Economic Development Planner Jobs Near Me

The Business Services Consultant serves as a strategic workforce development professional responsible for cultivating employer partnerships, assessing workforce challenges, and developing customized workforce solutions that support business growth and regional economic development. This position exercises independent judgment and discretion in planning, implementing, and evaluating employer engagement strategies, workforce initiatives, and talent development solutions.

Working collaboratively with the Workforce Board, OhioMeansJobs Columbus-Franklin County staff, economic development organizations, educational institutions, and community partners, the Business Services Consultant acts as a trusted advisor to employers by providing workforce intelligence, talent acquisition strategies, and workforce development resources designed to address current and future workforce needs.
This position is classified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Employer Engagement and Workforce Consulting

• Develop, cultivate, and maintain strategic relationships with employers, industry associations, economic development organizations, educational institutions, and community partners throughout Franklin County.
• Collaborate with the Workforce Development Board Business Solutions Team, and in-demand industry sector representatives to identify workforce challenges, talent needs, and business growth opportunities.
• Serve as a workforce consultant to employers by assessing workforce needs and recommending customized workforce solutions, recruitment strategies, talent pipeline initiatives, incumbent worker training opportunities, and workforce development resources.
• Establish and maintain frequent contact with employers to identify hiring needs, workforce trends, skill gaps, and opportunities for workforce system engagement.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive knowledge of local labor market conditions, industry trends, economic development initiatives, and workforce demands affecting employers throughout the region.
• Promote awareness and utilization of OhioMeansJobs Columbus-Franklin County workforce services through outreach to employers, community leaders, workforce partners, and business organizations.
• Enlist the cooperation and support of community leaders, employer organizations, chambers of commerce, and industry associations to increase employer participation in workforce programs and services.

Workforce Strategy and Business Development

• Develop and implement employer engagement strategies aligned with Workforce Board priorities and regional economic development initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to expand employer participation in workforce programs, training initiatives, apprenticeships, incumbent worker training, and sector partnerships.
• Collaborate with workforce partners and economic development organizations to address workforce shortages and emerging talent needs.
• Support business retention and expansion efforts by connecting employers to workforce resources and solutions.

Talent Acquisition and Workforce Solutions

• Develop a diverse portfolio of employment opportunities and workforce solutions that align with employer needs and support career advancement opportunities for job seekers.
• Conduct strategic talent searches and workforce matching activities by evaluating candidate qualifications, transferable skills, training credentials, and employer requirements.
• Assist employers in recruiting, interviewing, screening, and hiring qualified candidates by providing workforce expertise, recruitment support, and labor market intelligence.
• Collaborate with case management, career services, and workforce development staff to facilitate successful job placements and workforce outcomes.
• Maintain current and comprehensive information regarding local employment opportunities, industry hiring trends, and employer workforce needs.
• Provide workforce intelligence and hiring trend information to internal staff to improve service delivery, candidate referrals, and workforce planning activities.
• Coordinate employer presentations, industry information sessions, and workforce readiness events that educate job seekers regarding employment opportunities, workplace expectations, and career pathways.

Labor Market Analysis and Performance Management

• Analyze labor market data, workforce trends, economic conditions, and industry workforce demands.
• Prepare workforce reports, presentations, recommendations, and business intelligence summaries for employers, leadership, and workforce stakeholders.
• Monitor employer engagement outcomes and evaluate the effectiveness of workforce initiatives.
• Develop recommendations for continuous improvement based on performance data and employer feedback.

Workforce Program Development and Implementation

• Support the development and implementation of workforce initiatives, sector strategies, employer partnerships, and special projects.
• Participate in strategic planning activities related to workforce development and employer services.
• Identify innovative approaches to workforce challenges and recommend program enhancements.
• Contribute to grant-funded initiatives and workforce development projects that support regional workforce priorities.

Rapid Response and Workforce Transition Services

• Collaborate with the Rapid Response Team to support employers and workers impacted by layoffs, closures, or workforce disruptions.
• Assist in developing workforce transition strategies and reemployment initiatives.
• Coordinate employer engagement activities related to workforce recovery and talent redeployment efforts.
• Conduct ongoing employer follow-up activities to assess customer satisfaction, evaluate workforce outcomes, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Analyze employer feedback, workforce performance metrics, and labor market data to develop recommendations for enhancing workforce services and employer engagement strategies.
• Maintain accurate records of employer interactions, workforce activities, placements, and outcomes within ARIES, SALESFORCE, Acuity and other workforce information systems.
• Utilize workforce data and performance measures to evaluate service effectiveness and support strategic decision-making.

Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and organizational policies governing workforce development programs.
• Maintain accurate documentation of employer activities, workforce outcomes, and service delivery within ARIES and other workforce systems.
• Monitor service quality and ensure employer needs are addressed in a timely and professional manner.

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Stay current on workforce development legislation, labor market conditions, economic trends, and best practices.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Workforce Development, Public Administration, Economic Development, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in workforce development, recruiting, employer engagement, human resources, business development, economic development, or a related field or public-sector workforce programs preferred.
• Experience managing projects, strategic partnerships, or workforce initiatives preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of workforce development systems, employer engagement strategies, labor market information, and economic development principles.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion when evaluating employer needs and recommending workforce solutions.
• Strong analytical, organizational, strategic planning, and problem-solving abilities.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to interpret workforce data and labor market information to support decision-making.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities independently.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, CRM systems, workforce databases, social media platforms, and AI-enabled technologies.

Requirements

• Valid driver’s license in good standing and automobile insurance
• Ability to travel throughout Franklin County and surrounding areas as required.
• Availability to attend employer meetings, workforce events, and community activities, including occasional evenings and weekends.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Equus Workforce Solutions is a leading provider of workforce development services in North America. With a dedicated and passionate team, Equus puts the industry’s best practices to work by focusing on the development, design, and delivery of demand-driven workforce solutions.

When you join Equus, you can expect extensive learning opportunities and networking programs. But most of all you can expect to make a lasting impact on the lives of others.

At Equus we are strengthened by diversity. We are committed to providing a work environment in which everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect. Equus Workforce Solutions is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, age, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, religion, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or reprisal or any other characteristic protected under state, federal, or local law.