POSITION SUMMARY:

The Workforce Strategy Advisor will coordinate analytics, evaluation, and research efforts, and translate data analysis into actionable evidence to inform Detroit’s workforce and talent pipeline strategy. This role will report to the Director of Systems Alignment and Policy, a key member of the MWDB staff team.

The Workforce Strategy Advisor will be responsible for analyzing a range of public and private labor market data, as well as internal data, to identify trends in job demand and skillsets or credentials required and to establish local career pathway maps. This position will also be responsible for developing predictive projections, and for communicating relevant insights to leadership. Their work will inform the overall talent pipeline strategy for Detroit at Work, including, but not limited to, strategic support of employer partners, occupational training strategies, and the development of work readiness curriculum and/or training. This position uses research, analysis, and communication skills to identify opportunities to improve economic opportunities for the region, design strategies to exploit those opportunities, and works with leadership to align workforce programming and funding with those strategies.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Talent Pipeline Strategy Development:

• Convenes and guides an internal, cross-functional Detroit at Work leadership group to develop and inform the public workforce system’s talent development strategy;

• Supports local industry partnerships led by the Detroit at Work industry engagement team by preparing and presenting data that summarizes workforce and training needs and identifies opportunities for workforce solutions;

• Establishes local career pathway maps and tools that specify in-demand jobs, compensation and working requirements, and the requires training and experience to advance. Leverages existing resources, organizations and grants to create a dynamic, local career pathway framework.

• Develops and uses analytic tools to identify and prioritize strategies for improving economic opportunities for job seekers;

• Identifies key insights into the barriers to employment faced by jobseekers in Detroit, and makes recommendations based on promising practices to reduce these barriers and drive overall talent pipeline strategy;

• Evaluates how Detroit at Work serves employers and identify any gaps or successes in services;

Research & Labor Market Information Analysis:

• Conducts quantitative and qualitative research into employment, economic, and education and training issues in the region;

• Research and develop best practices to serve targeted populations. Develop and coordinate new ideas and concepts, materials, and resources to supplement, expand, or replace existing program components in order to benefit participants;

• Develops and/or oversees a system to analyze real-time labor market information;

• Identifies high-growth, high-demand occupational groups and industries utilizing local qualitative feedback and quantitative LMI tools, with a specific focus on both current and future in-demand jobs;

• Translates Detroit at Work internal data into evidence, including job posting data, jobseeker outcomes and identifies alternative data sources that can supplement Detroit at Work data;

• Prepares presentations, data visualizations, memos, etc., to communicate research findings, analysis, and recommendations, and to build support for agreed upon strategies among partners and leadership;

• Supports qualitative data research, including, but not limited to focus groups and employer convenings, in partnership with other staff and partners.

• Presents research findings and recommendations to executive leadership and management;

• Convenes stakeholders to present key findings and facilitates meetings as needed.

Evaluation Support:

• Establishes methods and procedures for the collection and reporting of research data; 

• Designs research models for the compilation and analysis of data and/or coordinates with third-party evaluation partners to better understand the impact of Detroit at Work interventions; 

• Collaborates with private, non-profit, and governmental partners on research and evaluation activities, as needed;

• Monitor and evaluate the program effectiveness, investigate trends, recommend and implement modifications to improve program effectiveness.

The above functions are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by the person assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties of the position.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Professional Skills:

• Strong project management skills;

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with particular skill at synthesizing information for non-technical audiences. Must have the ability to prepare timely, accurate and complete reports.  

• Skills in translating technical information to varied audiences verbally and in writing;

• Ability to operate effectively as a member of a unified team, as well as experience working across departments and functions;

• Ability to be proactive, take calculated risks and make difficult decisions, despite ambiguity or adversity;

• Strong strategic thinking skills;

• Must be discrete and professional, particularly when handling confidential information.  

Data Analysis:

• Skills in analyzing and interpreting complex and interrelated data and statistics from widely dispersed sources;

• Skills in operating and applying advanced research tools and techniques, including automated systems and software;

• Ability to draw insightful conclusions from large amounts of quantitative and qualitative data and the ability to manage large datasets using Excel or other database and statistical software; 

• Knowledge of statistical analysis methods and techniques. Demonstrated experience with advanced statistical analysis, including regression techniques and econometric modeling, a plus;

Research:

• Ability to direct research studies and prepare research reports

• Considerable skill in the design of research collection and reporting methods, and application of research theories and methods

• Considerable knowledge of research theories, objectives and methods

• Good knowledge of database software and competency in the ability to use the Internet for research.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:

A Master’s Degree in public policy, economics, statistics, social work, or related field is required. Work experience and education may be substituted.  Must have at least two years prior experience developing, coordinating or conducting program evaluations and/or researching and analyzing labor market information. Prior experience blending quantitative and qualitative data for analysis. Must have experience successfully managing projects and programs that involve multiple stakeholders. Experience with developing and implementing workforce projects in one or more of the five high-demand, high-growth industries targeted by DESC and the MWDB strongly desired. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

No

CONTRACT POSITION:

Yes. This is a two-year position.

LICENSES:

Not required.

OTHER:

Background check and drug screen required