Business Services Workforce Investment Manager

Company Overview:

Worksystems, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that pursues and invests resources to improve the quality of the workforce and the lives of workers in the city of Portland, and Multnomah and Washington counties. Our mission is to coordinate a regional workforce system that supports individual prosperity and business competitiveness. We are the area’s most effective means of connecting workforce development funding with the community-based organizations best-positioned to make the most out of it. Worksystems brings together good-faith actors – direct-service providers, government agencies, private-sector enterprises, and community nonprofits – to work toward something that makes us all proud: a closer-knit, more prosperous, more equitable metro region.

Worksystems is committed to promoting and supporting Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in all aspects of our internal and external work. JEDI values are embedded across our internal HR policies and practices, as well as a core indicator of success metrics in our Strategic Plan. Our team is dedicated to increasing our individual awareness, creating more equitable and inclusive spaces for our employees, partners, and jobseekers, and combatting systems of oppression.

About the Position:

The Program Manager – Business Services reports directly to the Chief Program Officer, works closely with the Leadership Team, and oversees direct reports on the Business Services team. The Business Services team’s goal is to connect the workforce supply from Worksystems’ programs with employer demand and raise job quality for workers in our target industries, which include: Healthcare, Construction, Clean Energy, Manufacturing, and Early Childhood Education.

The Program Manager’s main priorities are split between ensuring that Business Services goals are achieved in alignment with the company’s strategic plan and serving as a strategic partner on the Leadership Team to continue improving collaboration. This is also a working manager position responsible for their own portfolio of projects and oversight for projects assigned to their team.

Job Duties:

• Under the guidance of the Chief Program Officer, develop and implement strategies for providing solutions to complex workforce problems for the industries and business in our region, in accordance with the vision of management, the Board, Department of Labor, and other funding sources.

• Oversee, coach, and guide staff who:

• Facilitate industry partnerships and respond to workforce training and support services needs within our target industries.

• Recruit employers to hire participants from our programs; organize connections between Worksystems programs’ “supply” of trained workers and our employer partners’ “demand”.

• Manage Worksystems’ work based training programming including apprenticeships and on-the-job training.

• In collaboration with the Chief Program Officer and Program Managers, identify and pursue external partnerships that enhance our services to the community through stronger connections to communities, increased resources and services, improved alignment with public systems, and other means. Serve on collaborative task forces or committees as needed.

• Coordinates resource development for assigned areas.

• Develop systemic relationships with service providers, mandated partners, community organizations, economic developers, business associations, labor, and others to coordinate and enhance available workforce development services.

• Provide project management leadership and oversight including contract and budget development, identification of partner roles and outcomes.

• Support Worksystems organizational development initiatives with staff to ensure a productive, healthy team environment.

• Help to identify system strengths and weaknesses and recommend strategies to ensure continuous quality improvement.

• Ensure that a system is in place of providing technical assistance and training to service providers in various aspects of grant management, planning, and contract management.

• Lead or participate in program procurement processes.

• Participate in the negotiation of contracts for program and other agency services.

• Coordinate research and analysis of program data, labor market information, demographic trends and community needs to improve system quality, development and performance.

• Represent Worksystems in community forums to strengthen partnerships, advocate for system development/resource needs, and represent WSI and the workforce system.

• Oversee the preparation and dissemination of regular and periodic narrative reports and/or presentations to the Board, HECC-OWI, Department of Labor and various community groups.

• Generate ideas or practices, initiate and incubate opportunities for innovation within the regional workforce development system.

• Provide staff support to Board or other committees as assigned.

• Other duties as assigned.

What You Can Expect to Accomplish in the First 6 Months:

• Learn Worksystems Programs Team goals, processes, and procedures. Understand funding sources and active or potential grant opportunities.

• Attend bi-monthly Leadership Team meetings and contribute to the rollout and launch of our upcoming PY24 Strategic Plan.
• Complete Manager “Core” Training through LifeLabs Learning and work with the JEDI & HR Manager to onboard into Worksystems-specific management workflows.
• Work with Chief Program Officer and Management Team for onboarding to programs and partners.
• Establish regular individual and team meetings for management and supervision.
• Join necessary external work groups, committees, collaboratives and begin building relationships with key partners.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Five or more years of experience in the management and administration of work related to workforce development, economic development, program administration, private sector business, and/or community development.

• Knowledge and experience in program design, research methods, and analysis techniques, along with skill in contract development, negotiation, and management.

• Communicate effectively orally and in writing at all levels, making complex material clear and concise to varied audiences.

Demonstrated ability to:

• Lead and manage complex projects with emphasis on cost, quality, and performance

• Identify, evaluate, resolve complex project, program elements, and recommend solutions or alternative measures

• Show good judgment in selecting the appropriate methods and procedures for accomplishing project assignments

• Work collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds

• Prepare and make presentations to a variety of audiences

• Establish and meet designated timelines

• Work independently and be a team-player

• Actively contribute to a positive work environment

• Be detail oriented, have excellent organizational skills, be able to prioritize, and handle multiple competing tasks

• Perform research, evaluation, and analysis

• Show computer literacy and familiarity with Microsoft Office software and programs.

• Prior experience as a people manager preferred.

 *A note on qualifications: Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role. 

Physical and Sensory Requirements:

• Mostly sedentary work; using standard office equipment including: a computer, keyboard, and telephone. 
• Work environment: Hybrid. Employees are welcome to work-from-home most days but may be called into the downtown office or to a partner site as needed.
• Position requires occasional local travel within the Multnomah and Washington counties and may involve optional travel statewide or nationally to attend seminars, conferences, or other meetings.
• Be accessible during standard business hours ~9am - 5pm PT

 Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation please email [email protected].

Note:  Worksystems employees must live in the state of Oregon or Washington for payroll processing purposes.  Although we operate in a hybrid work environment, proximity to the Portland Metro Area is needed for this role.  Employees may have to attend in-person meetings in Washington or Multnomah counties. 

Benefits

Salary & Benefits:

• Starting Salary Expectations: $115,000 - $124,000 annually (New hires will generally not exceed this range, based on experience and internal equity).
• Medical (including vision) and dental plans with employer contribution toward monthly premiums
• 401k plan with up to 6% match, 100% vested at the time of enrollment
• Generous PTO
• 4 hours of Volunteer Leave per month
• 8 free sessions with mental health providers, unlimited free financial coaching, and 25% legal discounts through Canopy EAP

 Application Timeline: First review of resume’s will be 6/21/2024. After this date, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position open until filled.