Website Northwest Arkansas Council

Executive Director

Northwest Arkansas Council

The Northwest Arkansas Council is a nonprofit dedicated to advancing economic opportunity, workforce development, infrastructure, healthcare and quality of life in the region. With generous support from the Walton Family Foundation, the NWA Council is now incubating a new regional intermediary workforce organization with the mission of aligning education-to-workforce systems with the region’s economic growth and talent development needs.

About the Organization

For over 30 years, the Northwest Arkansas (NWA) Council has helped shape the development of the NWA region to improve livability and economic prosperity. Established by Sam Walton, Don Tyson, J.B. Hunt, and other business leaders, we are a private, nonprofit organization working to advance job opportunities, talent recruitment, physical infrastructure, health care, and quality of life. Most of the Council’s more than 100 members are companies, including Walmart, Tyson Foods, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., Simmons Foods and George’s, Inc.

Northwest Arkansas is experiencing dynamic growth in both its population and regional economy, spurred in large part by the development and expansion of regional businesses and industries. While the region’s growth creates new and exciting opportunities, it also brings challenges, one of which is a talent gap. Employers in NWA report difficulties in finding additional qualified workers to fill new job openings. At the same time, many NWA residents do not possess the necessary skills or credentials needed for entry to or advancement in existing careers. This talent gap ultimately makes it harder for businesses to expand and for residents and communities to prosper. If left unaddressed, the talent gap will represent a long-term economic loss for both employers and communities in the region.

Beginning in December 2024, an advisory committee of NWA regional leaders and partners met to consider the needs of Northwest Arkansas’ education to workforce system and identify strategies to expand access to high quality learner pathways. In May 2025, the committee submitted its final recommendation: the establishment of a formal regional intermediary organization for NWA charged with facilitating and leveraging collaboration among employers, education and training providers (K-12, postsecondary, and adult), and other community partners to support an education to workforce system that drives economic prosperity for businesses and residents.

With support from the Walton Family Foundation, the NWA Council is moving forward with the advisory committee’s recommendation and incubating a new regional intermediary workforce organization to coordinate talent development efforts and partnerships with area employers, education and training providers, and nonprofits and community-based organizations. This new Northwest Arkansas Regional Workforce Intermediary (NARWI) will serve as the hub for high-quality and data-informed pathways from education to employment, with a focus on sustainable-wage occupations and inclusive regional prosperity.

What You’ll Do

The NWA Council seeks an Executive Director to serve as the founding leader of NARWI. This individual will be responsible for launching and operationalizing the organization, convening and coordinating regional partners, developing and implementing a shared vision for regional success, and ensuring long-term impact and sustainability. The ED will initially be housed at the NWA Council during the organization’s incubation phase.

Who You’ll Work With

You will report to the President & CEO of the NWA Council, with a dotted line to the COO, during NARWI’s incubation phase. You will also frequently collaborate with NWA Council staff. The Executive Director’s primary responsibilities fall into 5 major categories:

1. Strategic Leadership

Develop and implement strategic vision and operational plans for the regional intermediary, building NARWI from the ground up
Lead cross-sector stakeholder engagement to build consensus around shared goals
Represent the organization externally with employers, education leaders, and policymakers
Advocate for policies that enhance pathway access, funding, and sustainability

2. Organizational Management

Build organizational infrastructure including governance, policies, and operational systems
Recruit and manage board or advisory members, and key staff positions
Oversee program development, implementation, and quality assurance
Ensure compliance with legal, financial, and regulatory requirements

3. Partnership Development

Cultivate strategic relationships with regional leaders and organizations including employers, K-12 school districts, postsecondary institutions, and community partners
Facilitate partnership agreements and coordinate collaborative initiatives
Serve as primary liaison between education providers and regional employers
Convene regular stakeholder meetings and collaborative planning sessions
Diversify revenue by building philanthropic partnerships and securing appropriate government grants

4. Resource Development & Sustainability

Secure funding from philanthropic, government, and private sector sources
Develop and implement diversified revenue model for long-term sustainability
Manage organizational budget and financial operations
Track and report return on investment for all stakeholders

5. Program Coordination, Quality, and Success

Oversee design and launch of career pathway programs and work-based learning opportunities
Establish data collection systems and performance metrics
Monitor program outcomes and drive continuous improvement
Ensure equitable access to opportunities across all regional populations

Required Skills and Experience

10+ years progressive experience in workforce development, education, or related fields; experience working in entrepreneurial, start-up contexts or new initiatives is a plus
Track record of leading a diverse set of stakeholders around a shared vision and building enduring partnerships
Experience securing philanthropic gifts and grants
Demonstrated success in developing and managing complex education and/or workforce projects or programs
Experience managing multi-stakeholder initiatives and relationships, particularly in education to workforce system or program contexts
Familiarity with education and workforce systems, funding sources (e.g., WIOA), and economic development tools
Fluency and comfort with analysis and interpretation of data; ability to engage meaningfully with data
Well-rounded interpersonal skillset, with the presence and capacity to build relationships, work effectively in teams, and engage in productive problem-solving
Ability to travel regionally as needed

Additional Details

The Executive Director of NARWI must live within commutable distance of Northwest Arkansas or relocate to the region. Generous relocation and onboarding support will be provided. For more information on the region and its unique communities, visit Finding NWA.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $200K – $225K annually. Additionally, the NWA Council offers a comprehensive benefits package and generous relocation support.

Benefits

Employer-sponsored health insurance is covered at 100% for employees

Employer-sponsored vision & dental insurance, covered at 100% for employees

12 paid holidays and up to 120 hours PTO, to begin accruing immediately.

Employer-sponsored basic life insurance, with additional voluntary Life/AD&D insurance options available

401K retirement plan with up to 5% employer match

Employer-provided technology such as laptop, software, and cell phone

Generous reimbursement for relocation expenses

Equal Employment Opportunity

The NWA Council is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, or current employment status.

To apply for this job please visit www.on-ramps.com.

Executive Director ($200,000 – $225,000)