Workforce Development Specialist

IMEC Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center; United States; Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision coverage

401(k) match

PTO 5 weeks

Holidays

Life/AD&D/Disability coverage

Year-end bonus eligibility

Job summary

IMEC Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center is seeking a Workforce Development Specialist to lead workforce improvement initiatives for manufacturers across Illinois. You will help design and implement training systems, onboarding programs, career pathways, and performance improvements aligned with client business goals.

This role combines field-based engagements with remote work from a home office, requiring frequent travel within Illinois.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred.
• 3+ years with manufacturing organizations in workforce development or related fields.
• Experience with training systems and employee development.

Responsibilities

• Engage manufacturers to identify workforce development needs and design solutions.
• Provide strategic guidance for long-term workforce development.
• Deliver training, coaching, and performance expertise per client needs.
• Develop proposals with Regional Managers.
• Lead workforce engagements from planning to outcome tracking.
• Create onboarding programs and apprenticeship frameworks.
• Develop curriculum with videos, job aids, and materials.
• Act as trusted advisor throughout engagements.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Training design

LMS integration

CRM systems

Public speaking

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Salesforce CRM

Microsoft Office

LMS platforms

Job description

MUST RESIDE IN ILLINOIS

• Field-based work environment with work conducted from a home office when not onsite at client facilities
• Frequent travel throughout the state to support client engagements and onsite activities
• Work authorization required. IMEC is unable to sponsor visas for this role.

Position Overview

The Workforce Development Specialist is a hands-on advisor who leads the implementation of workforce improvement solutions for manufacturers across Illinois. As a subject matter expert, this role delivers high-impact solutions tailored to client needs, including workforce training systems, onboarding, training and development, career pathways, and performance improvement initiatives. The Workforce Development Specialist partners with client teams to design and implement sustainable workforce solutions that strengthen employee development, align workforce strategies with business objectives, and drive measurable improvements in organizational performance.

Why Join IMEC?

IMEC offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and time away from work, including:

• Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
• Up to 8% employer 401(k) match
• 5 weeks of PTO to start, with increased accrual based on years of service
• 10 paid holidays plus an annual year-end organizational closure
• Company-paid life, AD&D, and disability coverage
• Eligibility for a year-end incentive bonus based on organizational and individual performance

Key Responsibilities

• Engage with manufacturers to understand workforce development challenges and design solutions that strengthen onboarding, training effectiveness, and employee development, that leads to strong retention and improved organizational performance.
• Provide strategic guidance to manufacturers that helps them build a long-term approach to workforce development success.
• Provide training, coaching, and workforce performance expertise based on client needs and area(s) of specialization.
• Develop proposals and solution plans in collaboration with Regional Managers
• Manage and execute workforce performance engagements from planning through implementation and outcome tracking, including:
  • Conducting workforce needs diagnostics to identify capability gaps, workforce training challenges, and improvement opportunities.
  • Designing and implementing structured onboarding programs that improve employee integration and time to proficiency.
  • Developing and implementing workforce training systems, including Learning Management System (LMS) integration and training processes that improve consistency and effectiveness.
  • Designing apprenticeship programs and defined career pathway frameworks that support employee development and long-term workforce sustainability.
  • Developing supervisors by providing tools, frameworks, coaching approaches, and training solutions that strengthen their ability to effectively lead, coach, and develop employees.
  • Develop custom curriculum including educational videos, job aids, training presentations, and other materials as required.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and workforce performance lead throughout the client engagement lifecycle.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of workforce development solutions offered by IMEC.
• Provide thought leadership in workforce performance and development through webinars, public speaking engagements, and published articles.
• Support the development of third-party resources and strategic partnerships that strengthen workforce performance solutions and services.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree preferred
• 3+ years of experience working with manufacturing organizations, including leadership, workforce development, talent management, training, human resources, organizational development, or consulting responsibilities
• Strong background in workforce development, talent management, training systems, organizational development, human resources, leadership development, or a related field
• Experience working with small and mid-sized manufacturers is a plus.

Additional attributes include:

• Ability to manage multiple client engagements simultaneously and meet project deadlines
• Adaptability in diverse environments, including varied manufacturing sectors, multiple touch points across organizations, and company cultures
• Entrepreneurial and client-focused approach with the ability to assess varying levels of organizational readiness and tailor solutions that align with client needs, priorities, and continuous improvement goals
• Proficiency with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), Microsoft Office Suite, and virtual collaboration platforms
• Willingness to travel across the state and work in both remote and onsite environments

Work Environment

Remote/Field-Based Work Environment: Work is performed from a home office when not onsite at manufacturing facilities. The role combines independent remote work with regular in-person client engagement.