Workforce & Education Partnerships Manager

Xello•Remote, MI

1d•$65,000 - $90,000•Remote

About The Position

Xello is hiring a Workforce & Education Partnerships Manager to build and grow its Michigan statewide work-based learning (WBL) network. The role is remote and based in Michigan, with travel throughout the state to meet employers and partners and attend industry, Chamber, education, and community events. The manager will recruit and support employers offering meaningful career-connected experiences for K–12 students, while developing relationships across education, workforce development, and postsecondary training. The role will help connect schools and students with relevant employers and opportunities, and help employers understand the value of work-based learning for their businesses, students, and local communities. The manager will establish regional launch plans and a repeatable approach to network growth, represent Xello with state and regional organizations, and build a pipeline of employer partnerships and available opportunities. They will work with Xello’s client-facing teams, Michigan school districts, ISDs, RESAs, and CTE programs to understand priorities and student needs, and track recruitment, engagement, opportunities, and network impact. The compensation range is $65,000–$90,000 USD. The final offer depends on the candidate’s experience and expertise. This is a current vacancy that Xello is actively seeking to fill.

Requirements

At least 4 years of relevant experience in employer engagement, workforce development, business development, community partnerships, or education-to-workforce initiatives.
Deep understanding of Michigan’s business community, workforce development ecosystem, and regional economic priorities.
Familiarity with Michigan’s K–12 educational landscape, including Intermediate School Districts (ISDs) and Regional Educational Service Agencies (RESAs).
Proven success recruiting businesses, building strategic partnerships, and managing long-term relationships across public and private sectors.
Understanding of work-based learning, Career and Technical Education (CTE), career readiness models, and state-level workforce development programs.
Ability to communicate the value of WBL to employers across high-demand sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, technology, skilled trades, and professional services.
Strong self-motivation and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and drive initiatives from concept to execution.
Exceptional presentation, networking, relationship management, and interpersonal communication skills.
Experience using Salesforce or a similar CRM to manage outreach pipelines, stakeholder relationships, and engagement metrics.
Based in Michigan and able and willing to travel throughout the state (approximately 20–30%) to meet employers, agencies, and education partners and attend events.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated success building or expanding a partner network is considered a strong asset.
Established professional relationships with Michigan employers, Chambers of Commerce, workforce development boards, industry associations, or higher education institutions are strongly preferred.
Relationships with, or experience partnering with, community colleges, universities, technical centers, or other postsecondary training providers would be an asset.

Responsibilities

Help shape and grow Xello’s Michigan statewide WBL network by developing regional launch plans, recruiting initial partners, and establishing a repeatable approach to growth across the state.
Serve as Xello’s on-the-ground state representative and ambassador, liaising with state and regional agencies, workforce organizations, and industry associations.
Lead employer recruitment and activation, converting outreach and introductions into active partnerships, published WBL opportunities, and sustained industry participation.
Develop partnerships with Chambers of Commerce, workforce development boards, economic development organizations, and industry associations.
Build relationships with community colleges, universities, and postsecondary training providers to connect K–12 career exploration with further education and employment.
Collaborate with Xello’s client-facing teams, Michigan school districts, ISDs, RESAs, and CTE programs to understand priorities and student needs, identify gaps, and connect schools with relevant employers and opportunities.
Build and maintain a pipeline of Michigan employers across industries and regions, working with them to create meaningful WBL experiences for K–12 students and grow the network year over year.
Explain the benefits of WBL to employers, including talent pipeline development, stronger community relationships, and addressing workforce shortages.
Support employers with onboarding, opportunity creation, and active participation in Xello’s WBL network.
Represent Xello at Michigan workforce development events, Chamber meetings, employer roundtables, education conferences, state agency meetings, and community partnership events.
Track employer recruitment, engagement, and available WBL opportunities to measure the growth and impact of the statewide network.