Employer Relations Specialist

The North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation (NCECF) is hiring an Employer Relations Specialist to join our team. NCECF’s work focuses on promoting understanding, spearheading collaboration, and advancing policies to help ensure every North Carolina child has a strong foundation for lifelong health, education, and well-being supported by a comprehensive, equitable prenatal-to-age-eight system.

The Employer Relations Specialist will play a key role to expand and support our innovative Family Forward NC® initiative. The initiative’s goal is to improve children’s health and well-being by supporting North Carolina businesses in creating family-friendly workplace policies, also a competitive factor that increases retention in the workplace. Through our Family Forward NC® Employer Certification, qualified employers are recognized for prioritizing the well-being of their employees and their families. This certification is only one of two in the nation.

Position Overview

This is a new, mid-level position to support existing work and help develop and carry out growth strategies to engage more employers in creating family-friendly workplaces. A priority for expansion is to support small businesses, with emphasis on reaching women and minority owned and led businesses, increasing their ability to offer family-friendly workplace benefits. Familiarity with these networks would be a strong asset for this position. The Employer Relations Specialist reports to the Community Engagement Leader and has the opportunity for advancement as the initiative grows.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a thought partner to the Community Engagement Leader
• Work with Community Engagement Leader to develop new strategies for growth and continuing engagement of the business community
• Contribute to building and executing a Family Forward NC® work plan
• Conduct outreach to community organizations, professional organizations, and employers to promote Family Forward NC®, employer certification, and community certification, including:
• Researching potential connections, business groups, associations, networks, or industries ○ Attending events and conferences throughout NC
• Hosting, creating, and giving presentations, virtually and in-person
• Maintaining contact with interested businesses and conducting short and long-term follow-ups
• Contribute to writing content for the Family Forward NC® newsletter and website
• Keep Family Forward NC® materials and assets up-to-date and organized
• Research and stay abreast of new topics and trends, employment law, and best practices in the field of family workplace policies
• Lead the Family Forward NC® Employer Certification application process, including:
• Manage and review employer applications and workplace policy documents via the electronic application system
• Shepherd employers and community partners through the process to become Certified in a timely manner
• Improve and monitor functionality and needed updates of the system
• Keep Certification application and associated materials aligned with Family Forward NC® best practices
• Maintain contact lists
• Assist in the preparation of grant reports and evaluation of the initiative
• Perform other duties as assigned. Skills and Abilities
• Ability to effectively inspire and motivate others of various backgrounds and beliefs through outreach and engagement
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills
• Ability to organize, analyze, and evaluate feedback and information
• Proactive, creative, flexible, and detail-oriented
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
• Ease and familiarity with Wordpress, Keela, Zoom, Airtable, and Survey Monkey and ability to problem solve technical issues
• Self-starter and quick learner with the ability to thrive in a small team and fast-paced environment
• Fluency in Spanish is a plus
• Team player who is willing to pitch in to support colleagues and the organization’s mission.

Education, Training, and Experience

• College degree preferred and three years of related professional experience; OR a minimum of five years of directly related professional experience; OR an equivalent combination of training and experience
• An understanding of how workplace policies support families, caregivers, and children
• Familiarity with federal and NC labor laws
• Familiarity with networks of small businesses and women and minority owned/led businesses
• Additional experiences are a plus:
• Experience in working with or in the private sector
• Knowledge of early childhood programs and policies in NC
• Knowledge of economic development programs and organizations in NC

Position Specifics

• This is a permanent position at 75% Full Time Equivalent (30 hours per week)
• Estimated on-the-job training time is three to six months.
• This is a North Carolina based position and most work is completed remotely. However, the Employer Relations Specialist must have the ability to travel frequently within the Triangle area and occasionally statewide to attend in-person meetings and events (approximately 10-15% of time spent traveling outside of the Triangle).
• Compensation range: $25.00 - $30.00 per hour depending on experience