Employer Engagement & Career Services Manager

Organization Summary

Civic Works strengthens Baltimore’s communities through education, skills development, and community service. Our Center for Sustainable Careers (CSC) department expands access to family-sustaining careers through hands-on learning, on-the-job training and job quality initiatives. We have sector-based career tracks in solar installation, roofing and utility infrastructure. Our program model has proven powerfully successful, with over 1,000 CSC graduates since 2003, an impressive average job placement rate of 85% and starting wages of over $20 per hour. Our innovative work has been highlighted by the White House, the National Fund for Workforce Solutions, Green for All, The Baltimore Sun, The Washington Post, and the US Conference of Mayors. Join us in creating a more just and equitable green economy. For more information, please visit http://sustainablecareers.civicworks.com/.

Position Summary

The Employer Engagement & Career Services Manager at Civic Works oversees career services for the Career Pathways program—managing two Career Navigators and leading job placement and employer engagement efforts. In this role, the Manager coordinates all placement activities, from gathering candidate referrals to matching candidates with employer job openings, and establishes and maintains strong relationships with diverse employer and industry partners across multiple training tracks, including Utility Infrastructure (UI), Solar, and Roofing. Driving proactive outreach and strategic partnership development that connect job-ready graduates with meaningful employment, the Manager represents Civic Works with employers, industry associations, and community partners. As a key liaison between employer partners and Civic Works' Career Pathways staff, they ensure employer insights directly inform program development while fostering a cohesive, high-performing Career Services team. This role advances Civic Works' commitment to expanding career access for residents excluded from quality employment, including people impacted by the criminal justice system, housing instability, and other systems, and reflects our belief in the capacity of every participant to build a lasting career.

Primary Responsibilities:

I. Staff Management

1. Recruit, supervise, lead, retain, and continuously develop the skills and abilities of the Career Navigators.
2. Identify and support career advancement plans for the Career Navigators, including internal and external professional development opportunities.
3. Set and communicate specific, measurable performance standards, including referral timelines and placement targets. Provide regular feedback and coaching.
4. Document team processes and standard operating procedures (SOPs), streamlining workflows as needed to improve consistency and efficiency across the team. 
5. Create a strong team environment that fosters cooperation, commitment, and the incorporation of lessons learned.
6. Evaluate team effectiveness and continuously improve career services operations, analyzing placement and referral data to identify areas for improvement.
7. Model professionalism and cultivate a team culture of collaboration, clear workplace expectations, and consistent practices that support the success of participants and the effectiveness of the program.
8. Support the Career Navigators in achieving and maintaining fidelity in Civic Works’ motivational interviewing framework, and coach the team on applying these techniques consistently in their work with participants.
9. Monitor the quality and consistency of career coaching and placement services delivered by the Career Navigators, providing observation, feedback, and skill development support.
10. Bring a department-wide and organization-wide lens to decision-making, role design, and team priorities, coordinating with peer managers to align Career Services work with the broader goals of the Center for Sustainable Careers and Civic Works.

II. Employer Outreach & Partnership Development

1. Identify, initiate, and cultivate new employer relationships across the construction, solar, roofing, and utility infrastructure sectors, tailoring outreach strategies to the distinct hiring models and employer expectations of each track.
2. Develop and implement outreach strategies to promote Civic Works' Workforce Development Program to prospective employer partners.
3. Conduct employer meetings, site visits, and virtual engagement across all active training tracks.
4. Represent Civic Works at external partner meetings, industry events, and community convenings.

III. Employer Relationship Management

1. Cultivate and maintain ongoing relationships with employer partners offering family-sustaining careers aligned with graduate skills and experiences.
2. Ensure strong employer retention through consistent, high-quality relationship stewardship and regular check-ins across multiple channels.
3. Advocate for program participants in employer interactions, mediating and resolving issues that arise post-placement.
4. Meticulously document all participant and employer interactions in the Salesforce database.

IV. Placement Services

1. Provide comprehensive placement services to program graduates, utilizing job readiness assessments and employer knowledge to make strategic, well-informed referrals that reflect graduates' training, skills, and career goals.
2. Develop and implement a job placement and retention strategy targeting various construction industry sectors, using employer feedback to continuously adjust and enhance placement.
3. Support employer partners in investing in and promoting equity across their hiring and retention practices.

V. Employer Feedback Integration & Program Collaboration

1. Gather feedback from employer partners through annual meetings, surveys, and regular interactions.
2. Facilitate regular feedback loops between employers and internal program teams, sharing input on graduate performance, resume quality, and employer-specific needs, and ensuring expectations are clear.
3. Collaborate with the Job Quality Manager to support job quality improvements with employer partners.
4. Initiate and manage an employer advisory board to strengthen program responsiveness to industry needs.

VI. Employer Events & Program Cycle Coordination

1. Plan, coordinate, and execute employer-facing events throughout the program cycle, including bi-annual job fairs, employer open houses and site visits, presentations and graduate showcases, and industry demonstrations (e.g., Solar/Roofing hands-on events).
2. Collaborate with Career Pathways and training staff to ensure events are cohesive, well-executed, and aligned with program milestones across all training tracks.
3. Track event outcomes, employer attendance, and placement results to inform future planning.

VII. Peer Support & Team Development

1. Provide guidance and peer support to employer engagement staff on outreach practices, employer communication, Salesforce documentation, and partnership strategy.
2. Share knowledge of employer relationships, industry contacts, and program context to support onboarding and continuity during transitions.
3. Model professional employer communication standards and serve as an internal resource for best practices in business services.
4. Support team cohesion by collaborating across the Career Services and Career Pathways teams on shared employer engagement goals.

Desired Experience

• Minimum 2 years of people management experience.
• At least 5 years of experience in workforce development, recruitment, and/or sales/account management. 
• Demonstrated success in employer outreach, business development, or partnership cultivation, including cold outreach to new contacts.
• Proficiency with CRM systems and data tracking platforms (Salesforce preferred) for tracking job placement, employer outreach, and referral activity, managing participant and employer information, and generating program reports. 
• Experience working in and creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Industry-specific experience in roofing, solar, utility infrastructure, or related construction/green energy sectors.
• Technology integration expertise for industry mapping, labor market analysis, and innovative job placement strategies.

Skills and Abilities 

• Skilled at networking and cultivating lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with employers, positioning Civic Works as a strategic partner, with a commitment to excellence in workforce development and dedication to creating a respectful, high-quality environment.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills with proven ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities and meet tight deadlines independently.
• Outstanding communication abilities including strong written and verbal skills to make complex professional concepts accessible and engaging for diverse audiences.
• Collaborative team orientation with flexibility to adapt quickly to evolving program needs and provide responsive support to colleagues in achieving shared goals.
• Problem-solving and adaptability with resilience to navigate challenges, develop innovative solutions, and implement effective strategies under pressure.
• Professional integrity and confidentiality with strict adherence to privacy guidelines and ethical standards in handling sensitive participant information.
• Comfortable working with program participants from a variety of backgrounds, including individuals whose criminal records may include serious offenses, and is committed to supporting their success without judgment. 

Work Schedule & Location:

• Work schedule is typically Monday-Friday from 7:30 am - 3:30 pm.
• Occasional travel to meet with partners offsite
• This position is eligible for a hybrid schedule. Candidates must be able to commute to the Baltimore City office at least four days per week, with the option to work remotely one day per week. 
  • During the 90-day orientation period, additional in-office days will be required. This arrangement is subject to change based on organizational needs and may be adjusted to include additional in-person time.