Talent Connector (Contract / Part-Time)

POSITION SUMMARY

The release of Talent Connections: Your Guide to Leveraging Chicago’s Workforce Investments has generated interest from employers who want to better understand and engage with workforce development resources. This role ensures that employer inquiries are responded to promptly and effectively, fostering meaningful connections between employers and workforce development programs. By responding to inquiries, following up, and facilitating key introductions, the Talent Connector plays a vital role in maximizing the impact of Talent Connections and strengthening employer engagement in the workforce ecosystem.

This is a “sales” role that doesn’t involve selling anything! The Talent Connector is responsible for engaging with employers, workforce development professionals, and other stakeholders to provide information, facilitate introductions, and support ongoing relationship-building. The role requires a proactive, personable professional who enjoys networking, engaging with business leaders, and helping employers connect and work with nonprofit and government organizations. Estimated commitment for this role is 10-18 hours per week.

LOCATION: Hybrid

• In-person meetings or on-site work in Chicago (Loop) 2-3 days per week
• Attendance at networking and employer events (e.g., SHRM, Executives Club, Chamber of Commerce, hiring events) is required, including some breakfast or early evening events.
• Occasional retreats in other locations.
• Virtual engagement (LinkedIn, email, virtual meetings, online forums) is also a core part of the role.

RESPONSIBILITIESResponding to Employer Interest & Building Relationships

• Serve as a key point of contact for employer inquiries sparked by Talent Connections and related outreach efforts.
• Provide employers with information on workforce development programs and facilitate warm introductions to providers.
• Attend in-person and virtual employer events to engage with business leaders and answer questions about workforce development resources.
• Develop relationships with business service representatives in workforce development to ensure seamless employer connections.
• Engage with employers and workforce development professionals via LinkedIn, responding to comments and messages, and initiating relevant conversations.

Follow-up & Connection Facilitation

• Maintain ongoing communication with employers who have expressed interest in workforce development programs.
• Follow up with employers via email and LinkedIn to provide additional resources or facilitate introductions.
• Once employers are referred to providers, follow up with providers to track outcomes and offer support.
• Encourage other team members to connect with key contacts on LinkedIn.

Employer Engagement & Marketing Support

• Identify and propose creative ways to grow employer interest in workforce programs.
• Collaborate with the team to refine messaging and outreach approaches based on employer and partner feedback.
• Contribute to employer-facing marketing efforts, including LinkedIn campaigns, earned media, targeted email outreach, and event promotions. 
• Participate in the execution of employer engagement initiatives, ensuring follow-through on key strategies.

Data Management & Communication

• Keep track of interactions and employer engagement efforts in the organization’s contact management system (training provided). 
• Add new contacts to the CRM and mailing lists, ensuring proper follow-up and engagement.
• Research potential employer contacts and build a database of interested organizations. 

JOB INTERACTIONS

The Talent Connector collaborates with the Executive Director, Program Officer, workforce development professionals, employer partners, and other team members.

SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES

The Talent Connector must demonstrate these attributes and capabilities:

• Outgoing, personable, and confident in networking and engaging with business professionals.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft effective follow-up emails and LinkedIn messages.
• Experience with b-to-b selling, especially to human resources / talent executives and line managers in middle market businesses. 
• Comfortable initiating conversations and building relationships in both in-person and virtual settings.
• Detail-oriented, with strong organizational and follow-up skills.
• Experience using LinkedIn for professional networking.
• Familiarity with workforce development concepts (preferred, but not required—training provided).

TECHNOLOGIES TO BE EMPLOYED

• Google Workspace
• LinkedIn
• Homegrown CRM (training provided)
• Other tools as needed

While experience with any of these technologies is helpful, we can allocate time to learn any new tools or applications.

COMPENSATION

Starting at $35/hour plus incentive compensation