Employer Engagement & Job Quality Manager

About the role

Founded in 1993, Civic Works strengthens communities through education, skills development, and community service. Our Center for Sustainable Careers (CSC) houses our Career Pathways and Career Exploration (YouthBuild) workforce development programs, which expand access to family-sustaining careers for Baltimore residents facing significant barriers to quality employment. CSC supports participants in building technical and soft skills, earning marketable certifications, and accessing wraparound case management and job placement services, while also helping employers adopt practices - including competitive compensation, health benefits, paid leave, and leadership training - that strengthen retention and improve outcomes for employees.

The Employer Engagement & Job Quality Manager leads the development and implementation of employer engagement strategies that support job placement for graduates of Civic Works’ training pathways. The Manager sets placement metrics, holds the Employer Engagement Specialists accountable for meeting them, and embeds Civic Works’ job quality strategies into its work with industry employer partners. The Manager also serves as the career services and employer engagement practice lead for Career Pathways. Through employer partnerships, internal capacity building, and ecosystem engagement, the Manager advances Civic Works’ commitment to expanding access to quality jobs and career pathways for residents who have historically been excluded from employment opportunities, including people impacted by the criminal justice system, housing instability, and other systems, while supporting employers in creating stronger workplaces where all workers can build lasting careers.

Responsibilities

• Staff Management
  • Recruit, supervise, lead, retain, and develop the skills and abilities of the Employer Engagement Specialists.
  • Develop and maintain processes and standard operating procedures that promote consistency, efficiency, and effective team operations.
  • Set day-to-day priorities and measurable performance goals for each Employer Engagement Specialist, including targets for placements, starting wages, new employer partners developed, openings sourced per graduate, and partner engagement for their track, and conduct their performance reviews.
  • Coordinate with each track Program Manager on the Specialist's work with students, including the weekly case review once students are placement-ready, group job search, and post-placement employer check-ins.
  • Identify and support career advancement plans for the Employer Engagement Specialists, including internal and external professional development opportunities.
  • Foster a collaborative, professional team culture grounded in clear expectations, consistent practices, and continuous learning, using data and feedback to improve team effectiveness.
• Employer and Ecosystem Engagement
  • Lead a high-impact employer engagement portfolio, cultivating trusted