitable opportunity, and uplift individuals who have traditionally been underserved.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Profit Sharing Account
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

To Apply:
Résumés and inquiries should be sent to: aabrantes@progess360.org.