Business and Community Relations Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Business and Community Relations Manager leads employer services, strategic outreach, community partnerships, and organizational communications for Southwest Key Workforce Development. The position aligns workforce solutions with employer needs and Board-prioritized industry sectors; coordinates employment and training resources; oversees Rapid Response and layoff-aversion activities; and directs engagement initiatives, events, and consistent communications. This role supervises assigned staff, collaborates with workforce centers and community stakeholders, and monitors service quality, project outcomes, and unit performance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Business Services and Employer Relations

• Develop and implement a business outreach plan focused on Board-targeted industries, occupations, and employer needs.
• Build and maintain relationships with current and prospective employers; promote workforce business services and coordinate employment and training resources.
• Partner with workforce center staff to match qualified job seekers with openings, coordinate referrals, and support employer service delivery.
• Oversee employer job orders, screening, referrals, verification, and appropriate electronic documentation, including WorkInTexas.
• Identify employer training needs; provide technical assistance, workshops, presentations, and labor market information, including wages and regional demand.
• Direct Rapid Response services and coordinate layoff-aversion strategies with relevant partners.
• Maintain employer follow-up, assess satisfaction, and implement service improvements.

Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships

• Develop and lead community engagement strategies, outreach initiatives, and events with employers, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, civic groups, and other stakeholders.
• Represent the organization at Board or committee meetings, community events, and employer-facing activities as assigned.
• Manage multiple engagement projects from initiation to completion, defining scope, milestones, resources, deliverables, dependencies, and success measures.
• Coordinate across management, programs, vendors, and external partners to advance organizational goals and strengthen partnerships.

Communications and Branding

• Develop and maintain consistent organizational messaging and branding across workforce services, engagement projects, and public-facing materials.
• Coordinate communications and social media relating to assigned projects and activities; serve as a day-to-day communications point of contact.
• Review and edit print, web, social media, presentations, announcements, and other communications for accuracy, clarity, brand consistency, and audience relevance.
• Evaluate communication needs, implement communication plans, and assess results.

Leadership, Performance, and Reporting

• Supervise, coach, and coordinate Business Services and Community Engagement/Communications personnel; establish expectations and provide support and direction.
• Set staff and unit goals, monitor productivity and employment-related outcomes, and implement corrective improvement plans when needed.
• Track project and unit activities, employer engagement, resource utilization, milestones, and results; provide reports to leadership and stakeholders.
• Work with organizational leadership and program teams to align outreach, business services, communications, and activities with Board priorities and program goals.
• Attend required meetings, training, and community activities; travel locally as necessary.
• Assist with data entry, presentations, and other operational functions as needed.
• Respond productively to changing priorities and perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, public relations, communications, workforce development, or a related field preferred.
• Experience Requirement: Three to five years of related experience in business services, employer engagement, community outreach, communications, or program/project management preferred; four years of management or supervisory experience preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership, staff supervision, project management, partnership development, and results-focused planning skills.
• Knowledge of workforce development systems, employer practices, labor market research, strategic planning, and service delivery.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, facilitation, and editorial skills; experience preparing content for print, web, and social media.
• Ability to clearly read, write, and communicate information to internal and external stakeholders.
• Requires computer proficiency and the ability to effectively operate standard office equipment.
• Maintain a valid driver's license and status as a qualified driver under the Company’s Vehicle Safety Guidebook standards.
• Must maintain reliable transportation.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

General office environment with moderate noise levels. The position involves sitting for extended periods, with occasional walking or standing, in a busy environment with frequent unscheduled interruptions. Essential functions of the position require extended periods of driving, exposure to varying weather conditions, and the physical ability to bend, stoop, climb, and lift up to 20 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.