Business Development Specialist

Ballad Group

Ballad is hiring a Business Development Specialist to connect and amplify our Brooks Workforce Employment Readiness and Connections Program (WERC).

At Ballad Group our training programs have built capacity in diverse areas including entrepreneurship, insurance, information and computer technology, construction, French language acquisition, hospitality, supply chain management, and more. We have delivered unique training programs for a variety of organizations, Indigenous Communities and on behalf of the Ministry of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration and Ministry of Assisted Living and Social Services.

The goal of the WERC program is to develop and administer individually focused direct skill enhancement training and job placement to enable multi-barriered Albertans find and maintain employment.

The Opportunity

The Business Development Specialist plays a key role in connecting WERC participants with meaningful employment opportunities. This position focuses on building strong relationships with employers and identifying job placements that align with participant skills and employer needs.

Working closely with the WERC team, the Business Development Specialist gets to know our participants and actively seeks out employment opportunities that support their success. This role requires someone who is comfortable reaching out to employers, building new partnerships, and helping businesses find great talent.

The Business Development Specialist will also promote the WERC program within the community by attending events, meeting with employers, and building awareness of the program and the value our participants bring to the workforce.

While the role is based out of Ballad’s Brooks office, much of the employer engagement will take place in Brooks and the surrounding region.

If you enjoy building relationships, spotting opportunities, and helping people move into meaningful work, this role offers the chance to make a real impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a business development strategy to attract employers and agencies aligned with Ballad and the WERC program, promoting activities internally and externally.
• Source and finalize quality placements that benefit both participants and employers.
• Collaborate with program staff to identify employers and participants for successful job matches.
• Deliver a set number of job placements per month while managing employer relationships for up to 90 days and beyond.
• Provide pre-employment support in resume and cover letter development, application assistance, and interview preparation.
• Assess potential employers for alignment with participants’ skills, qualifications, and goals.
• Coordinate job placement details, including hours, wages, and benefits, between participants and employers and maintain all necessary data tracking and job placement reporting
• Maintain awareness of current employment opportunities and labour market trends.
• Address attitudinal barriers and work to remove stigmas associated with employment for non-traditional candidates.
• Represent Ballad at career fairs, trade shows, and other events as required.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date information in Ballad’s database and tracking reports.
• Connect participants with employers for work experiences and job placements.
• Provide input for active service management to ensure client success.
• Follow up and complete associated reporting.
• Perform general administration and other duties as 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 individual
• Experience with pre-employment strategies and knowledge of the local labour market are considered assets
• Exposure to diversity and inclusion programs is an asset

• Must have a valid driver’s license