YMCA of Cape Breton

Full-Time Permanent

Weekdays

Description

Title: Employer Engagement Specialist

Reports to: Operations Manager

Position Status: Permanent, Full-time

Salary range: $51,853.23 to $58,377.15 annually

Start Date:  As soon as possible

Office Locations: Welton St. (primary location) and Frank Rudderham Family YMCA 

 Do you love building relationships and making connections that matter?

The YMCA of Cape Breton is hiring an Employer Engagement Specialist to work with local employers, support recruitment and retention needs, and help connect job seekers with meaningful opportunities. If you’re a strong communicator, community-minded, and passionate about helping people and businesses succeed, this could be a great fit. Help local businesses meet their next great hire! If networking is your superpower, we should talk!

 Position Summary

 The Employer Engagement Specialist is responsible for developing and maintaining proactive relationships with employers across the region to support recruitment, retention, workforce planning, and inclusive workplace practices. This role provides frontline employer services through Nova Scotia Works, helping employers assess their workforce needs, access appropriate programs and resources, develop quality job postings, connect with job seekers, and navigate supports available through Government, industry, community, and business partners.

 The Employer Engagement Specialist acts as a liaison between employers, Nova Scotia Works Centre staff, Government, Workplace Initiatives, sector partners, and community stakeholders. The role supports intentional job matching, employer account management, regional employer engagement, and the collection and sharing of labour market intelligence to inform service delivery, planning, and continuous improvement.

 Duties and Responsibilities

In support of our mandate, team and clients, the Employer Engagement Specialist will:

• Build, maintain, and proactively manage employer relationships through intake, needs assessment, account management, timely follow-up, and ongoing service coordination.
• Provide day-to-day assistance to employers related to recruitment, retention, onboarding, HR planning, and workforce needs.
• Support employers to develop quality, competency-based job postings and promote opportunities through Nova Scotia Works channels, internal job boards, social media, and other approved approaches.
• Liaise with Career Practitioners, Job Developers, and other Nova Scotia Works staff to support intentional job matching between employers and job seekers, including case-managed clients.
• Use tools such as Magnetic Factors, where applicable, to support candidate fit, workplace alignment, and retention-focused job matching.
• Promote and facilitate employer access to Government, industry, community, and business supports, including Workplace Initiatives, Employment Nova Scotia programs, sector councils, chambers of commerce, and other relevant referral partners.
• Assist employers to identify broader workforce needs and connect them to resources that support recruitment strategy, retention practices, onboarding, welcoming workplaces, and inclusive HR practices.
• Coordinate and support employer engagement activities, including hiring events, job fairs, employer information sessions, regional committees, and employer-focused networks.
• Work proactively with employers, community organizations, business associations, sector partners, and industry representatives to strengthen regional employer relationships and coordinated responses to labour market needs.
• Collect, document, and maintain employer information using required systems and business processes to support employer case management, service planning, reporting, and labour market research.
• Gather and share labour market intelligence, employer feedback, recruitment trends, workforce challenges, and emerging opportunities with the Nova Scotia Works team and leadership to inform planning and continuous improvement.
• Promote diversity hiring, inclusive workplace practices, accessibility, and welcoming workplaces by connecting employers to relevant tools, resources, and equity-deserving communities.
• Promote Nova Scotia Works services, the Nova Scotia Works digital channel, and Employment Nova Scotia-funded employment programs in accordance with funder requirements and branding guidelines.
• Participate in Nova Scotia Works System discussions, working groups, team meetings, and service improvement initiatives that support service quality, innovation, and positive outcomes for employers and job seekers.
• Maintain confidentiality, apply ethical decision making, and demonstrate inclusionary practice, respect for diversity, and sound judgment in all service delivery activities.
• Use information and communication technology effectively, including digital tools, virtual service delivery platforms, and required reporting systems.
• Remain current on labour market information, employer supports, government programs, community resources, and referral pathways relevant to employer and workforce needs.
• Demonstrate professional attributes, strong follow-through, and a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
• Cross-train and assume related duties as required to support service delivery, employer engagement, and organizational priorities.

 Qualifications

•   Post-secondary education in Human Resources, business, community development, career development, social sciences, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience.
• Two to five years of experience providing employer support, business services, HR support, recruitment assistance, workforce development, or related community-based employment services.
• Completion of, or willingness to complete, required Nova Scotia Career Development Association training for Employer Support Practitioner roles, including Human Resource Fundamentals, Business Basics, and Client Relationship Management training.
• Strong understanding of employer services, recruitment and retention practices, HR planning, workforce planning, and referral pathways to Government, industry, community, and business supports.
• Demonstrated ability to build, maintain, and proactively manage employer relationships, including timely follow-up, account management, and needs-based service coordination.
• Experience identifying employer needs and aligning services, programs, tools, and referrals to support recruitment, onboarding, retention, workplace inclusion, and workforce planning.
• Knowledge of Nova Scotia Works services, the Nova Scotia Works digital channel, Employment Nova Scotia programs, Workplace Initiatives, sector councils, business associations, and community referral resources is considered an asset.
• Solid understanding of labour market information, employer trends, workforce challenges, occupational demand, employment opportunities, and local/regional labour market conditions.
• Ability to collect, document, interpret, and share employer information and labour market intelligence to support service planning and continuous improvement.
• Adept in marketing, promotion, public relations, facilitation, outreach, and representing services professionally to employers and community partners.
• Strong computer literacy and ability to effectively use information and communication technology, digital tools, virtual service delivery platforms, and required reporting systems.
• Demonstrated commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility, including inclusionary practice, ethical decision making, confidentiality, respect for diversity, and supporting welcoming workplaces.
• Strong communication, presentation, relationship-building, problem-solving, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, work independently, and respond effectively to changing employer and service delivery needs.
• Demonstrated discretion and sound judgment in handling confidential employer, client, and organizational information.
• Commitment to professional development, continuous learning, and career self-management.
• Schedule flexibility to accommodate employer meetings, hiring events, outreach activities, and occasional service needs outside regular business hours.

 We offer:

•  Comprehensive Benefit and Pension Plan
• Strong Work Life Balance Programs – Paid time off (15 days paid vacation, 11 wellness days per year, paid holidays, flex time)
• YMCA Employee or Family membership
• Discounted Childcare and Program Rates
• We are an AIP (Atlantic Immigration Program) designated employer.

Location Information

Community

Sydney

County

Cape Breton Regional Municipality

Province

Nova Scotia

Country

Canada

Opportunity Information

Employer

YMCA of Cape Breton

NOC Code

—

Experience Required

Yes

Available Openings

1

Pay Type

To be Determined

Pay Period

To be Determined

Remuneration Per Pay Period

Estimated Weekly Hours

37.50

Start Date

—

End Date

—

Language

English

Language Proficiency Level

Posted on

July 3rd 2026

Expires

July 17th 2026