Director, Stem

Job Title: Director, STEM & Puerto Rico Emerging Workforce Transformation

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (PRSTRT)

Location / Hours: San Juan, Puerto Rico / Full-Time

Type of Contract: Regular Position (Probationary Period)

Overview of the Organization

The Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust ("PRSTRT" or "Trust") is a private non-profit organization created in **** to encourage and promote innovation, transfer, and commercialization of technology and creation of jobs in the technology sector. We contribute to Puerto Rico's public policy for science, technology, research, and development. The Trust's mission is to invest, facilitate and build capacity to continually advance Puerto Rico's economy and its citizens' well-being through innovation-driven enterprises, science, technology, research, and public health. Our vision is that Puerto Rico is a globally recognized innovation hub.

The STEM & Puerto Rico Emerging Workforce Transformation Program reimagines and transforms STEM education and workforce development through strategic partnerships, innovative learning experiences, and public policy advocacy. The program serves students, teachers, and professionals with high-quality, accessible learning opportunities, with the aim of strengthening the island's talent pipeline and meeting the needs of emerging industries and technologies. Its work spans formal and informal education, capacity building, and workforce development to support Puerto Rico's economic growth and competitiveness.

Purpose

The Director, STEM & Puerto Rico Emerging Workforce Transformation leads Puerto Rico's strategy to develop a future-ready STEM workforce by aligning education, industry, government, and innovation ecosystems to prepare students and professionals for careers driven by artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, data science, sustainability, and other emerging technologies.

The Director will position the Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust as the island's leading catalyst for STEM talent development, workforce innovation, and economic competitiveness while building talent pathways from K-12 through professional careers.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Strategic Planning & Policy:

Develop, communicate, and maintain Puerto Rico's five-year STEM & Workforce transformation strategic plan, using best-in-class plans from other jurisdictions as reference to becoming Puerto Rico's: STEM Talent Development, Workforce Foresight, and Innovation Pipeline Organization.
Foster, influence, and participate in the development and deployment of Puerto Rico's Future Workforce Strategy. Enable a statewide workforce foresight activity and identify emerging skills and occupations critical to Puerto Rico's economic growth.
Serve as the Trust's principal liaison with the Puerto Rico Department of Education, Schools and Universities and corporate partners.
Develop workforce dashboards and use labor market intelligence to drive program decisions and measure impact.

Program Development & Delivery:

Design, launch, and support STEM & workforce transformation programs, focus areas: science, biotechnology, AI literacy, technology, data science, robotics, among other programs, summer camps, and in-school activities.
Build Industry-Aligned Talent Pipelines connecting K-12, universities, technical colleges, employers, and workforce partners to create seamless career pathways.
Expand Work-Based Learning Opportunities in areas such as: Registered Apprenticeships, Internships and Industry Projects.

Talento Boricua Project Leadership (STEM):

Serve as the STEM & Emerging Workforce development liaison for Talento Boricua project, setting its scientific and educational direction.
Define the emerging workforce development project pipeline model, assign dedicated resources and collaborate with the project core team in the strategic goals.
Coordinate with partner institutions, employers, and government agencies so that project activities are complementary and avoid duplication.
Ensure program design is evidence-based and draws on national and international best practices STEM education and emerging workforce transformation.

Funding & Partnerships:

Secure funding for STEM & emerging workforce transformation programs by researching and submitting proposals to foundations, corporate entities, and federal agencies, involving partners as appropriate.
Develop compelling narratives that support funding goals, working with the Trust's grants team and other internal and external contributors.
Coordinate collaborative efforts and partnerships to improve student outcomes.
Drive Workforce Innovation Partnerships establishing high-impact collaborations among:
Industry, Government, Universities, School Systems, Federal Agencies, STEM focus professional organiza