Associate II, Workforce Pathways | Road to Hire

Road to Hire•Charlotte, NC

2d•$62,000 - $67,500•Hybrid

About The Position

Road to Hire is entering a critical phase in its evolution as we scale to support 200+ college graduates annually in securing high-quality, career-launching roles. The Associate I, Workforce Pathways, will serve as both a strategic driver and hands-on executor of student placement outcomes. This role is responsible for ensuring that Road to Hire college talent successfully transitions into high-wage careers through internships and full-time employment. Acting as a “talent agent” for a portfolio of students, this individual will actively source opportunities, build strong employer relationships, and drive students through the full placement lifecycle from preparation to application to offer acceptance. This is a high-accountability, high-impact role with a clear focus on measurable outcomes: internships secured, full-time placements, and long-term career trajectory. Reporting Structure: VP, Advancement (leader of the Workforce, Innovation, and Network team) Location requirements: Must live in the greater Charlotte region; R2H follows a hybrid work model with in-office requirements Tuesday-Thursday and in-person meetings as required, and some evenings for organizational or stakeholder events. Why This Role Matters This role is central to Road to Hire’s mission. You will directly shape whether students successfully translate their education into meaningful, high-paying careers. Your work will not only impact individual lives but also strengthen employer partnerships and regional talent pipelines, ensuring that opportunity is accessible, attainable, and sustainable for the students we serve. Talent Placement Ecosystem This individual is responsible for activating and orchestrating a strong placement ecosystem around Road to Hire talent. Rather than owning primary employer relationship development, this role focuses on ensuring students are strategically positioned, matched, and advanced through opportunities generated through Corporate Relations and broader networks. Success requires deep understanding of both student readiness and employer expectations, and the ability to move talent efficiently through the hiring process. Student Readiness & Placement Execution This role ensures that students are not only applying to roles, but are fully prepared to compete for and secure them. The Associate II will take an active, hands-on approach to coaching, ensuring students are equipped with the tools, confidence, and strategy needed to succeed in competitive hiring processes. This includes driving urgency, accountability, and follow-through at every stage. Cross-Functional Collaboration Placement success requires tight alignment across internal teams. This individual will play a key role in ensuring that employer engagement, student readiness, and program strategy are fully integrated. They will serve as a bridge between teams, bringing market insights back into the organization to continuously improve outcomes. Data, Tracking & Outcomes Management This role is deeply outcomes-driven and requires disciplined tracking of progress and results. The Associate II will use data not only to report on outcomes, but to actively manage pipelines, identify gaps, and adjust strategy in real time to ensure placement goals are met.

Requirements

4–7+ years of experience in recruiting, talent placement, workforce development, career services, or a related field
Demonstrated track record of successfully placing early-career talent into internships and/or full-time roles
Proven experience building and maintaining strong relationships with recruiters, hiring managers, or employer partners
Experience managing multiple candidates or stakeholders in a fast-paced, outcomes-driven environment
Bachelor’s degree required
Strong relationship-building and influencing skills with both students and employers
High level of ownership and accountability for outcomes
Ability to operate with urgency and a bias toward action
Excellent coaching and communication skills
Strategic thinking paired with strong execution ability
Data tracking, pipeline management, and attention to detail
Deep commitment to expanding access to economic mobility and opportunity

Nice To Haves

Experience working with college or early-career talent populations
Background in workforce development, nonprofit, or higher education settings
Experience using CRM or recruiting platforms (Salesforce, Handshake, ATS systems, etc.)
Familiarity with high-growth or high-demand career pathways (e.g., tech, business, finance, operations)

Responsibilities

Own placement outcomes for a portfolio of college students and graduating seniors, with a focus on high-wage, career-aligned roles
Activate and leverage employer opportunities sourced through Corporate Relations, ensuring strong alignment between role requirements and student readiness
Serve as a talent agent for students, proactively matching candidates to opportunities and advocating on their behalf with hiring partners
Identify gaps in role availability or alignment and provide feedback to Corporate Relations to inform employer engagement strategy
Ensure a consistent and high-quality pipeline of opportunities for students by maximizing conversion across existing employer partnerships and channels
Actively coach and guide students through the job and internship search process, including resume development, interview preparation, and application strategy
Ensure students are fully prepared for competitive hiring processes and employer expectations
Monitor application pipelines and drive follow-through, ensuring no missed opportunities
Support students through offer negotiation, decision-making, and onboarding readiness
Partner closely with Corporate Relations to align on employer engagement strategy and job pipelines
Collaborate with Student Success and program teams to ensure alignment between student readiness and market opportunities
Provide insights to internal teams on hiring trends, employer expectations, and skill gaps
Track and manage key placement metrics including applications, interviews, offers, internships secured, and full-time placements
Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in CRM or workforce systems
Use data to drive strategy, identify gaps, and continuously improve placement outcomes