New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) is a community development corporation committed to sustainable development in housing opportunities, economic development, vacant land strategies, community engagement, health and wellness, and real estate development. NKCDC advances social equity and economic empowerment by nurturing and creating opportunities for residents to live and actively shaping their neighborhoods of choice. To that end, NKCDC provides free resources to residents and businesses in the Kensington, Fishtown, and Port Richmond neighborhoods.

NKCDC has a strong reputation, both locally and nationally, with a longstanding credibility of serving as a trusted and valuable partner and collaborator. The organization is one of only two community development organizations in Philadelphia chartered members of the NeighborWorks America network. Our current work using a trauma-informed community engagement model, applying a racial equity lens across the organization, and leading programs at the intersection of health and housing are keeping NKCDC at the cutting edge of community development. NKCDC draws on the strengths of the communities in Kensington, Fishtown, and Port Richmond — a population of over 62,800, 23% of whom live below the federal poverty level — to make sure neighborhood development benefits all residents. More information can be found at nkcdc.org.

Function

The Workforce Development Manager supports NKCDC’s trauma-informed, neighborhood-based approach to improving economic stability for residents in Kensington. This role helps implement community-identified priorities from the Co-Creating Kensington process by coordinating workforce strategies across partner organizations, including Doing Good Well and the Kensington Collaborative pilot.

The Workforce Development Manager connects residents to job training, employment resources, and supportive services, and ensures these efforts align with broader strategies addressing trauma and housing instability. Through strong partnerships and responsive service delivery, this role advances residents’ access to stable employment and contributes to long-term community well-being.

Funding

This position is supported by Doing Good Well (100%)

The funding for this position is scheduled to last for 1 year from the time of hire, and could potentially be extended if additional funding is secured. 

Reports to

Vice President of Programs (Debra Ortiz-Vasquez)

Direct Report/Supervises

Not applicable at this time.

Professional Responsibilities:

Program Implementation & Participant Support

• Engage Kensington residents and NKCDC employees with diverse experiences and potential barriers to employment (e.g., housing challenges, prior justice involvement, language or literacy differences, or mental health needs) to assess their workforce readiness and support individualized career development.
• Create and implement individualized development plans for participants, outlining goals, pathways, and steps to achieve career advancement.
• Facilitate or plan workshops and training sessions on workforce readiness, soft skills, resume building, and other relevant curriculum.
• Track participant progress, capturing key data points and outcomes, including program completion, job placements, and retention at 6 and 12 months.
• Monitor participant satisfaction and self-efficacy improvements to inform program refinement.

Employer & Partner Engagement

• Identify and build relationships with employers offering living-wage jobs and committed to inclusive hiring practices.
• Engage with trusted partners through the DGW Collaborative to connect participants with wraparound services addressing upstream barriers (e.g., housing, medical, childcare, mental health).
• Coordinate internal and external workforce activities to ensure participants’ needs are identified and met efficiently.

Program Design & Administration

• Develop and manage structured pathway tracks that guide participants from readiness to placement and advancement.
• Create a referral mechanism, including intake forms, to streamline participant identification and engagement.
• Participate in grant writing and reporting as assigned by the VP of Programs and/or the Development Team.
• Manage program budget in cooperation with the VP of Programs and Finance.
• Attend DGW monthly meetings and other relevant collaborative meetings to ensure alignment and information sharing.
• Evaluate program performance, using data to measure success, refine strategies, and report outcomes to leadership.

Innovation and Growth:

• Support the Vice President of Programs in the evaluation and development of strategies to enhance revenue generation and funder engagement.
• Support the development and implementation of trauma-informed practices, DEI strategies, and HR policies that align with the organization's strategic goals, fostering a more inclusive and impactful community engagement.
• Serve as a leader in the organization, participating in regular meetings of directors and managers, contributing to the development of internal policies and procedures, strategic planning and funding strategies.

Compensation

The pay rate for this position is $74,947.86/yr. with a full-time schedule, 35 hours per week. To counter pay inequality and uphold internal parity, we use a nonnegotiable starting salary system, while benchmarking our pay to competitive markets in the nonprofit sector. Excellent benefits include an HMO/PPO health plan, long- and short-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid vacation, and a 403(b)-retirement plan.  Work hours are from 9am-5pm. This position will be on-site at our central office, 2771 Ruth Street, Suite 1, Philadelphia, PA 19134.

Application process

Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume via our Paylocity Application. Applications received by January 4, 2026, will be given full consideration. All candidate resumes are considered and kept on file for one year, but we cannot always respond personally depending on the volume of inquiries.

Hiring process

Our hiring process includes a 20–30-minute interview with HR, followed by an in-person interview with the hiring manager, and finally an hour-long “panel” interview with 3-8 staff members. Candidates may be asked to provide a writing sample, deliver a presentation, or submit other portfolio materials as part of the hiring process after the first in-person interview with the hiring manager. Reference checks are conducted after the final panel interview.

Equal Employment Opportunity 

NKCDC provides Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, race, national or ethnic origin, gender identity or expression, religion, language, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or physical ability. We know groups subjected to systemic oppression– including people of color, women, people from working class backgrounds, and people who identify as LGBTQ – are less likely to apply unless and until they meet every requirement for a job. Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other communities who are marginalized.

 Certification, Education, & Registration:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, workforce development, or related field required.
• Professional workforce development, career coaching, or employment services certifications are a plus (e.g., NCDA credentials).

Specialized Knowledge:

• Strong understanding of workforce development practices, including employment barriers, workforce readiness, and inclusive hiring practices.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed approaches and wraparound support services.
• Familiarity with program evaluation, outcome tracking, and performance measurement.
• Experience developing individualized career pathways and workforce readiness curricula.
• Understanding of local labor market trends, employers, and community resources in Kensington and Philadelphia.

Industry Experience:

• 3–5 years of experience in workforce development, career coaching, employment services, or related social service programs.
• Experience engaging individuals with diverse backgrounds and potential employment barriers, including housing challenges, prior justice involvement, language or literacy differences, or mental health needs.
• Demonstrated experience in partnership building and cross-sector collaboration.
• Experience in program management, including budget oversight, reporting, and team supervision.

Skills & Competencies:

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong ability to engage participants, assess needs, and support career development plans.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including facilitation of workshops and presentations.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently and collaboratively.
• Culturally competent, with experience working with diverse communities.
• Strong organizational and data management skills; proficiency with Microsoft Suite and data tracking tools.
• Experience with grant writing and reporting preferred.

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to attend off-site meetings and work flexible hours as needed.
• Commitment to trauma-informed, participatory, and equity-focused practices.