Manager, Industry Partnerships, Workforce Dev

ASME (The American Society of Mechanical Engineers); Livingston (NJ); Remote; USD 94,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

ASME is seeking a collaborative Manager, Industry Partnerships, Workforce Development to lead employer and industry engagement for apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and work-based learning programs. This role builds partnerships across industry, education, and workforce systems, aligning programs with employer needs and supporting high-quality training outcomes.

Working with leadership to expand partnerships and improve program impact, the role requires strong relationship-building and

Qualifications

• Five+ years of experience in apprenticeship, workforce development, or employer engagement.
• Experience building and managing employer or industry partnerships.
• Knowledge of registered apprenticeships, federal workforce systems, RAPIDS, WIOA, and grant-funded programs preferred.
• Strong relationship-building, stakeholder engagement, communication, and presentation skills for virtual and in-person settings.
• Ability to translate employer workforce needs into practical program solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead employer and industry engagement to expand ASME apprenticeship and work-based learning programs.
• Build long-term relationships with employers across sectors and serve as primary partner contact.
• Support development and execution of partnership agreements and MOUs.
• Engage employers to assess workforce needs and skill gaps for programs.
• Collaborate with internal teams to align curricula and on-the-job training plans.
• Provide guidance on apprenticeship structures, roles, and onboarding.
• Maintain relationships with industry intermediaries, colleges, boards, and agencies.
• Represent ASME in meetings and advisory committees; coordinate employer participation.
• Help recruit employers and apprentices and develop new opportunities.
• Promote best practices in mentorship and supervisor support.
• Track KPIs related to engagement and outcomes; assist grant reporting.
• Identify workforce funding and aid proposal development.

Skills

Relationship-building

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Translate employer needs

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in workforce development, education, business, or related field

Equivalent combination of education and 5+ years experience

Tools

Microsoft 365

CRM (Salesforce)

Job description

About ASME

ASME helps the global engineering community develop solutions to real-world challenges. Founded in 1880 as The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a nonprofit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing, and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society. ASME codes and standards, publications, conferences, continuing education, and professional development programs provide a foundation for advancing technical knowledge and a safer world. From college students and early-career engineers to project managers, corporate executives, researchers, and academic leaders, ASME's members are as diverse as the engineering community itself.

Role Summary

ASME is seeking a collaborative and relationship-focused Manager, Industry Partnerships, Workforce Development to lead employer and industry engagement for apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and work-based learning programs. Working closely with the Director, Workforce Development and the Apprenticeship Program Manager, this role builds and sustains partnerships across industry, education, and workforce systems. The Manager helps align programs with employer workforce needs and supports high-quality training and employment outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead employer and industry engagement efforts to expand participation in ASME apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and work-based learning programs.
• Build and sustain long-term relationships with employers across targeted industry sectors and serve as the primary point of contact for employer partners.
• Support the development and execution of partnership agreements, memoranda of understanding, and employer commitments.
• Engage employers to assess workforce needs, occupational skill requirements, and talent gaps suitable for apprenticeship and work-based learning models.
• Collaborate with internal teams and education partners to align curricula, competencies, and on-the-job training plans with employer needs.
• Provide guidance and technical assistance to employers on apprenticeship structures, roles, responsibilities, and benefits, and support employer onboarding, orientation, and ongoing engagement.
• Maintain relationships with industry intermediaries, community colleges, workforce boards, professional societies, government agencies, and other external organizations.
• Represent ASME in meetings, working groups, and convenings related to workforce development and apprenticeships, and coordinate employer participation in advisory committees and program improvement activities.
• Contribute to strategies to recruit employers, partners, and apprentices, and facilitate discussions to develop new apprenticeship and work-based learning opportunities.
• Promote best practices in mentorship, supervision, and apprentice retention.
• Track key performance indicators related to employer engagement and partnership outcomes, contribute to grant reporting, and recommend data-informed program improvements.
• Support the identification of workforce development funding and grant opportunities and collaborate with internal teams, including philanthropy , on proposals and funder engagement as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in workforce development, education, business, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and at least five years of relevant professional experience.
• Minimum of five years of experience in apprenticeship, workforce development, or employer engagement.
• Demonstrated experience building and managing employer or industry partnerships.
• Working knowledge of registered apprenticeships, federal workforce systems, RAPIDS, WIOA, community colleges, and grant-funded programs preferred.
• Strong relationship-building, stakeholder engagement, communication, and presentation skills for virtual and in-person settings.
• Ability to translate employer workforce needs into practical program solutions.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work cross-functionally.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and CRM or data-tracking tools, such as Salesforce.
• Commitment to culture and inclusion in workforce development.

This role is eligible for a remote work arrangement. Periodic business travel may be required, including but not limited to, ASME offices, globally.

ASME is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. At ASME, we nurture an inclusive environment, and we encourage, support, and celebrate diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, citizenship status, disability, or protected veteran, military status, or any other basis protected by law.

Our Equal Employment Opportunity policy pertains to every aspect of an individual's relationship with the organization, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, training and development, promotion, programs, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

Annual base salary may vary based on geographic location. The New York metro salary range for this position is estimated to be between $94,000 - $98,500 per year.

Only those candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.