Workforce Development Associate Jobs in Santa Clara, CA

The Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG) is seeking a highly qualified candidate to serve as an Associate in Workforce Development. In this role, you will support SVLG's efforts in the Bay Area K-16 Collaborative.

The Bay Area K-16 Collaborative is an equity-centered regional initiative focused on improving student outcomes across the K-16 continuum and creating pathways into high-demand, high-wage careers.

As the lead employer intermediary for the Collaborative, SVLG works closely with employers, K-12 school systems, and higher education institutions to strengthen inclusive talent pipelines. Our focus: preparing students for careers in an economy shaped increasingly by advances in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and emerging technologies.

To drive these efforts, SVLG implements a robust work-based learning continuum that provides students with meaningful career-connected learning experiences throughout their educational journeys. We facilitate a Regional Steering Committee composed of corporate leaders and education partners who provide strategic guidance, foster regional alignment, and co-develop solutions that strengthen workforce competitiveness and expand opportunity. Additionally, we play a central role in project managing cross-sector partnerships, serving as a connector, convener, and capacity-builder between industry and education to ensure initiatives are responsive to regional workforce needs and result in equitable student outcomes.

Position Summary

The Workforce Development Associate will play a critical role in advancing the Bay Area K-16 Collaborative and will report directly to the Vice President of Civic Impact at the Silicon Valley Leadership Group.

The primary responsibility of the Workforce Development Associate will be to secure, coordinate, and sustain employer partnerships and work-based learning experiences for Bay Area high school, community college, and university students. These partnerships will prepare students for careers in AI-enabled, technology-driven industries while helping employers build stronger talent pipelines. Work-based learning experiences may include:

• Career fairs
• Guest speakers
• Mentorship
• Worksite visits
• AI, engineering, semiconductor, healthcare, and technology-focused project-based learning experiences
• Internships
• Apprenticeships
  

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Proactively build relationships with industry HR and talent leaders, education leaders, chancellors, presidents, deans, faculty, and workforce partners.
• Staff the Bay Area K-16 Collaborative Regional Steering Committee, which convenes approximately 40 regional leaders to guide the initiative. Responsibilities include cultivating member relationships, supporting agenda development, preparing presentation materials, taking meeting minutes, coordinating logistics, managing invitations, and supporting follow-up activities.
• Staff the SVLG Employee Resource Group (ERG) Consortium, which enables incumbent employees at member companies to build inclusive programming, accelerate career growth, and improve business operations.
• Represent SVLG and the Bay Area K-16 Collaborative at internal and external meetings, conferences, and community events focused on workforce innovation, AI readiness, education, economic competitiveness, and employer engagement.
• Research labor market trends, AI-driven workforce transformation, emerging occupations, employer talent needs, higher education initiatives, and regional workforce priorities to inform program strategy.
• Develop marketing materials, presentations, reports, fundraising narratives, and other communications that support employer engagement and partnership development.
• Build relationships with key policymakers, community leaders, education organizations, employers, and ecosystem partners advancing workforce innovation.
• Pursue and develop grant partnerships and strategic collaborations that support the program.
• Track, analyze, and report Collaborative activities and outcomes.
• Support the planning and execution of SVLG and K-16 Collaborative meetings and events, including executive roundtables, member convenings, career fairs, worksite visits, student networking events, and regional summits that bring together employers, educators, policymakers, and workforce leaders.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree, bachelor's degree, or equivalent professional experience in workforce development, education, employer engagement, partnership development, project management, public policy, or a related field.
• Preferred 2-3 years of professional experience in workforce development, education innovation, talent strategy, employer engagement, partnership development, program management, advocacy, fundraising, business development, or related fields.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage projects or workstreams from planning through execution, balancing multiple priorities while consistently delivering high-quality results.
• Excellent writing, communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills, with confidence representing an organization in meetings, events, and discussions with employers, educators, policymakers, and community leaders.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to anticipate challenges, solve problems proactively, and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience coordinating complex meetings, events, partnerships, or collaborative initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, work through ambiguity independently, and identify opportunities to improve processes and strengthen outcomes.
• Knowledge of state and local education policy, workforce development systems, employer talent needs, and an interest in understanding how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are transforming education and work
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain productive relationships with employers, education institutions, community organizations, government agencies, and other external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced, and evolving work environment while producing work that is ready for external audiences with minimal supervision.
• Ability to attend occasional early morning and evening meetings with advance notice.
• Ability to travel throughout Silicon Valley and the greater Bay Area.

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits including health, dental (employee contribution), and a 401(k) plan.

Our office, located in San Jose, provides free parking and is within walking distance of public transit.

A key component of this position is regular in-person engagement with SVLG member companies, education partners, policymakers, and community organizations. Candidates should reside in or plan to relocate to Silicon Valley or the greater San Francisco Bay Area.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Silicon Valley Leadership Group provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming workplace. All employment with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group is at will.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit:

• Cover Letter explaining your interest in the position and how your experience aligns with the role.
• Resume outlining your professional experience and accomplishments.
• Writing Sample demonstrating your ability to communicate effectively.

About the Silicon Valley Leadership Group

The Silicon Valley Leadership Group was founded in 1977 by one of Silicon Valleys pioneers, David Packard. Today, SVLG serves as the nations most effective and dynamic business association representing the innovation economy and its ecosystem.

As we strive to bolster the business competitiveness of the region, SVLG is establishing a new vision of corporate citizenship and working to catalyze a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable future for Silicon Valley and beyond. Our members' vision of leadership embodies accountability, equity, inclusion, and environmental stewardship, and were applying an entrepreneurial mindset to solving the toughest challenges facing both our nation and the region.

Through its Civic Impact initiatives, SVLG works alongside employers, education institutions, workforce organizations, and public-sector leaders to strengthen future-ready talent pipelines, expand access to high-quality career opportunities, and help prepare students and workers for careers shaped by artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and the rapidly evolving future of work.