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Director of Automotive Academy
Department: Workforce Development
Reports to: VP of Industry Engagement
FLSA Status: Exempt
Supervises: 1-5
Apply here: https://hcm.paycor.com/l/r/04BED204
Summary: The Automotive Academy Director/Instructor is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of Guadalupe Centers’ Automotive Academy, including program performance, instruction, and partnership development. This role combines administrative leadership with hands-on teaching to ensure high-quality training, student success, and sustainable growth. The Director/Instructor develops and delivers comprehensive automotive training programs, oversees key performance metrics such as enrollment, certificate attainment, and career placement, and fosters strong relationships with local employers and sponsors to create career pathways for students.
Essential duties and responsibilities:
Program Leadership & Performance
- Lead and oversee the achievement and performance of key monthly metrics related to the Automotive Academy, including student enrollment, program outcomes, certificate completions, and career placements.
- Monitor and manage program finances, including review of monthly P&L statements, budgeting, and resource allocation to ensure program sustainability.
- Develop strategies for continuous improvement and growth of the academy.
- Develop, deliver, and assess comprehensive, hands-on automotive training programs aligned with industry standards.
- Incorporate the latest industry trends, tools, and technologies into curriculum and instructional practices.
- Evaluate student performance and provide constructive feedback to support learning and professional growth.
- Maintain a safe, engaging, and inclusive learning environment.
- Build and maintain relationships with key automotive employers, industry sponsors, and community partners.
- Collaborate with partners on training program development, equipment acquisitions, funding opportunities, and employment pathways for graduates.
- Represent the Automotive Academy at community and industry events to promote awareness and collaboration.
- Provide mentorship and guidance to students and academy staff, fostering a supportive and motivating learning environment.
- Collaborate with academic advisors, instructors, and career placement staff to ensure students receive comprehensive support and achieve successful employment outcomes.
- Assist with student career readiness activities, including resume development, interview preparation, and job placement coordination.
Professional Development
- Participate in ongoing professional development to stay current with best practices in automotive instruction, workforce development, and career placement initiatives.
- Engage in continuous learning to ensure program content remains aligned with current industry standards and employer needs.
Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Qualifications:
- Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Automotive Technology or a related field.
- ASE Master Technician Certification required.
- Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in the automotive industry, including work as a technician, instructor, and/or leader.
- Proven instructional, training, or teaching experience, with the ability to explain complex concepts clearly and effectively.
- Demonstrated leadership, recruiting, and mentoring abilities.
- Strong communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal.
- Proficiency with automotive diagnostic tools, software, and emerging technologies.
- Experience in curriculum development, instructional enhancement, and student performance evaluation.
- Knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, and program or departmental performance management (KPI tracking).
- Ability to work effectively with a diverse population of students, staff, and community partners.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
- Must be able to pass background checks and drug screening as required by program standards.
- Master’s degree in Automotive Technology, Education, or a related field.
- Active membership in one or more professional automotive organizations (e.g., ASE, NATEF, I-CAR, or similar).
- Experience in workforce development programs or partnerships with community-based organizations.
- Demonstrated success in building employer partnerships and career placement initiatives.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
- Passion for student success and community impact aligned with the mission and values of Guadalupe Centers.
Physical Requirements
This position requires the ability to stand, walk, bend, crouch, and lift as part of daily instructional and training activities. The individual must be able to lift or move up to 50 pounds of tools, parts, or equipment as necessary. Frequent use of hands and arms is required to handle automotive tools, operate diagnostic equipment, and demonstrate repair techniques. The role also requires visual acuity to inspect vehicles and components, including close vision, distance vision, color vision, and depth perception. The Director/Instructor must be able to safely operate motor vehicles and training equipment as part of the instructional process. Administrative duties involve occasional sitting and computer use. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Work Environment
Work is performed in both classroom and automotive shop settings, where the individual may be exposed to typical automotive conditions such as noise, odors, and the use of tools and machinery. The position may occasionally require work outdoors or in varying temperatures depending on the facility setup. The work environment includes exposure to moderate to high noise levels, mechanical equipment, and occasional fumes or airborne particles. Administrative and planning tasks are typically performed in a standard office environment. This position requires strict adherence to all safety procedures and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). The role may also require occasional evening or weekend hours to meet program, recruitment, or partnership needs.
Equal Opportunity Employer
GCI is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, creed, ancestry, age, sex, gender, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, disability, genetic information, veteran status, service member status or any other category protected by federal, state or local law. Preventing discrimination is the responsibility of every employee in the way employees treat and interact with one another. Therefore, GCI expects all work relations to be business-like and professional, free of bias, prejudice, harassment, and/or discrimination.
GCI's policy of Equal Opportunity extends to all conditions of employment including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, placement, training, compensation, discipline, transfers, separation, layoff, recall, leave of absence, and promotion. GCI will not tolerate any discrimination in the workplace, and it is expected that any employee who believes they have been subjected to any practice that appears to be inconsistent with this policy will contact Human Resources. Improper interference with the ability of GCI's employees to perform their expected job duties is not tolerated.
GCI encourages reporting incidents or concerns regarding discrimination to the Director of Human Resources, so that prompt and constructive action can be taken. According to this policy, there will be no retaliation or adverse action against an employee for raising an issue or complaint. The report will be investigated to determine what if any, responsive action is necessary and appropriate. Any employee found responsible for an inappropriate or discriminatory act will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including separation.
Job Type: Full Time
Salary Range: $50,000 - 74,999,$75,000 - 99,999
