Director, Critical Infrastructure Instructor Development

Job description

ABOUT PER SCHOLAS: For 30 years, Per Scholas has been on a mission to drive mobility and opportunity in the ever-advancing technology landscape by unlocking the untapped potential of individuals, uplifting communities, and meeting the needs of employers through rigorous tech training. By teaming up with dynamic employer partners, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups, we're forging inclusive tech talent pipelines, fulfilling an ever-increasing need for skilled talent. With national remote training and campuses in 20+ cities and counting, Per Scholas offers no-cost training programs in the most sought-after tech skills, spanning Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data Engineering, IT Support, Software Engineering, and more. To date, 30,000+ individuals have been trained through Per Scholas, propelling their professional trajectories into high-growth tech careers with salaries three times higher than their pre-training earnings. Learn more by visiting PerScholas.org and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Per Scholas preferred hires reside within the following states: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, MD, MA, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX, WA Department: Instructor Development & Quality Assurance (IDQA) Position: Director, IT & Critical Infrastructure Instructor Development Reports to: Sr. Director, Instructor Academy Location: National, with occasional travel to on-premises training locations SUMMARY The Director, IT & Critical Infrastructure Instructor Development serves as a department lead within the L&D branch of the Instructor Development & Quality Assurance (IDQA) team and is responsible for the training, development, readiness, and quality assurance of instructional staff supporting Per Scholas's IT and Critical Infrastructure programs. This role serves as the organization's primary technical training and instructor development leader across Data Center Operations, Low Voltage / Structured Cabling & Fiber Optics, and Critical Facilities career tracks. The Director combines hands-on technical expertise with strong facilitation, coaching, and instructor development capabilities to ensure instructors are prepared to deliver high-quality, industry-aligned technical training. The Director directly manages a Manager of Instructional Development & Delivery while remaining actively involved in technical training, Train-the-Trainer (TTT), instructor coaching, skills validation, program launches, and high-priority instructor readiness initiatives. This individual serves as the bridge between curriculum design, instructional delivery, workforce expectations, and operational execution. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Leadership & Instructor Development • Serve as the senior technical training leader for the portfolio, balancing functional leadership with hands-on instructor training, technical coaching, and development. • Establish training standards and processes that support instructional excellence across technical pathways. • Directly manage and mentor a Manager of Instructional Development & Delivery. • Design and oversee instructor onboarding, technical training, certification, Train-the-Trainer, and ongoing professional development pathways. • Establish instructor competency standards, readiness assessments, and launch-readiness processes. • Assess and validate instructor technical and instructional proficiency through hands-on skills evaluations, observations, coaching, and targeted development plans. • Develop instructor resources, technical guides, lab activities, and support tools for hands-on and equipment-based learning environments. • Deliver and support instructor onboarding programs, including Universal Basic Training (UBT). • Travel to training locations nationwide to facilitate instructor training, technical skills validation, quality assurance activities, and launch support. Technical Training & Readiness • Facilitate and support technical instructor training across Data Center Operations, Low Voltage / Fiber Optics Technician, and Critical Facilities pathways. • Validate hands-on instructor competency in applicable areas such as; server and network hardware, rack-and-stack operations, virtualization, structured cabling, fiber termination and testing, electrical and mechanical systems, power and cooling, building systems, and structured troubleshooting. • Support pilot programs, new program launches, and instructor readiness initiatives through direct training, coaching, co-teaching, and technical support. • Ensure instructors understand and consistently apply applicable safety, equipment, and operational requirements. • Identify technical capability gaps and develop scalable training solutions that strengthen instructor performance. Quality Assurance & Performance Improvement • Conduct classroom observations, instructional audits, technical skills reviews, and readiness assessments. • Monitor instructor performance and relevant program metrics and implement targeted interventions to improve instructional effectiveness and learner outcomes. • Identify instructional risks, technical skill gaps, and systemic challenges and develop solutions that strengthen program quality. • Provide ongoing coaching and development to instructors requiring additional technical or instructional support. Campus Support & Cross-Functional Collaboration • Partner with the Curriculum Solutions & Educational Technology teams, site leadership, and operational stakeholders to align instructor development with curriculum, program goals, and workforce expectations. • Support new program implementations and pathway expansions by evaluating instructor readiness and developing appropriate training strategies. • Provide technical and instructor-development expertise during curriculum and program design. • Provide instructional coverage for IT and Critical Infrastructure programs when necessary to ensure continuity of training QUALIFICATIONS Required Experience • 8+ years of combined exper