Job Description

Ballad
Ballad is an Alberta-based group of professionals, strengthening the communities in which we live and work. We provide services related to research, training, partnership development, process improvement, and full-scale implementation. Ballad listens first, provides exceptional quality and services, and we believe everything we do should have a positive impact.
This position will play an active key role in our Northwest Essential Skills to Success program. Reporting to the Regional Program Coordinator with mentorship from the Grande Prairie Program Advisor, the Business Development specialist will lead marketing and business development efforts within the employment industry. As a Business Development Specialist, you will plan, prepare, and implement innovative strategies to create meaningful and lasting relationships with employers, clients and agencies throughout the Northwest Region of Alberta and with our program participants.
The Opportunity
The Business Development Specialist will play a key role within Ballad’s Northwest Essential Skills to Success (NW ESTS) training program. Our NW ESTS program is specifically designed to train Albertans to meet the dynamic job demands outlined by employers within multiple industries. When appropriate, a paid job placement is granted to participants as part of the program where they can apply their skills obtained throughout the program.
The Business Development Specialist will be responsible for the development, recruitment, and partnership management surrounding the employment sector in the Northwest region of Alberta. The partnership will ensure quality job placements are found for our ESTS program participants.
The Business Development Specialist must demonstrate strong relationship, communication, entrepreneurial and self-starter skills, as they will be expected to seek out new employment opportunities across the region and job matching employers to program participants. This requires someone to understand our program participants profile to successful match them with employment and meet the ever-changing needs of individual participants and employers.
As the key resource for the program for the primary office located in Whitecourt, the Business Development Specialist will utilize excellent judgment to develop credible and meaningful relationships with program participants and other stakeholders, ensuring strictest confidentiality. This individual will work closely with the NW ESTS staff and the program participants to identify opportunities and to resolve concerns.
This position will have resources available from primary program office in Whitecourt and our secondary office location in Grande Prairie. Permanent office space will be allocated for this position in both locations. A large portion of the work will be done remotely and for locations. The program is accessible by participants in Northwest Alberta which includes Whitecourt, Grande Prairie, Grande Cache, Hinton, Edson, Jasper, High Level, Peace River, High Prairie and Slave lake. It is anticipated that majority of the business development work will be focused from Grande Prairie and the Northwest region.
Key Responsibilities

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• Create and implement a business development strategy to attract employers and agencies that align with Ballad and the NW ESTS program. Promote program activities internally and externally.

• Provide positive solutions to challenges amongst staff, participants, and partners.
• Source and finalize quality placements where, both the participants and employer, have mutual gains.
• Collaborate with program staff to identify employers and participants with the focus on a successful job match.
• Deliver a set number of job placements per month while managing relationships with employers up to 90 days and beyond.
• Provide pre-employment support to the program team and participants in areas of resume/cover letter development, assistance in the application process and interview preparation for participants
• Assess potential employers to find opportunities at align with participants skills, qualifications, and goals
• Coordinate job placement details such as hours of work, wages and benefits between participants and employers
• Coordinate placement details with clients and the program team as appropriate
• Maintain awareness of current employment opportunities and labour market trends
• Act as a representative to address attitudinal barriers, works to remove stigmas attached to employment and people outside the traditional labour pool
• Represent Ballad at career fairs, trade shows and other events as required
• Maintain accurate and up to date information in Ballad’s database and weekly tracking reports and other reports as required

• Working with the program team to connect participants with employers for various work experiences and job placements
• Provide input for the active service management of clients to ensure success
• Follow-up and associated reporting
• General administration as appropriate for the position
• Other duties that may arise from time to time and as may be assigned

Experience
A professional with proven experience collaborating with diverse individuals and groups, building and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and providing practical guidance for successful work placements.
The position requires the following skills, experiences and abilities:

• Post-secondary education is an asset but not required
• Prior experience in job placement and/or building customer relationships is preferred (an equivalent combination of education and professional experience will be considered)
• Intermediate skill level in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Intermediate skill level working in online database tools
• Exemplary verbal and written communication skills
• A genuine desire to build relationships with various client population groups, employers, and internal/external stakeholders
• Exceptional client service with the ability to present ideas and/or services to individuals and groups
• Able to take initiative and be resourceful in seeking out placement opportunities, including the ability to reach out and make connections
• Highly professional, driven, charismatic, reliable, and confident individua
• Experience with pre-employment strategies and knowledge of the local labour market are considered assets
• Exposure to diversity and inclusion programs is an asset

• Ability to work independently and remotely while on a team is required

Further Notes

• Must have a valid driver’s license
• All employees must be flexible to work based on the evolving Covid-19 situation and program requirements

Compensation and Benefits

• Compensation is commensurate upon experience.
• Full competitive benefits provided upon successful completion of three-month probationary period.
• Resources and equipment required to work in a remote setting is provided.

Candidates chosen for an interview will require three references. A secondary interview may be requested where a presentation showing initiative and problem-solving skills will be showcased
Deadline to Apply: September 12th, 2022