Employment and Partnership Manager -Transformative Workforce Academy

Who is Saint Louis University? Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious Catholic universities. SLU, which also has a campus in Madrid, Spain, is recognized for world-class academics, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service.

EMPLOYMENT AND PARTNERSHIP MANAGER,

TRANSFORMATIVE WORKFORCE ACADEMY

JOB SUMMARY:

As part of an exciting statewide expansion, SLU Transformative Workforce Academy (TWA) is seeking an Employment and Partnership Manager to expand capacity to assist jobseekers returning to St. Louis while also establishing a footprint in wider Missouri, with a focus on the Columbia and Springfield areas. Under the guidance of SLU TWA's Program Director, the Employment and Partnership Manager will play a pivotal role in fostering relationships with jobseekers, employers, and community stakeholders to increase employment and retention rates for justice-involved individuals in St. Louis, Columbia, and Springfield.

This position requires a proactive approach with a focus on autonomy in generating leads and cultivating partnerships in Columbia and Springfield to build a large pool of second chance employers with positions for SLU TWA candidates. The Employment and Partnership Manager will also work one-on-one in all three areas with justice-involved jobseekers, providing vocational and case management services. This role requires a large degree of independence, a passion for social impact, excellent communication skills, and the ability to navigate various industries to establish partnerships.

This is a full-time position based in the particular Metropolitan area in Missouri, that requires a mix of in-person, local travel, and remote work.

Learn more about the Transformative Workforce Academy at: https://www.slu.edu/secondchance/index.php

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Research and identify prospective businesses and industries through independent market research in the Columbia and Springfield areas.

• Initiate and nurture relationships with key employer stakeholders, including HR professionals, hiring managers, and business owners through networking events, job fairs, industry conferences, and individual meetings.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for a caseload of jobseekers referred to TWA, providing trauma-informed vocational and case management services including intake interviews, employment preparation, written and video resume assistance, interview preparation, and job search counseling.

• Determine potential employment matches for each jobseeker and liaise with employer partners to connect and advocate for jobseekers.

• Conduct regular check-ins with participants once employed, troubleshooting job-related challenges and connecting participants to community resources.

• Identify and engage with community agencies to establish relationships, formalize mutual referral pipelines, and connect jobseekers with needed resources.

• Maintain accurate electronic records of outreach activities, partnerships, jobseeker progress, and outcomes.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

• Must have significant experience in business engagement or development, which may include sales and/or recruitment, including demonstrated success in lead generation and relationship building.

• Proven ability to work autonomously, take initiative, and manage competing priorities and deadlines effectively.

• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, including presentation and training skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively and network with a broad range of internal and external partners with a focus on corporate relationships.

• Ability to work patiently and compassionately with individuals facing many challenges concurrently.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs and Google Workspace.

• Compassionate, patient, and skilled in working with individuals facing significant barriers to employment.

• Experience in business engagement or development, including lead generation and relationship building in contexts such as sales or recruitment.

• Proven ability to work independently, take initiative, and manage competing priorities.

• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills; ability to present and facilitate effectively.

• Capacity to collaborate with a broad range of partners, with a strong focus on employer relationships.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs and Google Workspace.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree and one year of experience OR five years of relevant work experience.

• Must possess a valid driver's license and reliable transportation with the ability to travel regularly to Columbia and Springfield, and occasionally within the greater St. Louis region (mileage reimbursed). - Ability to travel within 250 miles of the St. Louis Metropolitan area (Columbia, MO & Springfield, MO)

• Ability to obtain and maintain applicable volunteer credentials at local jails and prisons throughout employment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with reentry populations in correctional or transitional settings.

• Background in workforce development, including resume and interview coaching for justice-involved individuals.

• Experience with mental health, substance use, cognitive disabilities, or co-occurring conditions.

• Ability to work independently while integrating closely with a team based at SLU and partner agencies in other cities.

• Qualified justice-involved individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.

This position is beingfundedby agrantand/ordesignatedsourceand therefore continuation in the position is contingent upon funding availability.

Function

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

Saint Louis University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for the position applied for without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, gender identity, or other non-merit factors. If accommodations are needed for completing the application and/or with the interviewing process, please contact Human Resources at 314-977-5847.