Head of Workforce Development & Employer Partnerships

DeKalb County; Decatur (GA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

DeKalb County is seeking a Manager of Workforce Development to provide strategic leadership for DeKalb WORKS workforce programs, guiding career coaching, outreach, employer engagement, and job development. You will supervise a small team and ensure high-quality service delivery to recruit, train, place, and retain participants.

The role emphasizes program compliance, staff development, and partnership building with employers and community entities to strengthen the county's workforce pipeline

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in workforce development, human services, business administration, public administration, education, or related field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in workforce development, case management, employer engagement, or program coordination.
• Experience supervising staff or leading teams preferred.
• Knowledge of WIOA workforce service models, employer engagement strategies, and labor market trends.
• Strong communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations, employers, and community partners.
• Proficiency with workforce case management systems and documentation standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily supervision, guidance, and performance management for the Career Coach & Outreach Coordinator and Job Developer / Business Services Representative.
• Establish clear goals, workflows, and service standards aligned with WIOA and DeKalb WORKS program requirements.
• Monitor program operations to ensure coordinated participant recruitment, enrollment, coaching, job development, and placement activities.
• Lead weekly team meetings to review caseloads, employer needs, outreach priorities, and participant progress.
• Oversee intake, assessment, career planning, supportive service coordination, and job placement workflows.
• Ensure participants receive high-quality coaching, job readiness support, and referrals to training providers and supportive services.
• Review participant progress, credential attainment, employment outcomes, and follow-up engagement.
• Guide employer outreach strategies and ensure alignment with local labor market demand.
• Support staff in developing employer partnerships, identifying job openings, and coordinating hiring events, OJT opportunities, apprenticeships, and work-based learning placements.
• Review employer service records, placement outcomes, and sector partnership activities.
• Direct outreach strategies to recruit eligible participants into workforce programs.
• Oversee staff participation in community events, schools, libraries, faith-based organizations, and partner agencies.
• Ensure consistent messaging, distribution of outreach materials, and coordination of information sessions and workshops.
• Ensure adherence to WIOA regulations, DeKalb County policies, and workforce program guidelines.
• Review and approve participant files, employer documentation, cost commitments, and service records.
• Prepare program performance reports, recruitment summaries, employer engagement updates, and outcome dashboards for leadership.
• Support audits, monitoring visits, and quality assurance reviews.
• Collaborate with WorkSource DeKalb leadership, job developers, training providers, and community partners to strengthen workforce pipelines.
• Participate in strategic planning, sector partnership development, and countywide workforce initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve service delivery, expand employer partnerships, and enhance participant outcomes.

Skills

Strong communication

Leadership

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree in workforce development

Job description

DeKalb County is seeking a Manager of Workforce Development to provide strategic leadership for DeKalb WORKS workforce programs, guiding career coaching, outreach, employer engagement, and job development. You will supervise a small team and ensure high-quality service delivery to recruit, train, place, and retain participants.

The role emphasizes program compliance, staff development, and partnership building with employers and community entities to strengthen the county's workforce pipeline