Workforce & Education Manager

Workforce & Education Manager

The Workforce & Education Manager develops and implements workforce initiatives that align business needs with education and talent pipeline strategies. This role leads the Discovering Paths mentoring program and the Inspire Lancaster platform to expand work-based learning opportunities and strengthen employer engagement. Responsibilities include building strategic partnerships, managing advisory groups, coordinating workforce programming, and securing resources that support long-term impact. The Workforce & Education Manager serves as a key connector between employers, educators, and community stakeholders to address current and future workforce needs.

General Workforce Development:

• Manage the Workforce Advisory Group
• Create and implement career readiness workshops for selected partnerships
• Serve as a representative of the Lancaster Chamber at relevant K-12th or post-secondary programming and initiatives (i.e., career exploration fairs, school career fairs, etc.)
• Build and manage relationships with collaborative partners
• Research and implement any additional workforce/business/education partnership related funding streams (i.e. grants or ExtraGIVE)

Discovering Paths Mentoring Program:

• Coordinate the student experience from recruitment through graduation, including job shadows, student data management, and relationship building.
• Develop and maintain relationships with schools, educators, and other key partners.
• Manage the mentor experience from recruitment through graduation, including attaining clearances, training, data management, and student relationship support.
• Support the Marketing & Communications Department with creative brainstorming and promotional strategies for mentor, student, and sponsor recruitment.
• Develop, align, and build curriculum for career exploration and workforce readiness activities within the program.
• Plan and implement program logistics - facilities procurement, technology, equipment, budget, and other program elements.
• Engage the business community in career exploration opportunities, including job shadows, mentoring, and program participation.
• Provide classroom management and facilitation during onsite programming.
• Manage the Discovering Paths Advisory Group and program liaisons.

Inspire Lancaster:

• Manage the Inspire Lancaster platform, a tool to connect business and education for career exploration opportunities.
• Communicate the vision and value of the Inspire Lancaster platform and work-based learning opportunities to key stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain processes to recruit and retain businesses to participate in the platform.
• Provide customer service and support to platform users, including assisting educators in identifying appropriate opportunities for students and connecting businesses with relevant school district partners.
• Monitor platform performance, identify bugs or issues, and recommend enhancements that improve the user experience and platform effectiveness.
• Distribute relevant work-based learning information and updates to platform participants.
• Develop and maintain Inspire Lancaster-branded resources that support businesses in offering work-based and experiential learning opportunities.
• Provide strategic input on campaigns, communications, and outreach efforts that increase business engagement.
• Engage Discovering Paths students, mentors, and other stakeholders with the Inspire Lancaster platform where appropriate.

Position Requirements:

Experience &

Skills:

• 3-5 years of related experience in event or program development and management, workforce development, youth programming, or a related field.
• Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience will be considered;
  Bachelor's degree preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and keep track of the details.
• Takes initiative, demonstrates ownership, and follows through on commitments.
• Outgoing and gregarious, with a genuine enthusiasm for building relationships and engaging with students, educators, volunteers, business leaders, and community partners.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the…