SkillBridge Career Placement Manager

Job Description

Job Description

The Career Placement Manager (CPM) plays a vital role in ensuring successful employment outcomes for graduates of NPower’s SkillBridge program. This position focuses on developing and maintaining relationships with employer partners, identifying job opportunities aligned with program graduates’ skills, and guiding transitioning service members through their job search and placement process.

The CPM serves as a bridge between NPower’s students, alumni, and the civilian workforce—connecting qualified graduates to technology roles across the public and private sectors. The position requires strong business development acumen, relationship management skills, and a deep understanding of both workforce needs and the unique experiences of transitioning service members.

This is a remote position based in San Diego, requiring periodic travel to meet with employer partners, attend hiring events, and represent NPower at industry and community engagements. The position maintains a full-time schedule, which may vary depending on program needs and employer availability, with occasional evening or weekend work required to support events or job placement activities.

Key Responsibilities

Career Placement and Employer Relations

• Develop and maintain relationships with employers across public and private sectors to identify job opportunities aligned with NPower SkillBridge graduates’ skills and career goals.
• Sustain and expand partnerships with existing employer networks while cultivating new corporate and industry connections that support program growth.
• Match qualified program graduates with job opportunities and provide ongoing follow-up to ensure successful placement and retention.
• Collaborate with employers to understand workforce needs and translate those needs into actionable placement strategies.

Student and Alumni Support

• Provide individualized career guidance, resume feedback, and interview coaching to prepare students and alumni for employment success.
• Facilitate workshops or information sessions on job search strategies, salary negotiations, and professional communication.
• Track and report employment outcomes, ensuring each placement meets program quality and compliance standards.
• Maintain ongoing communication with placed graduates and employer partners to monitor satisfaction and retention.

Partnership Development and Outreach

• Represent NPower SkillBridge at career fairs, military base events, and industry networking functions to strengthen brand visibility and recruitment pipelines.
• Collaborate with Professional Development Managers (PDMs) to align classroom training with employer expectations and hiring trends.
• Work with Recruiting and Admissions Managers (RAMs) to communicate employer needs and adjust recruitment strategies accordingly.
• Leverage alumni and partner relationships to create mentorship and referral pathways for future program participants.

Data, Reporting, and Compliance

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of placements, employer contacts, and partnership activities in Salesforce and related systems.
• Monitor employment metrics, report placement outcomes, and provide data analysis to the SkillBridge Operations Director to inform strategy and performance reviews.
• Ensure all placement and partnership activities adhere to Department of Defense (DoD) SkillBridge regulations and NPower policies.

Organizational Collaboration

• Participate actively in national SkillBridge team meetings and cross-functional initiatives that improve student outcomes and strengthen program impact.
• Share best practices, insights, and employer feedback with peers and leadership to drive continuous improvement across the SkillBridge network.
• Contribute to a collaborative, mission-driven culture centered on service, accountability, and professional excellence.

Required Qualifications

• Three or more years of professional experience in workforce development, career services, business development, employer relations, or a related field focused on job placement and talent engagement.
• Demonstrated success in developing partnerships with employers, government agencies, or community organizations to connect candidates with career opportunities.
• Experience working with active-duty service members, veterans, or military-connected populations in a career coaching or employment placement capacity.
• Proven ability to meet or exceed performance goals within a results-driven or metrics-based environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders, from senior executives to transitioning service members.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace for data management, reporting, and communication.
• Ability to travel periodically throughout the western United States and occasionally work evenings or weekends to support events, hiring activities, or employer meetings.
• Authorized to work in the United States and able to comply with Department of Defense (DoD) SkillBridge program requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, human resources, workforce development, communications, or a related field.
• Prior military service or direct experience supporting transitioning service members and veterans in employment or workforce initiatives.
• Familiarity with Department of Defense (DoD) SkillBridge programs, Transition Assistance Programs (TAP), or similar military-to-civilian transition frameworks.
• Experience in corporate engagement, recruiting, or talent acquisition, particularly within the technology or cybersecurity sectors.
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills, with the ability to connect NPower graduates to meaningful employment opportunities through employer partnerships.
• Proficiency with social media and professional networking platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram) to promote employer partnerships, raise program visibility, and connect with potential hiring organizations.
• Background in event coordination, employer engagement, or job fair participation that supports candidate placement and partnership development.

Core Competencies & Traits

• Mission-Driven: Deeply committed to NPower’s mission of helping service members transition successfully into meaningful civilian careers through technology training and placement.
• Relationship-Oriented: Skilled in building, nurturing, and sustaining professional relationships with employers, partners, and stakeholders across diverse sectors.
• Technically Savvy: Comfortable using digital tools, CRM systems, and communication platforms; adaptable to new technologies that enhance efficiency and relationship management.
• Culturally Fluent: Understands the values, language, and structure of the military community; able to bridge the communication gap between military and civilian workforce cultures.
• Adaptable: Maintains flexibility and composure when managing multiple priorities, shifting schedules, and evolving program needs across different time zones.
• Collaborative: Works effectively as part of a cross-functional team; shares insights and contributes to continuous improvement within the SkillBridge network.
• Results-Focused: Consistently meets placement and partnership goals through persistence, organization, and proactive problem-solving.
• Professional and Personable: Represents NPower with integrity and professionalism in all interactions, balancing empathy with accountability to drive outcomes.

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of engaging effectively with corporate partners, veterans, and service members.
• Strong business development and networking abilities to cultivate and maintain employer relationships across industries.
• Proficient in career coaching techniques, including resume development, interview preparation, and professional branding.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze employment data and trends to identify placement opportunities and align program outcomes with market needs.
• Skilled in using CRM systems and digital communication platforms for tracking placements, managing employer pipelines, and maintaining accurate records.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and manage partner communications.
• Comfortable delivering presentations and facilitating workshops in both virtual and in-person environments.
• Demonstrates professional judgment and discretion when handling sensitive employment and participant information.