ABOUT GENERATION
Generation is a global non-profit organization that supports adults to achieve economic mobility through employment. Generation trains and places adult learners of all ages into careers that are otherwise inaccessible, working in partnership with governments, employers, and other system actors. Launched in 2015, Generation comprises a global hub (Generation You Employed, or GYE) and a network of in-country affiliates. To date, the network has nearly 120,000+ graduates, 15,500 employers and 40+ professions in 17 countries. When learners join Generation, 90% are unemployed, of whom half are long-term unemployed. Three months after program completion, graduates have an 80% employment rate, rising to 90% within six months. Generation graduates have earned $1 billion+ in wages to date, globally.
WHO ARE GENERATION BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTORS?
The Generation Business Development team is tasked with securing high-quality jobs for our graduates. Business Development contractors are responsible for engaging new employer partners to become part of the Generation employers’ network, for maintaining relationships with existing employers and for collaborating with the U.S. Delivery Team to transition learners to full-time employment. Fueled by passion for the social sector, and enabled by a growth mindset with personal responsibility, Generation Business Development contractors help to identify and cultivate the opportunities that enable economic mobility for our learners. If this sounds like you, we welcome you to learn more about a business development role with Generation.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Job type: Paid full-time (40 hours per week)
Job duration: This is a contract role with a 6-month term, which may be extended up to 12 months as funding is confirmed. As we scale the region, there may be opportunities to continue longer term in contract or permanent opportunities.
Location requirements: Remote (strong access to WiFi is required to perform well in this role), based in the U.S. and available to work at least from 9 am – 12 pm EST daily to collaborate with global colleagues and other hours can be worked flexibly.
Start date: As soon as possible
WHAT YOU’LL DO
We are seeking an exceptional Business Development contractor to develop and maintain employer partners for Generation’ training programs. Our first cohort in the region is a new Software as a Service (SaaS) Sales Development Representative (SDR) job training and placement program. As a Business Development contractor, you will work closely with our global employer engagement team to generate job vacancies for the SaaS SDR role to enable learner job placement at one of Generation’s employer partners.
You will play a pivotal role as we establish our US operations through fully remote program delivery and job placements for learners based in Appalachia (job opportunities may be located anywhere in the U.S). We plan to use this program to create data insights on conditions for successful remote work so we may expand beyond Appalachia to serve all rural US communities. Your efforts will contribute to changing the lives of unemployed and underemployed individuals seeking economic stability and mobility.
Business Development contractor Responsibilities
- Identify prospects through referrals and online platforms
- Partner with the Global Employer Engagement Lead and the Head of U.S. Programs to develop new relationships with employer organizations and advise them on how to best engage with Generation.
- Proactively reach out to employers to understand their hiring needs and strengthen engagement and utilization.
- Create and maintain a strong network of connections in the employer community to leverage our services.
- Keep updated on current trends and happenings with the employers’ sectors and communities to better understand our clients’ needs.
- Participate in conferences, exhibitions and other venues as applicable to increase and maintain Generation visibility. This includes brand building at conferences, learning events and other channels.
- Other responsibilities will include market intelligence gathering, opportunity tracking and follow-up, and presentations to prospective employers.
- Conduct routine strategic analyses of employer opportunities in the U.S. market
- Create an income stream via hiring partners
- Manage “onboarding” of new employer partners.
B. Maintain Existing Employer Relationships (25%)
- Regularly engage stakeholders to maintain interest, relevance and buy-in.
- Facilitate the sharing of newsletters and success stories to already engaged employers to ensure they remain motivated about the Generation.
- Facilitate routine one-on-one and group meetings to get feedback on Generation graduates and the Generation engagement process.
- Schedule routine individual employer feedback to ensure Generation understands issues, challenges, concerns as well as success stories of Generation graduates.
- Ensure that Generation acknowledges its employer partners whenever relevant and shares their brand.
C. Assist in the transition to employment (20%)
- Work closely with the Employability Coach to support learner transition to full-time employment, including collaborating with employer partners to establish & execute application submission and interviewing events.
- Share relevant job leads with learners on a regular basis post-program
D. Additional Responsibilities (5%)
- Effectively communicate important updates and relevant employer engagement information to various stakeholder groups (e.g., US Delivery team, Global functional teams, GYE senior leadership)
- Share key data and insights from employer interactions with the internal team to inform decision-making and refine plans, initiatives and strategies.
- Collaborate also with the Head of U.S. Programs, Global Employer Engagement lead and other Generation team members to analyze trends and identify growth opportunities in line with Generation US’ goals.
About You
- Highly interested in bridging the social and professional gap for learners who are entering a new industry
- Ability to work in high-pressure situations and fast-paced environments
- Track record of achieving challenging operational targets
- Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail
- Positive, solution-oriented attitude and drive for excellence
- Entrepreneurial, creative, proactive mindset required to work in a start-up-like environment
- Professional demeanor, exceptional communication skills and confident and assertive in presenting Generation United States’ offerings effectively
- Proactive problem-solver and adaptable, quickly adjusting to changing marketing conditions and preferences
- Collaborative and able to build trust-based relationships with diverse stakeholders
- Self-reflective and open to frequent feedback from Generation learners and the Generation team
- Effective at working in remote work environments
Experience we are looking for
- Recommended minimum of 4+ years of business development experience, preferably in the tech or sales sectors
- Knowledge of the sales process from initiation to close
- Prior CRM software experience, ideally Salesforce
- Experience working with an underserved population preferred