Engagement Manager

Employer Engagement Manager

Location:

350 Church Street, 10th Floor / Hartford, CT 06103

Salary Range: $70,000–$85,000

Are you a dynamic relationship-builder dedicated to bridging the gap between untapped student potential and local industry? ReadyCT is looking for a strategic employer engagement program manager to champion employer recruitment and cultivate high-quality internships. Your impact will transform business partnerships into direct employment pathways for Connecticut’s youth in ways that help to build and sustain a youth-centric, thriving talent pipeline across the state.

WHO WE ARE:

ReadyCT is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing academic excellence and career-connected learning for all Connecticut public school students. We design and deliver innovative career readiness programs that intentionally bridge the gap between K-12 education and the employers who will one day welcome graduates into the workforce.

As an affiliate of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA), ReadyCT works closely with business leaders to expand real‑world opportunities for students and strengthen Connecticut’s future workforce.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

As a key member of the career pathways team, the employer engagement program manager will ensure program participants connect with meaningful work-based learning opportunities that align with their career aspirations. In this role, you’ll oversee employer recruitment, strategic partnership development, and the curation of high-quality internships, while driving an initiative that supports direct employment pathways for high school students. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and wants their work to contribute to broader workforce impact.

The employer engagement program manager will collaborate closely with a diverse network of Hartford area stakeholders, serving as the main point of contact for industry partners, K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and community organizations. You are not a siloed worker. You are energized by a multifaceted role and inspired by circumstances that require you to quickly pivot from pitching a local business to tracking student progress to brainstorming with an advisory group, and beyond.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO

THE ROLE:

A passion for education and developing the potential of ALL students.

A bachelor's degree (required); master’s degree or higher (preferred).Direct experience with navigating multiple partnerships/stakeholder groups, with a focus on building relationships with Hartford-area employers to host interns.

Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

Excellent organizational and project management skills and record of delivering on-time results.

Strong attention to detail.

Active listening and strong facilitation skills.

Strong interpersonal skills and the capacity to build new relationships with a wide range of stakeholders across all demographics.

The ability to work independently and collaborate with a team, as circumstances dictate.

Comfort with and aptitude for learning new technology systems.

Demonstrated ability to multi-task and deliver quality work.

Ability to adapt to new situations and remain customer-focused.

The persistence and resourcefulness to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to travel frequently across Connecticut for meetings and events.

Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite.

Experience with Salesforce or a related CRM system.

Experience with Jira and other Atlassian products (preferred).Strong ability to balance strategic thinking with day-to-day operational needs.

Ability to perform the essential functions of this role as described below.

This is a grant-funded position that qualifies for ReadyCT benefits and is renewable contingent upon continued funding.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Specific responsibilities of the employer engagement program manager include:

Recruiting local employers to host interns throughout the greater Hartford region, supporting multiple districts as measured with specified key performance  collaboration with the program team, informing the overall design,…