<![CDATA[ABSTRACT Work readiness among vocational high school (SMK) graduates requires schools to align learning, competency development, and partnerships with the business and industrial sectors (DUDI) with the dynamic demands of the labor market. This condition requires school principals to identify internal and external conditions and translate them into adaptive strategies. This study aims to analyze the design and implementation of the leadership strategy of the principal of SMKN 1 Pringgabaya based on a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis to improve graduates’ work readiness. This study employed a qualitative approach with a case study design. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation involving the principal, vice principal, department heads, productive subject teachers, Bursa Kerja Khusus (BKK) administrators, students, alumni, and DUDI partners. Data were analyzed using the interactive model of Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña, supported by source and technique triangulation. The findings show that the SO strategy strengthens DUDI partnerships, teaching factory, and PKL; the WO strategy improves teacher competence and practical facilities; the ST strategy strengthens work culture and soft skills; while the WT strategy optimizes tracer study and program evaluation. The synthesis of the findings produces Adaptive SWOT-Based Vocational Leadership as the novelty of this study, explaining adaptive leadership through continuous condition mapping, strategy formulation, implementation, and evaluation to strengthen graduates’ work readiness. ABSTRAK Kesiapan kerja lulusan Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan (SMK) menuntut sekolah menyesuaikan pembelajaran, pengembangan kompetensi, dan kemitraan dengan dunia usaha dan dunia industri (DUDI) terhadap kebutuhan dunia kerja yang dinamis. Kondisi tersebut membutuhkan kepemimpinan kepala sekolah yang mampu membaca kondisi internal dan eksternal serta menerjemahkannya ke dalam strategi adaptif. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis perancangan dan implementasi strategi kepemimpinan kepala SMKN 1 Pringgabaya berdasarkan analisis Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) untuk meningkatkan kesiapan kerja lulusan. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan desain studi kasus. Data diperoleh melalui wawancara, observasi, dan dokumentasi yang melibatkan kepala sekolah, wakil kepala sekolah, ketua jurusan, guru produktif, pengelola Bursa Kerja Khusus (BKK), siswa, alumni, dan mitra DUDI. Analisis data menggunakan model interaktif Miles, Huberman, dan Saldaña dengan triangulasi sumber dan teknik. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa strategi SO memperkuat kemitraan DUDI, teaching factory, dan PKL; WO meningkatkan kompetensi guru dan sarana praktik; ST memperkuat budaya kerja dan soft skills; sedangkan WT mengoptimalkan tracer study dan evaluasi program. Sintesis temuan menghasilkan Adaptive SWOT-Based Vocational Leadership sebagai kebaruan penelitian yang menjelaskan kepemimpinan adaptif melalui pemetaan kondisi, penetapan strategi, implementasi, dan evaluasi berkelanjutan untuk memperkuat kesiapan kerja lulusan.]]>
