Manager Workforce Development & Strategic Partnerships

The Salvation Army Southern California•Carson, CA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Manager of Workforce Development will lead one of the most transformative initiatives in the history of The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers by creating sustainable career pathways that extend our ministry beyond graduation and into lifelong success. This position exists to ensure that recovery does not end at graduation by developing meaningful employment opportunities, workforce training partnerships, and career pathways that provide graduates with the financial stability, purpose, and long-term support necessary to sustain their recovery and become productive members of their communities. Working collaboratively with local Officers, designated workforce staff, and Territorial leadership across all 18 Adult Rehabilitation Centers in the Western Territory, this position will establish strategic partnerships with employers, workforce agencies, educational institutions, government organizations, foundations, and corporate partners to build a comprehensive network of employment and training opportunities that can be adapted to meet the unique needs of each local ARC. Reporting to the Director of Strategic Projects, this role will provide leadership in developing workforce initiatives, securing grant and partnership funding, supporting implementation across participating ARC locations, and ensuring the successful execution and long-term sustainability of workforce development programs. Success will be measured not only by partnerships created or grants secured, but by the number of graduates who obtain meaningful careers, achieve financial independence, and continue thriving in recovery.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in marketing or related field preferred; Proven work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Minimum 3 years of professional related work experience.
Proficient in MS Office and donor database software.
Excellent communication and writing skills.
Professional demeanor and strong initiative to build new relationships.
Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment with skills to set priorities, establish objectives and goals.
Ability to lead and be part of a department which requires effective collaboration and teamwork.
Possess a valid Driver’s license and maintain a clean driving record.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a comprehensive employer engagement strategy that creates sustainable career opportunities for ARC graduates across the Western Territory.
Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with employers, industry associations, chambers of commerce, workforce boards, educational institutions, apprenticeship programs, labor unions, and community organizations.
Build long-term hiring pipelines with employers that value second-chance employment and are committed to providing meaningful career opportunities.
Collaborate with employer partners to understand workforce needs and align training pathways with current and emerging labor market demands.
Identify opportunities to expand partnerships beyond hiring, including internships, apprenticeships, on-the job training, industry certifications, mentorship opportunities, and employer-sponsored workforce initiatives.
Cultivate executive-level relationships that lead to expanded workforce partnerships, funding opportunities, and long-term collaboration.
Evaluate employer satisfaction and partnership outcomes, using feedback to continuously strengthen relationships and improve employment results for graduates.
Design workforce training and career pathways aligned with labor market demand, employer needs, and the capabilities of participating ARC locations.
Coordinate the delivery of training partnerships established with community colleges, trade schools, workforce agencies, apprenticeship programs, and other educational partners.
Develop adaptable program models that allow each ARC to select and implement training resources suited to its local labor market and graduate population.
Define participant eligibility, referral pathways, program expectations, and completion requirements for each training initiative.
Evaluate training quality, completion results, and alignment with employment opportunities, and recommend changes that improve program effectiveness.
Identify opportunities to replicate successful training pathways across additional ARC locations while preserving flexibility for local needs.
Develop and execute a comprehensive funding strategy to support the long-term growth and sustainability of workforce development initiatives across the Western Territory.
Research, identify, and pursue funding opportunities aligned with workforce development priorities, including government workforce grants, private and family foundations, corporate philanthropy, employer-sponsored training and apprenticeship programs, workforce boards and public-private partnerships.
Lead the development of compelling grant proposals, funding requests, budgets, and supporting documentation.
Build and maintain strong relationships with grantors, foundations, corporate sponsors, and public funding agencies.
Collaborate with Finance, Development, and Territorial leadership to ensure funding strategies align with organizational priorities and compliance requirements.
Establish systems to monitor grant performance, reporting deadlines, budgets, and compliance with all funding requirements.
Identify innovative funding models and strategic partnerships that expand workforce opportunities beyond traditional grant funding.
Lead the implementation of workforce development initiatives across participating ARC locations.
Develop standardized implementation plans, operating procedures, timelines, and training materials for local ARC teams.
Serve as the primary point of contact between workforce partners, employers, educational institutions, funding organizations, and participating ARC locations.
Monitor implementation milestones and ensure commitments made to partners and funders are fulfilled.
Troubleshoot operational challenges and facilitate collaborative solutions with local leadership.
Collaborate with local ARC Officers and designated staff to identify graduates who are prepared for workforce development, training, and employment opportunities.
Coordinate participant referrals into workforce training, certification programs, apprenticeships, and employer hiring pipelines.
Partner with employers and training providers to facilitate interviews, hiring events, job shadowing opportunities, and direct placements.
Support local ARC teams in preparing participants for successful employment through interview readiness, workplace expectations, professional communication, and career planning.
Monitor participant progress throughout training and the early stages of employment, identifying barriers to success and coordinating appropriate support when needed.
Work collaboratively with employers, workforce partners, and ARC leadership to promote strong employment retention and long-term career advancement.
Gather feedback from graduates, employers, and workforce partners to continuously improve participant preparation and workforce programming.
Champion employment as a key component of long-term recovery by helping graduates build careers that promote financial stability, personal responsibility, dignity, and independence.
Develop and maintain standardized reporting processes for all workforce development initiatives.
Establish clear data collection requirements for participating ARC locations to ensure consistency and accuracy.
Work collaboratively with local Officers and designated staff to ensure timely submission of all required participant and program data.
Follow up with ARC locations to ensure reporting deadlines established by workforce partners, grantors, and funding organizations are consistently met.
Monitor program performance through key performance indicators including job placements, training enrollment, training completion, employment retention (30/60/90 days), wage progression, and credential attainment.
Prepare reports required by employers, educational institutions, grantors, foundations, and internal leadership.
Translate workforce outcomes into compelling impact reports that strengthen existing partnerships and support future funding opportunities.
Conduct periodic reviews of workforce development implementation, documentation, and reporting at participating ARC locations to ensure compliance with partner expectations, grant requirements, and established program standards.
Build strong collaborative relationships with local Officers and designated workforce staff throughout the Western Territory.
Provide ongoing training, coaching, follow-up, and operational support to local Officers and designated staff to ensure successful implementation of workforce initiatives and fulfillment of partnership requirements.
Serve as a trusted resource to local leadership while fostering accountability for participation, implementation milestones, data collection, and required reporting.
Ensure consistent execution of workforce initiatives across all participating ARC locations.
Promote alignment between workforce development, recovery programming, employment outcomes, and organizational strategic priorities.

Benefits

Opportunity for career growth
Paid time off
Medical, Dental and Vision
Wellness Program Incentives
Retirement Plan
Optional benefits, including Pre-Paid Legal Service, AFLAC, Pet Insurance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Employee Store Discounts
Great Work Perks Discounts (Amusement Parks, Museums, Services, Travel and more)
Employee Referral Bonuses