CharityVillage

About The Career Foundation:
The Career Foundation is a dynamic non-profit organization that offers a wide range of employment, training, and HR services to job seekers and employers. Since its inception in 1988, The Career Foundation has steadily expanded its services. Operating out of multiple locations, we now help thousands of people each year successfully accomplish their employment goals. Our team of dedicated professionals has described The Career Foundation as caring, compassionate, innovative, and team-oriented. For more information about us and our services, please visit our website at CareerFoundation.com.

Some of the benefits and features available to our employees include: 

• Competitive compensation
• A comprehensive health benefits plan, including massage therapy, naturopathic services, travel coverage, and more
• A comprehensive dental insurance plan
• An RRSP Matching benefit
• An Employee & Family Assistance program
• An Employee Wellness program
• Paid days off for religious observance purposes
• Paid days off for personal wellness purposes

Program and Role Description:
This opportunity is available with The Career Foundation’s Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG) program. The COJG program provides financial assistance to employers across Ontario to help cover the cost of training their new or existing employees. Designed to support short-term, skills-focused training, the COJG program enables businesses to invest in their workforce, enhance employee capabilities, and create opportunities for career growth and advancement.

The Business Development Specialist is a key member of our Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG) program team, responsible for building and maintaining strong employer relationships to promote and facilitate participation in the program. This role includes identifying employer training needs, securing and administering COJG agreements, and ensuring accurate documentation and compliance with program guidelines. The Business Development Specialist also supports employer engagement initiatives, monitors training progress, reconciles claims, and contributes to team mentorship and program development, while meeting individual performance targets and maintaining high standards of service and record-keeping.

Position Type:

• Full-time (37.5 hours per week) one-year contract with excellent potential for permanency

Base Location and Travel Requirements:

• This opportunity is based at The Career Foundation’s York office, located at Weston Rd. and Lawrence Ave. W., and requires frequent local travel within the GTHA to visit employer locations and other stakeholder sites to fulfil the core deliverables of the position. The role currently permits a hybrid-remote work schedule that allows for periodic work-from-home days, based on the daily scope of work, program operational needs, and individual performance.
• The successful candidate must be willing to work on-site from the office on a regular schedule and possess a valid Ontario G driver’s licence and a reliable vehicle to meet the core deliverables of the position that require frequent local travel across various areas in the GTHA.

Background Check Requirement:

• An offer of employment for this opportunity will be contingent on the incumbent providing an acceptable Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC).

Reporting to:

• Program Coordinator

Responsibilities include:
Business Development, Employer Outreach, and Needs Assessments

• Proactively researches, identifies, and initiates contact with new potential employer partners eligible for the COJG program through cold calls, networking events, and other outreach strategies.
• Prepares and delivers compelling presentations to prospective employer partners.
• Builds and maintains effective professional relationships with employers and promotes ongoing programming through The Career Foundation.
• Supports employers in identifying training needs to secure COJG applications for their new hires and existing employees.
• Collaborates with internal teams to align employer outreach efforts with organizational goals and service offerings.
• Serves as a resource for employers, advising on workforce best practices.
• Actively attends employer engagement events, job fairs, and other events hosted by The Career Foundation.
• Develops and executes outreach strategies to expand the employer network and increase program participation.
• Conducts market research to identify industry trends, employer needs, and potential partnership opportunities.
• Tracks and analyzes outreach performance metrics to refine business development strategies and presents recommendations to the Program Coordinator to improve engagement outcomes.
• Utilizes approved technologies and digital tools provided by The Career Foundation to enhance service delivery and employer engagement whenever practicable.
• Performs other relevant duties as assigned.

Contract Negotiation, Quality Monitoring, and Program Administration

• Meets individual monthly targets that contribute to the achievement of the program’s collective targets and contractual obligations with the funder.
• Negotiates and administers COJG placement agreements and employer incentives (e.g., wage subsidies, on-the-job training).
• Travels to employer sites to conduct onsite quality assurance monitoring in accordance with training schedules.
• Supports the Program Coordinator and collaborates with the COJG program team to ensure program compliance and audit readiness.
• Supports the Program Coordinator with mentoring and onboarding of new team members, as needed.
• Performs other relevant duties as assigned.

Financial Claims Administration, Data Management, and Reporting

• Prepares and submits claims with complete documentation to The Career Foundation’s Finance Department, seeking pre-approval from the Program Coordinator when required.
• Reconciles claims with budget allocations to ensure accuracy.
• Follows up with employers to obtain proof of payment or pay stubs in a timely manner.
• Prepares accurate documentation of employer contacts, applications, job leads, and other job development activities.
• Submits weekly reports on activities and results to the Program Coordinator.
• Enters employer and participant information, follow-up notes, and claims into internal databases and tracking systems.
• Assists with file maintenance and closure, including data verification and accuracy.
• Maintains a high standard of documentation accuracy in alignment with the program funder’s guidelines and internal audit protocols.
• Performs other relevant duties as assigned.

Qualifications/ Skills Required:

• A post-secondary degree or diploma in Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field relevant to the scope of the position is highly preferred, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience is required.
• A minimum of 2 years of direct experience in business development, job development, recruitment, or other experience that is directly transferrable to the responsibilities of the position is required.
• Demonstrated track record in a results-driven environment with solid experience meeting performance targets
• Established connections to local business communities and professional networks and/or previous experience with community outreach, employer engagement, or familiarity with Employment Ontario programming is considered a strong asset.
• Must possess a valid Ontario G driver’s licence and have access to a reliable vehicle to conduct essential work-related travel within the communities served.
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills; bilingualism in another language is considered an asset.
• Outstanding administrative skills, with strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Exceptional attention to detail and strong mathematical skills, with the ability to identify, track, and resolve errors efficiently.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), as well as Zoom and Outlook 365 applications, including Teams and SharePoint.
• Must possess the aptitude and willingness to learn and work with new online systems and technologies, including CRM systems and digital tools for performance tracking and employer engagement.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to demonstrate tact, diplomacy, and exceptional customer service.
• Exceptional rapport-building and relationship development skills with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and across all levels of an organization.
• A professional and courteous approach to client service, with a high level of respect for the diversity of the people served.
• Flexible team player with a positive attitude and a willingness to take initiative to support team success and shared objectives.