Employer Relations Specialist, Level Up! (51744)

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Securing potential employer partners across various industries, with particular focus on sectors aligned with workforce development program training areas.
• Conducting outreach to employers through cold calling, networking events, industry conferences, and professional associations to establish new partnerships.
• Building and maintaining a comprehensive database of employer partners, including contact information, hiring needs, job requirements, and partnership status.
• Creating and managing a robust referral pipeline by matching program participants with appropriate job opportunities based on their skills, interests, and career goals.
• Cooking participant referrals with the career coaches especially to employer partners, including preparing participants for interviews and facilitating the application process.
• Tracking and documenting all referral outcomes, including interview results, job placements, retention rates, and reasons for unsuccessful placements.
• Maintaining regular communication with employer partners to nurture relationships, address concerns, gather feedback, and identify additional opportunities.
• Conducting annual reviews of employer partnerships to evaluate placement success rates, participant satisfaction, success stories, employer feedback, and alignment with program goals and contract metrics.
• Making data-driven recommendations on whether to continue, expand, or discontinue partnerships based on annual review outcomes.
• Monitoring and sharing local and regional labor market trends, including in-demand skills, growing industries, wage information, and employment projections.
• Organizing and facilitating employer engagement activities such as job fairs, networking events, employer panels, and workplace tours.
• Collaborating with Career Coaches and program staff to understand participant skills, readiness levels, and support needs to ensure successful placements.
• Maintaining accurate records and documentation in compliance with program requirements and funder expectations.
• Representing the organization professionally at industry events, business forums, and community meetings.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated professional experience in employer relations, business development, or workforce development partnerships required.
• Strong sales or relationship-building skills with the ability to prospect, pitch, and close partnerships, required.
• Knowledge of local labor market trends, industry sectors, and workforce development best practices.
• Exceptional organization and database management skills with attention to detail in tracking outcomes and maintaining records.
• Able to work independently to achieve placement goals while collaborating effectively with program staff.
• Able to analyze data and make strategic recommendations based on partnership performance metrics.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present professionally to diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to maintain positive relationships with employers, participants, and staff.
• Able to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with CRM systems, databases, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Bilingual English/Spanish speaker strongly preferred.
• Able to problem solve creatively to overcome barriers to employment and partnership challenges.
• Dedicated to continuous learning about industry trends, labor market dynamics, and best practices.
• Commitment to RiseBoro's mission, vision, and values.
• Able to understand the concepts of institutional and structural racism/bias; ability to understand their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities.
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting communities that have experienced systemic oppression i.e. people of color, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, justice-involved persons, etc.