Workforce Development Manager

Position Overview:

The Workforce Development Manager is responsible for building and sustaining a long-term pipeline of skilled talent to support the company's continued growth. In this role, you will focus on workforce development, external partnerships, and early-career engagement rather than transactional recruiting. You will ensure HM Cragg has a future-ready skilled-labor workforce by creating structured pathways from trade schools, technical programs, military institutions, and community organizations that are relevant to the business.

The Workforce Development Manager will work closely with the internal and external recruiting team.

Reporting Relationship: The Workforce Development Manager will report to the CEO until program development is defined and implemented.

Responsibilities/Accountabilities:

• Build, manage, and maintain partnerships with:
  • Trade, community and technical schools
  • Military transition programs and veteran organizations
  • Workforce development boards and community organizations
  • Trade Associations
• Develop and implement internship, apprenticeship, and early-career pathways.
• Create structured entry points for talent at varying experience levels.
• Establish sustainable, repeatable talent pipelines aligned with company growth plans.

• Promote HM Cragg's employment brand with an emphasis on skilled trades, including:
  • Career progression and advancement opportunities
  • Training, certification, and skill development programs
  • Safety culture, team environment, and field leadership
• Partner with Marketing to ensure consistent messaging across:
  • School outreach and workforce programs
  • Job fairs, career events, and community engagement
  • Social media, digital content, and recruiting materials
• Serve as the primary representative to external workforce partners while including appropriate HM Cragg leadership and technical resources.
• Support ESOP and Engagement Team activities to promote HM Cragg's brand

• Develop and manage referral programs and alumni networks.
• Track and analyze pipeline health, source effectiveness, and long-term conversion rates.
• Provide insights and recommendations to improve hiring strategies.

• Collaborate with operations and training leaders to align onboarding expectations.
• Support early-career employee success by ensuring:
  • Clear understanding of career pathways
  • Access to mentorship and training resources
  • Connection to advancement and certification opportunities
• Gather feedback from employees to continuously refine workforce development strategies and messaging.

• Strong knowledge of workforce development and early-career talent programs.
• Experience building partnerships with educational institutions, military programs, or workforce organizations.
• Understanding of skilled trades environments and training models.
• Strong communication, employment branding, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to analyze pipeline data and measure long-term workforce outcomes.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across recruiting, operations, training, and marketing teams.

• Demonstrates honesty and integrity in work and relationships.
• Visibly passionate about developing people and building long-term talent systems.
• Highly organized, proactive, and comfortable operating independently.
• Strong relationship builder with internal and external stakeholders.
• Focused on collaboration, continuous improvement, and long-term company success.
• Willing to learn HM Cragg's products and services enough to become a company ambassador

• Experience in workforce development, early-career recruiting, or skilled trades talent programs.
• Background working with trade schools, technical colleges, military transition programs, or similar institutions.
• Ability to work on-site in Minnesota.
• Ability to maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must pass background check and pre-employment screening as required.

Travel expectations:

Up to 30% travel, primarily to schools, workforce partners, job fairs, and community events. Travel could be seasonal and cyclical.