Employer Partnerships Specialist

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Employer Partnerships Specialist

🔹 Company: Youth Opportunities Unlimited

🔹 Location: Cleveland, Ohio

🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid

🔹 Category: Non-profit, Youth Development

🔹 Date Posted: May 14, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 0-2 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site with hybrid work arrangement

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Cultivating and maintaining employer partnerships for work experience opportunities
• Recruiting employers and validating worksites
• Matching participants to available opportunities
• Providing excellent customer service to employer and community partners
• Supporting and training seasonal team members

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills. Experience in non-profit or youth development sectors is beneficial but not required.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Nurture and support existing employer partnerships and community partnerships

✅ Conduct intake with participants from partner agencies and recruit employers

✅ Develop relationships with employers and secure worksites for young adults

✅ Conduct periodic worksite visits and lead worksite supervisor orientation sessions

✅ Match program participants to available work experience opportunities

✅ Provide ongoing support and training to seasonal team members

✅ Assist with career fairs, resume writing workshops, and other professional development events

ASSUMPTION: This role involves frequent travel to community locations and requires strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with employers and participants.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Communications, Human Resources, Management, Organizational Leadership, or other related field from an accredited college or university preferred. An additional 4 years of work experience can be substituted in lieu of a bachelor’s degree. High School Diploma required.

Experience: At least 1 year of data entry, database coordination, and word processing experience.

Required Skills:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient with database systems and Microsoft Office Suite programs
• Familiarity with Northeast Ohio employers, neighborhoods, subdivisions, and public transportation routes
• Ability to work independently and with teams with minimal supervision
• Valid transportation to/from Y.O.U. offices, partner organizations, and other community-based locations

Preferred Skills:

• Bilingual or multilingual skills
• Experience working with youth or in a non-profit setting

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with relevant experience in non-profit, youth development, or related fields may be given preference.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $35,000 - $45,000 per year (based on experience and industry standards for non-profit organizations in Cleveland)

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, vision benefits
• Company paid life insurance, AD&D, Short-Term Disability, Parental Leave, Employee Assistance Program, and Long-Term Disability
• Retirement Plan with generous employer contributions
• Generous paid time off package including 19 paid holidays
• Professional Development Assistance Program
• Access to a gym facility at the Y.O.U. Downtown Cleveland Office
• Paid Parking in Downtown Cleveland

Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week with a hybrid work arrangement (2-3 days in-office, 2-3 days remote)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for non-profit organizations in Cleveland. Actual salary may vary based on experience and performance.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Youth Development, Non-profit Organization Management

Company Size: 51-200 employees (Mid-size non-profit)

Founded: 1982

Company Description:

• Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) helps teens and young adults succeed by providing educational and workforce opportunities, skill development, and access to career pathways.
• Y.O.U. programs work to ensure every young person is ready to pursue a path to economic self-sufficiency through mentoring, workforce preparation, career exploration, and work experiences that lead to that important first job and post-secondary education or training success.
• Y.O.U. serves teens and young adults (14-24) living in economically distressed communities and partners with school districts, employers, nonprofits, and government entities to develop programs.

Company Specialties:

• Youth Employment
• Youth Workforce Development
• High School Graduation
• Entrepreneurship

Company Website: http://www.youcle.org

ASSUMPTION: Working at Y.O.U. offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of young people in Cleveland while collaborating with various stakeholders in the community.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Entry-level to mid-level, with opportunities for growth and development

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Program Manager, with close collaboration with the Employer Partnerships Team

Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with 2-3 days in-office and 2-3 days remote

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to a Program Manager or similar leadership role
• Expanding expertise in employer partnerships and youth development
• Gaining experience in non-profit management and community engagement

ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the organization and the broader youth development sector.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid, with a mandatory in-office day on Wednesdays and additional office days as needed

Office Location(s): 1228 Euclid Ave., Ste. 200, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, US

Geographic Context:

• Cleveland, Ohio, is the second-largest city in the state, with a diverse population and a rich cultural scene.
• The office is located in downtown Cleveland, with easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities.
• The role requires frequent travel to community locations throughout Northeast Ohio.

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with flexible hours to accommodate employer meetings and events

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility, allowing employees to make the most of their time and resources.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Phone or video screening
• In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and team members
• Background check and reference checks
• Job offer and onboarding

Key Assessment Areas:

• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Relationship-building and customer service abilities
• Organizational skills and attention to detail
• Cultural fit and alignment with Y.O.U.'s mission and values

Application Tips:

• Highlight relevant experience working with youth, in non-profit settings, or in employer partnerships.
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize skills and experiences that match the required and preferred qualifications.
• Prepare examples of your ability to build and maintain relationships, manage data, and problem-solve.

ATS Keywords: Employer partnerships, youth development, non-profit, data entry, database coordination, word processing, relationship building, customer service, communication, organizational skills

ASSUMPTION: The interview process at Y.O.U. is designed to assess candidates' fit for the role and the organization's mission, with a focus on communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Smartsheet
• Google Drive applications (Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides)
• Database systems (e.g., Salesforce, Zoho CRM)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools and technologies is preferred, but training will be provided as needed.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Excellence
• Integrity
• Collaboration
• Innovation
• Accountability

Work Style:

• Adaptable and flexible
• Results-driven and proactive
• Strong team player with excellent communication skills
• Committed to Y.O.U.'s mission and values

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you demonstrate excellence in your work, and how have you handled situations where you fell short?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you had to build a relationship with a difficult individual or organization, and how did you approach it?
• How do you stay organized and manage multiple tasks and priorities in a dynamic work environment?

ASSUMPTION: Y.O.U. values candidates who are passionate about their mission, committed to excellence, and eager to collaborate with diverse stakeholders to achieve meaningful outcomes.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Working with a diverse range of employers and community partners, each with their own unique needs and expectations
• Managing a high volume of data and ensuring accurate record-keeping
• Balancing the demands of multiple priorities and deadlines
• Navigating the complexities of the non-profit sector and funding constraints

ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong organizational skills, adaptability, and a commitment to Y.O.U.'s mission and values.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to other employer partnerships roles, this position places a stronger emphasis on data management and record-keeping
• In the non-profit sector, Y.O.U. is known for its comprehensive approach to youth development and commitment to excellence
• Career progression in this role may involve moving into program management, leadership, or related fields within youth development or non-profit management

ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities for professional growth and development within the youth development sector and the broader non-profit community.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a new system for tracking employer partnerships and work experience opportunities
• Conducting a comprehensive review of Y.O.U.'s employer partnerships strategies and making data-driven recommendations for improvement
• Planning and executing a large-scale career fair or employer engagement event

ASSUMPTION: These projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and opportunities available in this role, from strategic planning to hands-on implementation.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does this role fit into Y.O.U.'s overall strategy for youth development and workforce preparation?
• What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare to succeed in them?
• How does Y.O.U. support the professional growth and development of its employees?
• What are the most rewarding aspects of working in employer partnerships at Y.O.U.?
• How does Y.O.U. engage with the broader community to ensure its programs remain relevant and effective?

ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate a candidate's interest in the role, the organization, and the broader youth development sector.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare for your interview by researching Y.O.U.'s mission, values, and programs, and thinking about how your background and experiences align with the required qualifications
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your interview to express your continued interest in the position

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.