Senior Job Developer

As a Senior Job Developer, you cultivate relationships with employers to create job opportunities for specific populations — people with disabilities, veterans, individuals re-entering the workforce, or participants in workforce development programs. You don't just find existing openings; you convince employers to create positions or modify existing ones to accommodate your clients' needs and abilities.

Your day is relationship-driven. You might visit a local business to pitch a supported employment program, then coach a job seeker on interview skills, then negotiate workplace accommodations with an HR department, then track placement outcomes for grant reporting. You need sales skills, empathy, labor market knowledge, and the persistence to keep building employer relationships even when placements fall through.

The toughest part is managing two sets of expectations. Employers want reliable, productive workers. Job seekers want meaningful employment that fits their abilities. When a placement doesn't work out, both sides are disappointed and you're the one who needs to rebuild trust. Success requires honest matching — overselling a candidate's readiness creates problems; underestimating their potential limits their opportunities.