Position Overview

The Employer Partnerships Lead will play a crucial leadership role in guiding PowerCorpsPHL participants and alumni toward successful and sustainable careers. This position is responsible for the development, implementation, and management of comprehensive career pathways designed with employers to fill critical vacancies and prepare young adults with barriers to employment for success. This individual will also provide supervision for the Skilled Trades Academy Program Manager and will provide high level oversight of the Skilled Trades Academy (STA), a training program preparing participants for entry-level careers in electrical, HVAC, facilities maintenance, and general construction. The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated and experienced professional with exceptional communication skills, a strong background in workforce development and employer services, and a proven ability to analyze employment trends and engage employers to effectively serve PowerCorpsPHL graduates.

Essential Functions

Employer Partner Outreach and Relations 

• Lead the strategy for building and maintaining strong employer partnerships. 
• Analyze labor market trends and local industry needs to identify optimal training pathways and career placement strategies.
• Collaborate with program staff to develop, implement, and manage employer-aligned career pathways.
• Cultivate and maintain key relationships with employers, employment service agencies and paid training programs, to create referral pipelines for participants and alumni. 
• Assess employer needs across recruiting, onboarding, performance, and retention.
• Collaborate closely with program staff to ensure that training, projects, and contracted work align with industry talent needs.   
• Represent PowerCorpsPHL at industry meetings and employer networking opportunities to expand connections and stay ahead of industry trends.
• Guide employer partners in accessing and utilizing hiring incentives.
• Deliver targeted training to employer partners on best practices for engaging, supporting, and retaining young adult talent in collaboration with workforce organizations.
• Track partner performance and engagement to ensure alignment with PowerCorpsPHL goals.

Program Management

• Provide targeted oversight and strategic support for the Skilled Trades Academy (STA).
• Supervise and guide the STA Program Manager in leading daily operations, participant tracking, managing partner relationships, and job placement efforts.
• Collaborate with program staff to coordinate employer events, including job fairs, mock interviews, facility tours, and information sessions.
• Facilitate interactive job-readiness training to participants, as needed.

Alumni Engagement and Services

• Proactively identify opportunities for paid training, industry certifications, and job placements for participants and alumni.
• Assess and match alumni to work opportunities based on an evaluation of their background, skills, interests, and performance within PowerCorpsPHL.   
• Conduct regular check-ins with employed alumni to monitor their progress and provide support in their career advancement.    
• Coordinate alumni support services to address diverse needs.  
• Coordinate additional training opportunities for alumni to enhance their skills and advance their careers. ?  
• Facilitate sessions where alumni can share their experiences and insights with active program participants, providing valuable guidance and motivation. 
• Provide individualized advising and deliver group training sessions to alumni, focusing on career exploration, effective job search strategies, professional resume preparation, and impactful interview skills.  

Data and Reporting

• Maintain accurate and detailed records of all participant activity and job search activity within the Salesforce database, including progress notes and job development logs.   
• Document communications with employers and partners in Salesforce to ensure effective tracking and relationship management.
• Track and analyze key career services data, such as placement and retention rates, alumni career advancements and testimonials, and employer feedback and testimonials to identify areas for program improvement and enhance overall effectiveness.    

Other Responsibilities

• Attend and actively participate in all-staff meetings, staff professional development activities, and regular 1:1 check-ins with supervisor.    
• Perform other administrative duties as assigned to support the overall functioning of the organization.

Qualifications

• Passion for PowerCorpsPHL’s mission and people.
• Ability to establish and foster relationships with cross-sector partners and to work as a part of a collaborative team. 
• Ability to manage multiple partnerships. 
• Able to report on-site by 6:45 AM on required days during the Skilled Trades Academy and provide coverage for STA Program Manager when absent.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to diverse audiences. 
• Experience with database management and recording and tracking of data. 
• Excellent self-direction and the ability to take ownership and drive responsibilities through to completion.
• Knowledge of the Philadelphia workforce ecosystem and labor market. 
• Understanding of industry needs in infrastructure, energy and skilled trades.
• Familiarity with post-secondary education resources and providers, preferred. 
• Strong oral and written presentation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Successful completion of background checks.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and accessibility.

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree (preferred) with a minimum of five years’ experience working with young adults with barriers to employment and/or similar high-risk population. 
• Minimum five years of experience successfully developing, managing, and sustaining strategic employer partnerships.
• Minimum two years’ experience in program design and development.
• Minimum of one year of supervisory experience.
• Minimum two years’ experience in vocational education, career counseling, professional skills coaching, or workforce development.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

This position will include site visits and office/classroom work:

• Walking on uneven ground.
• Traveling to different locations within Philadelphia on a regular basis. 
• Facilitating both virtual and in-person workshops and meetings using a variety of digital platforms, physical projectors, whiteboards, flip charts and vocal projection. 
• Sitting for extended periods while using a computer, typing, and participating in video conferences.

Please note that this job description is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of required activities, duties, or responsibilities, and is subject to change at any time with or without notice. 

We offer a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer paid life and long-term disability insurance
• Flexible Savings Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Day Care, Mass Transit and/or Parking)
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k) retirement plan participation
• Additionally, you will be entitled to:
• 30 days of paid time off annually (240 hours)
• 12 holidays annually, plus a winter break

PowerCorpsPHL requires background checks to be submitted prior to hire. Having a background does not necessarily prohibit employment. Individuals with backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

PowerCorpsPHL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

PowerCorpsPHL is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the job. This job description outlines the typical functions of the position, and employees with disabilities can perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations. We will provide accommodations unless doing so would cause an undue hardship for the employer.