EOE Statement

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.  Description

Job Title: Employer Relations Specialist (Hartford, CT)

Department: Operations

Reports To: Program Director

Classification: Non-Exempt

Salary Grade: $47,250-$54,600

About Us: The WorkPlace is an organization of ideas, actions, resources, and initiatives - all designed to strengthen the workforce. 'Think it forward' is our corporate culture. Every discipline within our organization is encouraged to innovate and activate as we put ideas into motion for the greater good of the economy and society as a whole. As a not-for-profit organization with state-wide and national workforce development programming, our goals are to ensure that the workforce can acquire the necessary skills to move along a career path and ensure businesses have the talent they need to grow.

Job Summary: We are seeking an Employer Relations Specialist (ERS) to develop and nurture strong relationships with employers, creating valuable employment opportunities. The WorkPlace Inc., Southwest Connecticut's Workforce Development Board, has a team of ERSs that creates employment opportunities for job seekers searching for their next role. It requires someone with a background in sales, a keen understanding of goals and metrics, and the ability to connect with people. The ideal candidate will excel in customer service, have strong presentation skills, and be passionate about helping individuals secure employment. This position is responsible for building partnerships that create long-term employment opportunities.

Key Responsibilities:

•  Develop Employer Relationships: Build and maintain strong, lasting relationships with employers to understand their staffing needs and create employment opportunities.
•  Create Job Opportunities: Work closely with employers to identify and develop job openings suitable to the experience and qualifications of the job seekers we serve.
•  Sales and Outreach: Proactively approach employers, make sales pitches to generate job openings and create opportunities for job seekers.
•  Metrics and Goal Tracking: Understand performance goals and key metrics to measure success, ensuring that targets related to job placement, employer engagement, and relationship growth are consistently met.
•  Candidate-Employer Matchmaking: Act as an intermediary between employers and job seekers, matching them with suitable job opportunities based on skills, experience, and employer requirements.
•  Collaboration: Work cross-functionally with internal team, including recruitment, career coaching, and marketing job seekers to employers to ensure successful outcomes in alignment with company goals are met.

Qualifications:

•  Relationship-Building: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with employers and clients.
•  Customer Service: Provide excellent customer service to both employers and job seekers by providing job search and resume assistance to job seekers and supporting employers with filling open positions.
•  Software: Knowledge of either a customer relationship management (CRM) or applicant tracking system (ATS) system.
•  Presentation Skills: Strong presentation skills with the ability to articulate and deliver messages to various audiences, both individually and in group settings.
•  Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage and connect with diverse audiences.
•  Problem-Solving: Ability to identify challenges and provide effective solutions to meet employer and job seeker needs.
•  Organizational Skills: Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple projects and deadlines.
•  Adaptability: Ability to adapt to a fast-paced, continually evolving business and work environment while managing and balancing priorities.

Preferred Qualifications:

Previous experience in recruitment, staffing, or human resources.

Familiarity with employment trends, labor markets, and job placement strategies.

3+ years of professional work experience in talent sourcing/workforce development

Bachelor's degree or equivalent from a four-year college

Working Conditions:

This position may require occasional travel to meet with local employers or attend networking events.

Ability to work in a fast-paced, target-driven environment with deadlines and performance-based objectives.