Business Developer Urban Seniors Jobs Program (USJP)

Urban League of Essex County; Newark, Northern (NJ, KY); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Urban League of Essex County is seeking a Business Developer in Newark, NJ to build relationships with employers, assess employability, and connect job seekers with opportunities. You will provide counseling, job matching, and referrals to support ESPs and successful service plan completion.

The role involves cold-calling employers, arranging interviews, and delivering job readiness support. A strong knowledge of Newark's business environment is preferred, with MS Office proficiency and

Qualifications

• Two to three years of experience in workforce development and employer outreach.
• Four-year degree preferred; significant professional experience may substitute.

Responsibilities

• Make cold calls to employers to explain services and benefits.
• Match current openings with job seekers and arrange interviews.
• Develop employment and on-the-job training opportunities.
• Assist clients with resumes, job search strategies, and interviews.

Skills

Employer outreach

Customer care

Written communication

MS Office proficiency

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Five years of relevant experience may substitute

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Position/Title: Business Developer

Location: 508 Central Avenue, Newark, NJ
Hours: Monday to Friday; 9am - 5pm
Salary: $50,000 to $55,000 annually plus benefits
Reports To: Urban Seniors Jobs Program - Department Director
Position Posted: 8/7/26 until filled

BASIC FUNCTIONS:

Under the direction of the Urban Seniors Jobs Program's Department Director, the Business Developer's primary responsibility is to develop relationships with employers while monitoring Employment Service Plans (ESPs). He/ she will conduct assessments of individuals' employability dimensions to determine suitability for services and make appropriate referrals both internally and externally to community services to support successful service plan completion. The Business Developer will assist clients in achieving employment goals by providing individual employment counseling as needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Make cold calls to potential employers explaining the benefits and employment support services provided to employers, including addressing employer's special needs.
• Provide direct job matching of current openings to job seekers. Offer qualified job seekers the opportunity to interview for posted positions.
• Promotes and develops employment and on-the-job training opportunities for job seekers.
• Assist clients with such matters as job readiness skills, job search strategies, writing resumes, and preparing for job interviews.
• Provide local labor market information - What companies and industries are in the area? What skills and experience local area employers prefer and require? What is the usual means of entry into those companies/industries? and advise job seekers on how best to apply.
• Assist job seekers in determining employment support needs.
• Enter accurate data for job seekers into designated reporting computer systems and update the data as needed.
• Conduct outreach to job seekers and employers within the community.
• Connect with community groups, agencies, and additional organizations involved in providing community-based career planning resources.
• Attend networking events in the evenings and represent ULEC at community meetings.
• Check-in with the job seeker and/ or the employer to assess quality and success of the referral.
• Identifying growing employment sectors and potential employers.
• Develop relationships with employers to understand their businesses and the job requirements of positions they seek to fill.
• Work with employers to identify specific skills they are seeking and develop a process for job seekers to acquire those skills.
• Maintain contact and dialogue with employers and respond to their concerns.
• Work as a member of a cross-functional team by sharing information, participating in team meetings, and helping to track and report progress as well as outcomes.
• Provide job and career coaching, follow up, and job retention services to job seekers.
• Advocate for hard-to-employ residents such as those with a disability or justice impacted individuals.
• Providing reports and data on a timely basis as needed by project partners and funders.
• Provide monthly reports regarding job openings, neighborhood applicants, and an analysis of outcomes.

DESIRED TRAITS:

• Ability to work in a performance-based system with a proven track record of meeting targets and outcomes is essential.
• Requires minimal supervision, able to work independently, and maintain a supportive and cooperative environment with colleagues.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Two to three years of experience in workforce development, business-to business services and customer care, with an emphasis on employer outreach and service to disadvantaged populations. Previous success in business development, recruiting, and job retention services is highly desirable.
• Four-year degree preferred but significant professional experience (five years or more) may substitute for formal education at the discretion of the hiring manager.
• Excellent working knowledge of the local business environment in Newark, NJ and surrounding communities.
• General knowledge and understanding of the needs of a low-income working population as well as knowledge of available community resources.
• Excellent social/interpersonal skills and writing ability commensurate with the communication and reporting requirements of the position.
• Well-organized and self-directed.
• Must be Proficient in MS Office Applications such as Word, Excel, and Power Point as well as Outlook and in conduct internet research.
• Ability to work in a performance-based, outcomes-driven environment with a proven track record of meeting targets is essential.
• Requires minimum supervision, able to work independently, and maintain a supportive and cooperative environment with colleagues.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in workforce development, business-to-business services, and customer care, with an emphasis on employer outreach and service to the disadvantaged preferred.
• Previous successful experience in business development, recruiting, and job retention services is highly desirable.
• Excellent knowledge of the local business environment in Newark, NJ.
• General knowledge and understanding of the needs of a low-income working population as well as knowledge of available community resources.
• Excellent social/interpersonal skills and writing ability commensurate with the communication and reporting requirements of the position.
• Well-organized and self-directed.
• Must be Proficient in MS Office Applications; Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook and able to effectively utilize the internet for research.
• Must have a valid driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle as this position requires regular local travel.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA):

The Urban League of Essex County (ULEC) will provide applicants and employees with reasonable accommodation for disabilities or religious beliefs. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact our HR Department at [phone] Ext 220.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.