Workforce Strategy & Partnerships Manager

Position Summary

The Workforce Strategy & Employer Partnership Manager builds and manages strategic employer partnerships across Minnesota to support workforce programs. The role focuses on identifying industry needs, developing new partnership and program opportunities, tracking employment trends, and strengthening the workforce ecosystem. This position also oversees Skills‑Based Talent Accelerator initiatives and engages employers to inform and guide job development efforts.

In a typical day, a Career Navigator can expect to...

• Relationship & Industry Development:
  Cultivates, manages, and expands strategic relationships with businesses, industry leaders, and trade associations to inform and advance Services & Programs.
• People Leadership & Development:
  Develops and leads the team in effectiveness, performance, and customer service.
• Financial Management:
  Supports the Director in managing the budget and resources using approved financial guidelines and accepted practices, policies and procedures.

• Pay range: $81,641 - $99,784 per year
• This is a flexible‑hybrid role whose essential functions allow the employee to primarily work from a personal home office but also require the employee to work at a physical GESMN or partner facility as business needs require, sometimes with great urgency and little notice.
• Goodwill‑Easter Seals Minnesota (GESMN) prioritizes work‑life balance. We offer competitive pay, flexible hours, generous paid time off (PTO) program, competitive medical, dental and vision plans, employer‑paid life insurance, 401(k) plan with employer match, and an employee discount!
• Opportunities for career development and advancement.

• Strong relationship‑building skills and ability to cultivate partnerships.
• Knowledge of nonprofit workforce development initiatives.
• Demonstrated knowledge of management, supervision and training practices.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage training and mentoring of staff.
• Experience with financial management.
• Ability to meet deadlines and achieve required outcomes. Effective organizational skills.

• 3—5 years of experience in employer engagement, business development, recruiting, or workforce development preferred.
• Proven success in developing employer partnerships to meet talent needs.
• Knowledge of regional labor markets and workforce trends preferred. Bachelor's degree in related field preferred.

Goodwill‑Easter Seals Minnesota is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that has been creating career possibilities together with partners since 1919. Many people know Goodwill stores, but don’t know store proceeds support nearly 20 programs for job seekers to access resources and find careers that lead to advancement. Read more about us here.

Goodwill‑Easter Seals Minnesota (GESMN) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. GESMN will not discriminate against any employee or applicant based upon a person’s race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, status with regard to public assistance, age, sexual or affectional orientation, gender identity, familial status, ancestry, local human rights commission activity, citizenship, genetic information, protected veteran or military status, or any other categories protected by law.