Senior Program Manager, Employer Relations

Job Description Job Description Position Title: Senior Employer Relations Manager Reports to:

Associate Director, Employer Relations Departments: Office of Employer Relations Last Revised: January 2025 Salary Range: $65,000 - $70,000 Position Description:

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced individual to join our team as the Senior Employer Relations Manager. In this role you will be responsible for spearheading The Washington Center’s growing foothold in high profile, corporate partnerships. The Senior Employer Relations Manager provides high-touch management to TWC’s existing corporate partners, advising them on the full life cycle of their internship programs and offering regular engagement opportunities.

The Senior Employer Relations Manager also leads TWC’s corporate business development by forming growth strategies, prospecting, and networking with high profile leads. This role also has intermittent supervisory responsibilities, managing TWC’s Business Development Interns on an as-needed basis. The Washington Center is a remote/hybrid organization with the majority of employees working on average one day per week in TWC’s Residential and Academic Facility, conveniently located near Union Station and public transportation in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, DC.

Given our organizational mission focus on skills, workforce development and collaboration, there are times where cross-collaboration among teams and departments will require more than one day per week in the office. The individual in this role is expected to reside in the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area. JOB FUNCTION IMPORTANCE (%) BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Prospect employers and alumni to identify potential high-profile host sites that align with TWC’s values and fill gaps in TWC’s employer portfolio Contact potential host sites to learn about their internship programs, uncover areas of need, and pitch TWC as a partner Collaborate with the Associate Director of Employer Relations to understand enrollment trends and assist in the development of business development strategies to meet organization needs Attend conferences and networking events to uncover new leads and broaden TWC’s local presence Use SalesForce to create, track, and organize business development leads 35% MARKETING Collaborate with TWC’s Communications team to develop marketing materials, web resources, and digital strategy to attract new, high-profile partners Create and carry out informational events to engage with employer partners and serve as a thought leader in discussions of equitable internships 15% EMPLOYER RELATIONS & INTERNSHIP MANAGEMENT Manage a portfolio of TWC’s high-profile, corporate partners by providing full life cycle support to their internship programs Onboard new employer partners by acquainting them with TWC’s job site and recruitment process Negotiate intern compensation with employers (both new and existing) to grow TWC’s proportion of paid internships Support employer partners during cases of intern conduct or concern by gathering information and offering potential solutions 35% SUPERVISORY Supervise one Business Development Intern to support high-touch projects 15% Preferred Education/Qualifications and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in a related field (business, marketing, communications, higher education, or a relevant discipline). A master's degree is preferred. Proven experience in employer relations, business development, or a related field. Strong leadership and management skills with the ability to inspire and motivate a team.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with industry employers. Results-driven mindset with a track record of meeting or exceeding performance metrics. Familiarity with internship programs, industry trends, J-1 Visa processes, and employer needs.

Strong negotiation and persuasive skills to secure new partnerships and opportunities. Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Familiarity with business-to-business prospecting tools Familiarity with Salesforce and/or other customer relationship management tools Knowledge of early-career hiring trends Knowledge of issues regarding equity and inclusion in the workplace Ability to uncover pain points by asking relevant, targeted questions Ability to plan and host both virtual and in-person information sessions Ability to identify innovative solutions to complex issues Ability to custom-build a sales pitch based on social and business context Ability to provide constructive criticism to executives and high-profile businesspeople Skills conducting online research to identify new leads or sources of leads Skills building and maintaining strong working relationships Supervisory Responsibility This position has supervisory responsibilities. Competencies required to perform the job successfully (management) Leads/develops/empowers people, develops relationships, inspires trust Effectively executes organizational priorities Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving Change Management The Washington Center’s Values guide our mission work in every regard–internally and externally. Equity & Inclusion Learning Connection & Collaboration Integrity Impact Equipment Used to Perform the Job which may be representative but not all inclusive of those commonly associated with this position : Cloud-based technologies Standard office equipment including a computer, job-related software The Washington Center is a majority remote organization: for most employees, employment with TWC will not be contingent on physical presence in an office space.

The Washington Center does have some physical space in Washington, D.C. and the individual in this role is expected to work in-person at various times throughout the year as and when the need arises. Physical Abilities are commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation can be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job described.

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The Washington Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is TWC's policy to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Provisions in applicable laws providing for bona fide occupational qualifications, business necessity or age limitations will be adhered to by the organization where appropriate. The Washington Center stands in solidarity with all marginalized communities. We believe communities are strengthened by the inclusion of and equity for all people.

Racism, hate, and violence have no place in our society, and we condemn all such acts. We are committed to becoming an anti-racist and anti-hate organization. We commit to continuously striving for diversity, equity and inclusion through ongoing education, reflection, and awareness.

As an organization nearing five decades in existence, we recognize we have work to do. At The Washington Center, each person brings unique and varied lived experiences which inform our thoughts, actions, and decision-making processes. We aim to create an inclusive, safe environment for our staff, students, and all stakeholders, where everyone’s differences are honored, every perspective is valued, and everyone is safe to bring forth their authentic selves.