Business Engagement Consultant

Wake County; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 39,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Capital Area Workforce Development is a public‑private partnership focused on economic development by connecting employers with second‑chance talent through the PROWD initiative. The Business Engagement Consultant builds and sustains employer relationships, assesses hiring needs, and matches qualified candidates to opportunities within the NCWorks system.

This role travels to partner sites across multiple NC counties, maintains accurate employer records, delivers high‑quality service, and

Qualifications

• Associates degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Sales or related field.
• Two years of job related experience.
• Equivalent education and experience are accepted.

Responsibilities

• Build, grow, and maintain partnerships with employers interested in second‑chance employment.
• Assess employer hiring needs and communicate the benefits of partnering with CAWD/NCWorks.
• Manage the PROWD employment engagement process, including matching qualified candidates to opportunities.
• Maintain accurate employer records and communication within the CAWD employer database.
• Deliver high‑quality customer service to businesses and economic development partners.
• Leverage knowledge of reentry services and workforce resources to support employer HR needs.
• Conduct follow‑ups with employers to ensure satisfaction and contract compliance.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to provide clinical or technical assistance as needed.
• Track performance metrics, maintain thorough documentation, and submit accurate and timely reports.
• Frequent travel to partners located in Johnston, Lee, Chatham, and Orange counties and collaborate closely with a peer who supports Wake County.

Skills

Partnership building

Employer engagement

Customer service

Communication

Research and reporting

Travel

Education

Associates degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Sales or related field

Two years of job related experience

Equivalent education and experience are accepted

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

What You'll Be Doing

The Business Engagement Consultant is a skilled business professional responsible for building and sustaining strong relationships with employers who are currently engaged in — or open to — second‑chance hiring. This role plays a vital part in helping employers identify their talent needs while educating them on the value of partnering with CAWD and NCWorks.

In this position, the Business Engagement Consultant will support the Partnerships for Reentry Opportunities in Workforce Development (PROWD) grant initiative by managing the full employment engagement process. This includes connecting qualified job candidates with employers, developing and maintaining employer contacts, and ensuring accurate, timely communication across CAWD’s employer database.

A strong customer‑service mindset is essential, as this role represents CAWD within the business community and promotes a wide range of workforce services, resources, and solutions available through the NCWorks system.

Key Responsibilities

• Build, grow, and maintain partnerships with employers interested in second‑chance employment.
• Assess employer hiring needs and communicate the benefits of partnering with CAWD/NCWorks.
• Manage the PROWD employment engagement process, including matching qualified candidates to opportunities.
• Maintain accurate employer records and communication within the CAWD employer database.
• Deliver high‑quality customer service to businesses and economic development partners.
• Leverage knowledge of reentry services and workforce resources to support employer HR needs.
• Conduct follow‑ups with employers to ensure satisfaction and contract compliance.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to provide clinical or technical assistance as needed.
• Track performance metrics, maintain thorough documentation, and submit accurate and timely reports.
• Frequent travel to partners located in Johnston, Lee, Chatham, and Orange counties and collaborate closely with a peer who supports Wake County.

About Our Team

Capital Area Workforce Development is a public‑private partnership that focuses on economic development by ensuring the local workforce has the skills, training, and education to meet the needs of local employers. The board oversees workforce solutions in Wake, Johnston, Lee, Chatham, and Orange counties serving businesses and individuals of all ages. We believe in economic development through workforce excellence. The award‑winning CAWD Reentry Team provides support services and employment assistance to help prepare men and women returning from incarceration for successful employment and self‑sufficiency. CAWD is the local provider for the federal Partnerships for Reentry Opportunities in Workforce Development (PROWD) grant initiative. Through this initiative, CAWD will provide case management, job training, employment assistance, and supportive services for individuals being released from the Butner Federal Prison. This is a time‑limited position through March 2029 with the possibility of extension. To learn more about Capital Area and the work we do, visit: https://capitalareancworks.com/

Required Education and Experience

• Associates degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Sales or related field
• Two years of job related experience
• Equivalent education and experience are accepted

Preferred Education and Experience

• Three years’ experience effectively building partnerships and engaging employers
• One year experience working with the employment barriers of justice‑impacted individuals (can be through lived experience)

How Will We Know You're 'The One'?

• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with employers to promote use of workforce development services while being flexible and creative in the use of resources to meet changing customer demands
• Knowledge of and experience with sales/marketing or HR, including (recruiting, application process, hiring, termination, assessment tools) and specialized HR topics (benefits, turnover analysis, job skills analysis, staff development)
• Ability to conduct business research on individual employers/industries when consulting
• Ability to generate, interpret and analyze reports
• Ability to communicate effectively (oral and written) to groups or individuals at a business/ professional level
• Knowledge and ability to use effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions and/or reaching conclusions
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to maximize the use of time so that the many diverse tasks associated with the position can be completed accurately and timely
• Ability to work well in teams and independently as a self‑motivated professional able to focus on results and solutions
• Ability to convey information clearly and concisely to groups or individuals either verbally or in writing to ensure understanding
• Skilled in operating office equipment and other relevant technology (software and systems) to meet business needs (e.g., Microsoft Office and electronic document management system)
• Must have a valid N.C. Driver’s License with access to personal vehicle for transportation and ability to travel to different sites within NC PROWD service area (Wake, Johnston, Lee, Chatham, Cumberland, Guilford and Orange counties)

About This Position

Location: Midtown N Office Park Raleigh, NC 27609

Employment Type: Regular

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:30am-5:15pm

Hiring Range: 27.88-33.00

Market Range: 27.20 - 42.63

Posting Closing Date: 7:00 pm on 9/21/2026

What Makes Wake Great

Consistently ranked high among the best places to live and work in America, Wake County is home to NC State University, Research Triangle Park, and 2006 Stanley Cup Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes. In addition to being Wake County’s seat of government, Raleigh is also the center of state government, with the Capitol Building, legislature and many state government offices located in Raleigh. With an estimated population of just over 1.2 million residents, Wake County is North Carolina’s most populous county. Entertainment, recreation, and art and culture abound with the North Carolina Museum of Art, JC Raulston Arboretum, and the Neuse River Trail all in the heart of Wake County. Wake County uses the Council/Manager form of government. Currently, the seven members of the Board of Commissioners are elected by district on a partisan basis and serve four‑year terms. In Fall 2026, two at‑large seats will be added for nine total commissioners. The County is regarded as a fiscally responsible and well‑managed government, enjoying a AAA bond rating. The County’s FY2026 General Fund budget is approximately $2.1 billion, and the County has over 5,100 full‑time employees. Wake County Government came in at #2 on the Healthiest Employers list for 2024. This year, US News & World Report ranked Raleigh #5 on its list of Best Places to Live, and the Milken Institute ranked Raleigh #1 on its 2025 list of Best‑Performing Cities.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Wake County provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

Background Check Statement

Position may require a background check that may include: criminal, credit, motor vehicle, education, and sexual offender registry or others based on job requirements. Unless required by state law, a record of conviction will not automatically exclude you from consideration for employment. Wake County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Emergency Service Worker Statement

In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations should be expected. Employee may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours and/or work location in preparation for, during and after the emergency. Employee may also be required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.