Workforce Development Manager

Lead Workforce Transformation. Empower Lasting Change.

Are you an experienced leader in workforce development with a passion for building lives and restoring dignity through employment? Atlanta Mission is seeking a strategic and mission-driven Next Steps Program Leader to oversee and grow our dynamic job readiness program, Next Steps—a critical initiative helping individuals transition from homelessness and unemployment to stability and self-sufficiency through long-term employment.

About the Program

Next Steps is the final phase of a holistic, 12-week transformational journey at Atlanta Mission. After receiving integrated support from mental health counselors, social workers, and life coaches, our clients enter Next Steps prepared to reenter the workforce with purpose and resilience. The goal is ambitious and clear: help every client find—and retain—meaningful employment for at least one year.

We do this through a team of five dedicated professionals:

• A Vocational Trainer guiding clients through life skills and team-building workshops
• A Vocational Specialist who builds personalized job search plans
• A Corporate Account Manager developing partnerships with employers committed to second-chance hiring
• A Retention Coach who supports clients post-employment for up to a year
• And now—we’re looking for a leader to guide this team and program to new levels of impact

Your Role:

As the Next Steps Program Leader, you’ll be the driving force behind the success of our workforce readiness efforts. You’ll lead, coach, and grow a mission-aligned team while building strategic partnerships, ensuring program excellence, and using data to measure and improve impact.

Key Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership & Development: Hire, manage, and mentor the team. Cultivate a culture of accountability, spiritual growth, collaboration, and excellence.
• Program Oversight & Outcomes: Own program outcomes—ensuring client success, satisfaction, and long-term employment. Optimize workflows, curriculum delivery, and service integration.
• Data-Driven Decision-Making: Monitor, analyze, and report on key metrics (e.g., job placement, retention, client progress) using Salesforce and other tools. Tell the story behind the numbers and act on what you learn.
• Strategic Partnerships: Maintain and grow the partnership with CARA (Chicago-based workforce organization whose proven model we adapt) and collaborate with corporate employers aligned with our mission.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with other Atlanta Mission leaders to align efforts across shelter, transformation, and employment services.
• Innovation in Workforce Development: Stay current with best practices in the field. Leverage partnerships, trainings, and industry insights to keep Next Steps fresh and effective.
• Reporting & Compliance: Manage monthly performance reporting, uphold program fidelity to the CARA model, and maintain the integrity of the Next Steps brand.

Who You Are:

• A mission-minded leader with a heart for people and a head for strategy
• A champion of second chances and the transformative power of employment
• Experienced in coaching and developing teams toward clear, measurable outcomes

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3–5 years of leadership experience in workforce development, vocational services, social enterprise, or related field
• Demonstrated ability to manage and develop staff in a performance- and mission-driven environment
• Proven track record using data to evaluate program impact and inform decision-making
• Experience building partnerships with employers or community organizations a plus
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to motivate and inspire
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care, barriers to employment, or homelessness services is a bonus

Why Join Atlanta Mission?

When you join Atlanta Mission, you’re not just taking a job—you’re stepping into a calling. You’ll be part of a faith-based organization changing lives daily through radical hospitality, transformational programming, and Christ-centered community. In this role, you’ll directly influence someone’s path from hopelessness to hope, from homelessness to housing, from joblessness to purpose.