Employer Engagement Manager

Location: 350 Church Street, 10th Floor / Hartford, CT 06103 Salary Range: $70,000–$85,000 Are you a dynamic relationship-builder dedicated to bridging the gap between untapped student potential and local industry? ReadyCT is looking for a strategic employer engagement program manager to champion employer recruitment and cultivate high-quality internships. Your impact will transform business partnerships into direct employment pathways for Connecticut’s youth in ways that help to build and sustain a youth-centric, thriving talent pipeline across the state. WHO WE ARE: ReadyCT is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing academic excellence and career-connected learning for all Connecticut public school students. We design and deliver innovative career readiness programs that intentionally bridge the gap between K-12 education and the employers who will one day welcome graduates into the workforce. As an affiliate of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA), ReadyCT works closely with business leaders to expand real‑world opportunities for students and strengthen Connecticut’s future workforce. ABOUT THE ROLE: As a key member of the career pathways team, the employer engagement program manager will ensure program participants connect with meaningful work-based learning opportunities that align with their career aspirations. In this role, you’ll oversee employer recruitment, strategic partnership development, and the curation of high-quality internships, while driving an initiative that supports direct employment pathways for high school students. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and wants their work to contribute to broader workforce impact. The employer engagement program manager will collaborate closely with a diverse network of Hartford area stakeholders, serving as the main point of contact for industry partners, K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and community organizations. You are not a siloed worker. You are energized by a multifaceted role and inspired by circumstances that require you to quickly pivot from pitching a local business to tracking student progress to brainstorming with an advisory group, and beyond. WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO THE ROLE:  A passion for education and developing the potential of ALL students. A bachelor's degree (required); master’s degree or higher (preferred).Direct experience with navigating multiple partnerships/stakeholder groups, with a focus on building relationships with Hartford-area employers to host interns.Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. Excellent organizational and project management skills and record of delivering on-time results.Strong attention to detail.Active listening and strong facilitation skills. Strong interpersonal skills and the capacity to build new relationships with a wide range of stakeholders across all demographics.The ability to work independently and collaborate with a team, as circumstances dictate.Comfort with and aptitude for learning new technology systems.Demonstrated ability to multi-task and deliver quality work.Ability to adapt to new situations and remain customer-focused. The persistence and resourcefulness to do whatever it takes to get the job done. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:  Ability to travel frequently across Connecticut for meetings and events.Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite. Experience with Salesforce or a related CRM system.Experience with Jira and other Atlassian products (preferred). Strong ability to balance strategic thinking with day-to-day operational needs.Ability to perform the essential functions of this role as described below. This is a grant-funded position that qualifies for ReadyCT benefits and is renewable contingent upon continued funding.  WHAT YOU’LL DO:  Specific responsibilities of the employer engagement program manager include:  Recruiting local employers to host interns throughout the greater Hartford region, supporting multiple districts as measured with specified key performance indicators.In collaboration with the program team, informing the overall design, strategy, participant experience, staff experience, and scale-up of career pathway programming. Leading employer recruitment efforts to develop high-quality internship experiences for program participants, with the goal of securing and placing at least 100 successful internships per year.Advancing an employer advisory group and contributing in brainstorming and troubleshooting conversations that help to increase participant and employer engagement and retention.Cultivating and maintaining positive working relationships with key partners across Connecticut, including the Office of Workforce Strategy, the five workforce development boards (WDBs), and local chambers of commerce, among others.Establishing and maintaining strong referral partnerships with sector-based training providers and credentialing programs.Developing, curating, and sustaining a dynamic and responsive menu of high-quality learning experiences and activities to support the successful implementation of participant career launch plans.Working closely with career pathway program managers on the development and implementation of key partnerships with sector-based training/credentialing providers.Developing systems to maintain a streamlined process for program participants and employer partners to monitor internship experiences to ensure program goals are met.Tracking the progress and status of program participants throughout the duration of the program using both internal and external platforms.Supporting ongoing data collection, reporting, and analysis.Coordinating and assisting with ongoing program evaluation; using evaluation/data to inform continuous improvement of the WBL program design and delivery.Consistently seeking out or identifying career resources that provide student support and staff development opportunities. In addition, the employer engagement program manager is expected to collaborate with ReadyCT staff by: Promoting other ReadyCT programs and/or activities that complement the career pathways program.Participating and engaging in standing team meetings, professional development, and ReadyCT strategic planning conversations.Participating in CBIA & Affiliates meetings and events, as required. This job description is intended to be a comprehensive overview of the employer engagement program manager. All ReadyCT team members are charged with other duties, as assigned.  WHY JOIN READYCT: ReadyCT offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, generous paid time off, and meaningful opportunities for professional growth. Most importantly, you’ll have the chance to make a lasting impact on students and communities across Connecticut. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences who share our commitment to equity and to expanding career-connected learning opportunities for every student. readyCT.org ReadyCT is an equal opportunity employer. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Beyond core professional duties, the role requires specific physical capacities to maintain operational continuity. The team member must be able to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for 75% to 100% of a workday while utilizing computer monitors, keyboards, and other office technology. The role requires the physical ability to frequently move about the office to access closets, office machinery, and collaborative spaces. Many tasks require in-person function.Individuals must possess the manual dexterity to handle paper documents and operate standard office equipment. Essential functions include the ability to lift, carry, or move office supplies and materials weighing up to 30 lbs. (such as boxes of paper or marketing materials).This role requires significant physical mobility and stamina to accommodate external engagement. The team member must be capable of frequently traversing large business and school campuses, which often includes navigating stairs, ramps, and uneven outdoor walkways between buildings. The role requires the ability to stand and move for 3+ hours at a time while involved in programming or ReadyCT events.Consistent travel to multiple locations is required; therefore, team members must be able to operate a motor vehicle and manage the physical demands of loading and unloading materials in varying weather conditions.