Business and Industry Engagement Partner (Remote)

World Education Services • New York, NY

2h • $86,000 - $110,000 • Remote

About The Position

The Business & Industry Engagement Partner advances WES’s ideas, frameworks, and policy priorities within employer, industry, and sector ecosystems. This role builds and stewards relationships with business leaders, employer coalitions, sector associations, chambers of commerce, workforce intermediaries, and industry partnerships. The Business & Industry Engagement Partner does not set policy direction. Instead, this role executes engagement strategies aligned with priorities established by the Lead and in coordination with Policy & Practice Architecture and relevant systems change teams (e.g., Career Pathways, Skills). This position, under the guidance of the Lead, will work very closely with Policy and Practice Architecture colleagues, other peers and leaders in the systems change teams, including Skills and Career Pathways. This role requires the ability to translate immigration and workforce systems change into language that resonates with employer needs, sector competitiveness, and economic inclusion priorities — while reinforcing WES’s long-term narrative and policy goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 8-10 years of experience in workforce development, employer engagement, economic development, business associations, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience representing an organization under senior leadership guidance as well as working with employers, chambers, or sector partnerships.
• Ability to translate systems change and policy concepts into employer-relevant language.
• Excellent relationship-building skills in cross-sector environments.
• Demonstrated capability of operating at the intersection of business and public policy.
• Excellent track record of building and maintaining strategic relationships and demonstrated success in leading system change work through partners and stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability working within ambiguous, dynamic and entrepreneurial environments and see each new challenge as an opportunity for change; be comfortable with risk and failure as a natural part of long-term success.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to build strong relationships and work with individuals at all levels of the organization; work collaboratively with people of different backgrounds, experiences, communication styles, and cultures towards collective goals.
• Thrive in an environment that values transparency, collaboration, and a learning orientation.
• Bring a “can-do” attitude and have a willingness to stretch up and down in their role as needs evolve.
• This is a remote working role with requirements for travel members to travel to in-person meetings upon request, usually in the NYC area and usually no less than three times a year. Travel to DC or other locations may be required. Most WES team schedules reflect Eastern Time, and the candidate will need to make themselves available for meetings and collaborative conversations during this time, although the general work schedule may be flexible to accommodate team members in other time zones.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with: employer groups and major employers; industry and sector associations; chambers of commerce; workforce intermediaries and apprenticeship sponsors; and employer-led coalitions focused on talent development
• Execute engagement strategies in partnership with the Lead and priorities set by and in service of Career Pathways and Skills
• Identify business champions and early adopters aligned with WES priorities.
• Maintain continuity and institutional memory across industry engagements.
• Translate WES narrative, policy, and practice work into engagement-ready conversations tailored to business and industry audiences.
• Apply research-informed narrative frameworks in ways that resonate with employer values such as talent competitiveness, economic growth, and workforce sustainability.
• Position immigrant inclusion as aligned with sector and economic strategy without diluting systems-level goals.
• Support senior leadership in employer briefings, sector roundtables, and industry convenings.
• Ensure coherent representation of WES’s work across industry conversations.
• Coordinate and support employer roundtables, industry briefings, site visits, and sector convenings aligned with team priorities.
• Ensure industry-facing engagements reflect research-informed narrative positioning and WES goals.
• Ensure availability and usage of background materials and talking points in collaboration with team members and Communications.
• Track commitments, follow-ups, and next steps across business engagements.
• Surface engagement outcomes and recommended next steps to the Lead.
• Track commitments, follow-ups, and next steps across business and industry engagements.
• Surface engagement outcomes and recommended next steps to the Lead.
• Surface insights from employers and sector leaders about workforce barriers, implementation challenges, and institutional incentives.
• Develop and disseminate key intelligence to colleagues, Leads, Department Head, and other Departments and teams across WES that inform their decision- making and ability to seize opportunities and contribute to refining positioning based on employer resonance and adoption patterns.
• Identify how business leaders frame immigration, skills recognition, and workforce inclusion.
• Provide regular feedback to the Lead to inform strategy and sequencing.

Benefits

• Work-Life Harmony: We believe that success is all about maintaining balance. Enjoy the freedom of remote work and flexible scheduling, paired with generous time-off policies designed to assist you in maintaining a healthy equilibrium between your personal and professional commitments. Our comprehensive wellness programs and work environment are focused on fostering your well-being.
• Rewards and Recognition: Your dedication and achievements are the cornerstone of our success. We recognize the importance of valuing your hard work, which is why we offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and tangible rewards to celebrate your contributions.
• Professional Growth and Development: We are committed to nurturing growth within our team, recognizing that growth is essential to providing opportunities for career advancement and ongoing professional development. To prioritize your learning and success, we invest in comprehensive training programs and offer tuition reimbursement opportunities. We promote a culture of continuous learning that empowers you to thrive and evolve in your career.
• Innovation and Impact: Engage in work that directly transforms lives and empowers individuals and communities by expanding access to global educational and professional pathways. Join us in fostering a culture that values innovation, embraces new approaches, and leverages transformation to implement and drive impactful change.
• Community and Connection: Our team is made up of individuals from different cultures and backgrounds who have varying perspectives and ideas. Our diverse workforce reflects the global community we serve, and we take pride in it. We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and included. Experience the power of connection by participating in a range of activities, including employee-led resource groups, town halls, collaborative team events, meaningful volunteer opportunities, and initiatives that promote equity, celebrate diversity, and cultivate a strong sense of belonging within our organization.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees