Manager of Community Engagement

JOB DESCRIPTION

Manager of Community Engagement – COMMON GROUND WORKS

WHY WORK FOR COMMON GROUND?

Common Ground is a multi-racial, nonpartisan group of everyday people dedicated to building power to bring about more racial equity and economic justice, to hold elected and corporate officials accountable, and to create positive change in the Greater Milwaukee area. Common Ground’s success is rooted in the commitment of its forty-two member organizations: congregations, neighborhood groups, non-profits, small businesses, unions and schools. We identify and develop leaders.

We set daring goals, create savvy strategies, and are willing to stand up to powerful interests. We get results. You can make an impact. Common Ground has a 17-year track record of creating meaningful change around foreclosure, education, youth jobs, health care access, voting, safe neighborhoods, and more. Visit our website to see our current and legacy campaigns: www.commongroundwi.org.

WHY COMMON GROUND WORKS (CGW)?

Common Ground has spent six years researching local and national workforce development programs, seeking to understand the types of programs that are most effective in creating lasting change for under and unemployed individuals. The outcome of that research has resulted in a determination to create our own Workforce Development Program called Common Ground Works (CGW), using the highly successful, long-term, and unique model of Cara Plus out of Chicago, Illinois. caracollective.org/ and Cincinnati Works out of Cincinnati, Ohio. cincinnatiworks.org/

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Manager of Community Engagement for Common Ground Works (CGW) will lead outreach and relationship-building efforts that connect the organization with the individuals, communities, and partners we serve in support of our mission to create pathways to economic mobility through job training, education, and employment services. This role is responsible for developing partnerships with local employers, community-based organizations, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to expand access to workforce development resources and drive program participation.

The Manager of Community Engagement is responsible for leading the startup and administration of a unique workforce development program in Greater Milwaukee that focuses on the ‘whole individual’ by providing services, training, mentoring, and coaching with the goal of long-term job retention. Services of CGW will include a comprehensive range of training and support for motivated individuals affected by poverty, homelessness and incarceration including life-skills training, and personalized career placement services.

Overall Responsibilities:

Community Partnership & Outreach

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with community-based organizations, workforce coalitions, employers, government agencies, and schools to create referral pipelines and collaboration opportunities.
• Represent the organization in local workforce development events, neighborhood coalitions, job fairs, and partner meetings.
• Develop and implement outreach strategies to engage underserved populations, especially those facing barriers to employment.

Program Promotion & Participant Engagement

• Drive awareness of the organization’s training programs, support services, and job placement opportunities through in-person and digital outreach.
• Work closely with program managers and intake coordinators to align outreach efforts with enrollment and retention goals.
• Design and distribute culturally relevant and accessible outreach materials to prospective participants and community stakeholders.
• Develop and implement transformational workshop curriculum.
• Supervise team of Employment Support Specialists to achieve optimal transformation for Common Ground Works member.

Employer & Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with employer engagement teams to connect community partners with job opportunities and hiring initiatives.
• Facilitate introductions and partnerships that expand job placement, internships, or apprenticeship pipelines for program participants.

Evaluation & Reporting

• Track engagement metrics, community partner satisfaction, referral trends, and impact outcomes.
• Gather and share community insights to inform program development, strategy, and grant reporting.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proven success in leading organizations and programs that deliver services to under or unemployed individuals or those experiencing poverty or homelessness, trauma, social injustice, or incarceration.
• Knowledge of workforce development programs helpful.
• Ability to effectively lead a staff responsible for the administration and management of a multitude of programs and activities.
• Considerable knowledge of the service delivery agencies within the region.
• Understanding of social services agencies and community services.
• Ability to communicate effectively and develop meaningful relationships with individuals and groups from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrated strategic planning skills with the ability to translate goals into program success.
• Strong business acumen with ability to set and manage budgets.
• Ability to successfully collaborate with other services provides for the good of the organization.
• Demonstrated supervisory and administrative skills.

Experience:

A combination of education and training equivalent to the qualifications as stated will be considered.

• Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Workforce Development, Public Administration, Communications, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in community engagement, outreach, or partnership development in a nonprofit or workforce development setting.
• Experience in working with at-risk populations.
• Familiarity with local labor markets, training programs, and barriers to employment faced by low-income communities.
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with CRM or participant tracking systems (e.g., Salesforce, Efforts to Outcomes).

Compensation and Benefits:

• 40 hours a week with some flexibility; occasional evening and weekend hours required
• Work remotely or in an office; some work will need to be in person
• Salaried position $75-90K based on qualifications and experience
• Health insurance stipend of $2,055
• Holidays and paid time off
• 5% retirement contribution after one year

How to Apply:

Interested applicants should email their resumes to the email address shown after clicking on the “Learn How to Apply” button below.