Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Employment Program Manager

🎯 Role Definition

Are you passionate about creating pathways to opportunity? As our Employment Program Manager, you will be the strategic and operational leader of our comprehensive employment services. You will spearhead the design, execution, and continuous improvement of innovative programs that connect diverse job seekers with sustainable career opportunities. This role is a unique blend of compassionate leadership, strategic partnership-building, and data-driven management. You will be instrumental in transforming lives by fostering economic mobility and building a stronger, more inclusive workforce in our community.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Career Counselor / Workforce Specialist
Program Coordinator / Associate Program Manager
Lead Case Manager

Advancement To:

Director of Workforce Development
Director of Programs
Vice President of Client Services

Lateral Moves:

Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
Community Outreach & Partnerships Director
HR Business Partner

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design, develop, and implement innovative, end-to-end employment programs, from initial client intake and assessment to job placement and post-employment support.
Provide dynamic leadership, supervision, and professional development to a team of career counselors, case managers, and job developers, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
Cultivate and manage strategic partnerships with a wide network of corporate employers, industry associations, and small businesses to create robust pipelines for job placements, internships, and on-the-job training.
Oversee the complete program lifecycle, including strategic planning, goal setting, budget development, and resource allocation to ensure program objectives are met efficiently and effectively.
Develop and facilitate a comprehensive job readiness curriculum, covering topics such as resume writing, interview skills, digital literacy, financial literacy, and professional etiquette.
Direct all case management activities, ensuring clients receive individualized, holistic support and that progress toward employment goals is consistently tracked and documented.
Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to rigorously track program outcomes, including client engagement, training completion, job placement rates, wage progression, and retention.
Author and manage complex grant proposals, renewals, and reports, ensuring strict compliance with all requirements from government agencies, foundations, and other funders.
Develop and execute a targeted outreach and recruitment strategy to attract and enroll eligible participants from diverse communities, ensuring equitable access to program services.
Manage the program's annual budget, including forecasting expenses, tracking expenditures against grant allocations, and providing regular financial reports to leadership.
Serve as the primary liaison with government agencies (e.g., those administering WIOA, TANF), community-based organizations, and educational institutions to foster a coordinated system of support.
Utilize CRM and data management systems (like Salesforce) to maintain accurate client records, track service delivery, and generate insightful reports for data-driven decision-making.
Conduct ongoing needs assessments within the community and labor market to identify emerging industries and in-demand skills, adapting program offerings accordingly.
Ensure all program activities and documentation adhere to the highest standards of quality, confidentiality, and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
Represent the organization at public forums, industry conferences, and community events to advocate for our mission and promote program services.
Lead continuous quality improvement (CQI) initiatives by analyzing program data, soliciting feedback from clients and employers, and implementing evidence-based best practices.
Mediate and resolve complex client and employer-related issues with professionalism and a solutions-oriented approach.
Prepare and present compelling quarterly and annual reports to the executive team, Board of Directors, and external funders, clearly articulating program impact and return on investment.
Collaborate with the marketing team to create compelling collateral, success stories, and digital content that highlights the program's value to participants and partners.
Oversee the planning and execution of program-specific events, such as hiring fairs, employer networking sessions, and graduation ceremonies.
Stay abreast of local, regional, and national labor market trends, workforce development policies, and innovative service delivery models to ensure the program remains relevant and effective.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc reporting requests from funders, the executive team, and the Board of Directors.
Contribute to the organization's broader strategic planning process by providing insights from the employment services division.
Collaborate with other internal program managers to create integrated service models that provide holistic support to clients.
Participate in cross-functional teams and organizational initiatives aimed at improving processes, technology, and overall impact.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Program Management: Expertise in planning, executing, and evaluating complex, multi-faceted programs from conception to completion.
Budget & Financial Management: Proficiency in creating, managing, and reporting on program budgets, often with multiple, restricted funding streams.
Grant Management & Reporting: Deep understanding of the grant lifecycle, including proposal writing, compliance, and reporting for government and foundation grants (e.g., WIOA, DOL).
Data Analysis & CRM Proficiency: Ability to use CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, ETO, Apricot) and data tools (Excel, Power BI) to track KPIs and derive actionable insights.
Labor Market Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of local and regional labor market trends, in-demand industries, and fair hiring practices.
Project Management Software: Familiarity with tools like Asana, Monday.com, or Trello for task management and team collaboration.

Soft Skills

Leadership & Supervision: Proven ability to inspire, manage, and mentor a diverse team to achieve ambitious goals.
Stakeholder Engagement: Exceptional skill in building and maintaining authentic, productive relationships with employers, funders, and community partners.
Strategic Thinking: Capacity to see the big picture, anticipate future trends, and develop long-term plans that align with the organizational mission.
Communication & Public Speaking: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to compellingly articulate the program's vision and impact to various audiences.
Empathy & Interpersonal Skills: A compassionate, client-centered approach combined with the professional poise to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics.
Problem-Solving & Adaptability: Resourceful and resilient in finding creative solutions to challenges and adapting to changing priorities in a dynamic environment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree

Relevant Fields of Study:

Social Work
Public Administration
Human Resources
Non-Profit Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

5-7 years of progressive experience in workforce development, career services, program management, or a related field, including at least 2-3 years in a direct supervisory or management role.

Preferred:

Demonstrated experience managing government-funded employment programs and a deep understanding of associated compliance requirements is highly desirable.
A proven track record of successfully building and scaling employer partnership networks that result in measurable placement outcomes.