Business Engagement Manager - AOE International

The Leading Niche; Peoria (IL); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

AOE International is seeking a Manager of Employer Relations to build and maintain employer partnerships that convert training into jobs. You will secure signed MOUs, convene an employer advisory group, and collaborate with regional apprenticeship and union programs to place graduates.

You will coordinate work-based learning placements, track job openings, and report progress monthly to leadership. A Bachelor’s degree is preferred, with strong negotiation and presentation skills essential for

Qualifications

• Four or more years of experience in business development, employer services, apprenticeship coordination or the construction/energy industry.
• Experience securing hiring commitments or partnerships with employers.
• Knowledge of the region's electrical and solar contractors and building trades unions.
• Strong presentation and negotiation skills.
• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent industry experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Secure 8 to 12 signed employer MOUs or partnership agreements in Year 1.
• Convene the employer advisory group each quarter.
• Build relationships with union apprenticeship programs and contractor associations.
• Bring employers into the program with guest speakers, site visits, mock interviews.
• Arrange work-based learning placements in Kankakee and Champaign with host agreements.
• Track openings and tell leadership when demand shifts; report monthly.

Skills

Business development

Employer relations

Negotiation

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

AOE International is a non-profit organization focused on community support and development, with a strong emphasis on workforce development and education. We partner with various organizations to address social needs, including poverty, access to resources, and educational opportunities.

Position summary

Build and keep the employer relationships that turn training into jobs. The Manager secures signed employer agreements with hiring commitments, convenes the Hub's employer advisory group, and works with the IBEW local that covers the region and its apprenticeship committee.

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Secure 8 to 12 signed employer MOUs or partnership agreements in Year 1 that name the hiring, interviewing or hosting each employer commits to.
• Convene the employer advisory group each quarter to review the curriculum, graduate performance and hiring forecasts.
• Build working relationships with the union apprenticeship programs, contractor associations and Equity Eligible Contractors in the region.
• Bring employers into the program: guest speakers, job site visits, mock interviews and an interview day for each graduating cohort.
• In Kankakee and Champaign, where there is no Work-Based Learning Coordinator, arrange a work-based learning placement for every cohort, with a written host agreement covering safety, supervision and insurance.
• Track job openings and project timelines in solar, electrical and charging work, and tell the Training Manager and Navigator when demand shifts.
• Coordinate employer contact with the Navigator and AOE International's other CEJA programs so each employer is approached once.
• Record employer commitments, placements and feedback, and report them to the Director each month.

Qualifications and experience

• Four or more years of experience in business development, employer services, apprenticeship coordination or the construction or energy industry.
• A record of securing hiring commitments or partnership agreements from employers.
• Knowledge of the region's electrical and solar contractors and building trades unions.
• Strong presentation and negotiation skills.
• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent industry experience may be considered.