Employer Relations Manager | The Washington Center

Salary Range: $60,000.00 to 70,000.00, Annually

The Washington Center (TWC) is a nonprofit organization operating a credit-bearing Academic Internship Program in partnership with hundreds of universities nationwide. The Employer Relations Manager owns the end-to-end partnership development process for their assigned portfolio within our network of 550+ organizations, achieving a high internship partner retention rate as well as a high internship placement success rate. This role requires consultative engagement, positioning TWC as a trusted advisor that not only provides quality interns but also supports employers in navigating workforce dynamics. This role serves as a strategic partner helping organizations understand and adapt to generational changes in communication styles, work expectations and professional development needs. A successful candidate will have an entrepreneurial, can-do attitude and thrive in a fast-paced, partner-focused environment.

The Washington Center is a remote/hybrid organization with many employees working on average one day per week in TWC’s Residential and Academic Facility, conveniently located near Union Station and public transportation in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, DC. Given our organizational mission focus on skills, workforce development and collaboration, there are times where cross-collaboration among teams and departments will require more than one day per week in the office. Further, some programs at TWC do require program staff to work nights and/or weekends. The individual in this role is expected to reside in the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area. 

Key Job Functions

Partnership Development & Account Management

Manage the entire partnership lifecycle, focusing on both acquiring new partners and retaining existing ones.
Develop and maintain relationships within portfolio, contributing to the organization's high retention rate of existing partners.
Support Assistant Director with business development initiatives based on projected student demand and seasonal needs.
Conduct employer vetting to ensure alignment with academic standards, TWC values and student safety requirements.
Prioritize in-person meetings and site visits for strategic partnership discussions and vetting assessments.
Articulate TWC's nonprofit mission and value as an academic partner providing pre-screened, credit-earning students from universities nationwide.
Position TWC as a trusted workforce advisor providing tools and insights for managing Gen Z talent effectively.
Address employer concerns regarding student communication and professionalism by proactively supporting TWC's process for managing student/internship cases.
Secure stipend commitments for student placements through consultative engagement.
Conduct regular site visits and check-ins (virtual, hybrid, in-person) to provide ongoing partnership support and gather workforce insights.
Support the organization of in-person employer engagement events showcasing TWC's value beyond internship matching partnership.
Build relationships across diverse industries including political science, advocacy, business, international affairs, law, media and technology sectors.

Portfolio Analysis & Planning

Analyze portfolio composition monthly to identify gaps in industry coverage or internship types.
Track account performance metrics and flag at-risk partnerships for proactive intervention.
Provide data-driven recommendations to Assistant Director for portfolio optimization.
Monitor seasonal trends and forecast supply/demand imbalances for summer surge (2x demand).
Maintain portfolio segmentation based on strategic value, stipend levels, and alignment with student needs.
Generate portfolio reports showing acquisition, retention and matching metrics.

Data Management

Track acquisition and retention metrics against individual and team goals.
Monitor portfolio health indicators, including engagement levels, successful placement rates and stipend commitments.
Analyze partner feedback to identify retention risks and expansion opportunities.
Maintain accurate pipeline data to support demand forecasting and resource planning.
Closely collaborate with Program Advisors on student applications, interviews, offers and placement.
Support Program Advisors with strategic referrals that increase placement pace.
Monitor the status of applications, interviews, offers and placements of your portfolio to ensure stakeholder satisfaction and meet weekly and seasonal placement goals.
Accurately track and manage employer and student account data in TWC's CRM (Salesforce) and internship tracking system (Simplicity).
Ensure diligent logging and tracking of internship partners' progression in the intern selection process.

Academic Program Alignment

Ensure all employer partnerships meet academic standards for credit-bearing experiences.
Collaborate with Educational Partnerships and Programs to align opportunities with student needs and curriculum requirements.
Guide and support employers in creating educationally enriching internship structures.

Required Education and Experience

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered:

3+ years of progressive experience in B2B partnership development, account management, relationship management, or sales, preferably in nonprofit, higher education, workforce development or HR/talent sectors.
Demonstrated track record of meeting or exceeding retention targets.
Experience managing a portfolio of 30+ accounts or relationships.
Experience with CRM systems and data management required.

Preferred Education/Qualifications and Experience

Experience serving as a trusted advisor helping organizations navigate workforce or talent challenges.
Background in education partnerships, corporate sponsorships or nonprofit development.
Experience with Salesforce and/or internship management platforms such as Simplicity.
Experience with data management.
Knowledge of the Washington, D.C. employer landscape.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Proficiency in Salesforce CRM and Microsoft Office Suite
Understanding of internship compliance requirements and J-1 visa processes
Strong analytical skills to interpret data and identify trends
Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to influence decision-makers
Cultural competency to navigate diverse organizational environments (federal agencies, NGOs, corporations)
Sound judgment when handling confidential information
Self-motivated with ability to work independently

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Competencies Required to Perform the Job Successfully

Communication/Interpersonal Skills
Teamwork/Collaboration
Initiative
Customer Satisfaction

The Washington Center’s Values

Values which guide our mission work in every regard – internally and externally:

Equity & Inclusion
Learning
Connection & Collaboration
Integrity
Impact

Equipment Used to Perform the Job

May be representative but not all inclusive of those commonly associated with this position:

Standard office equipment including a facsimile machine, photocopier and telephone system
Personal Computer, job-related software and printer

Physical Abilities

Commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform described essential functions of this job. These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision to work on a computer.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use repetitive wrist, hand, and/or finger movement, reach with hands and arms and talk or hear.
The employee may be required to stand and walk.

Application Instructions

To apply to this position, please do so via our online application form.

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This job description no way states or implies that these are the only duties performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as requested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws.

Certain job functions described herein may be subjected to possible modification in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.

The Washington Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of The Washington Center to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Provisions in applicable laws providing for bona fide occupational qualifications, business necessity or age limitations will be adhered to by the organization where appropriate.