Associate II, Workforce Pathways | Road to Hire

Position Overview

Road to Hire is entering a critical phase in its evolution as we scale to support 200+ college graduates annually in securing high-quality, career-launching roles. The Associate I, Workforce Pathways, will serve as both a strategic driver and hands-on executor of student placement outcomes.

This role is responsible for ensuring that Road to Hire college talent successfully transitions into high-wage careers through internships and full-time employment. Acting as a “talent agent” for a portfolio of students, this individual will actively source opportunities, build strong employer relationships, and drive students through the full placement lifecycle from preparation to application to offer acceptance. This is a high-accountability, high-impact role with a clear focus on measurable outcomes: internships secured, full-time placements, and long-term career trajectory.

Reporting Structure: VP, Advancement (leader of the Workforce, Innovation, and Network team)

Location requirements: Must live in the greater Charlotte region; R2H follows a hybrid work model with in-office requirements Tuesday-Thursday and in-person meetings as required, and some evenings for organizational or stakeholder events.

Why This Role Matters

This role is central to Road to Hire’s mission. You will directly shape whether students successfully translate their education into meaningful, high-paying careers.

Your work will not only impact individual lives but also strengthen employer partnerships and regional talent pipelines, ensuring that opportunity is accessible, attainable, and sustainable for the students we serve.

Key Responsibilities

Talent Placement Ecosystem 

This individual is responsible for activating and orchestrating a strong placement ecosystem around Road to Hire talent. Rather than owning primary employer relationship development, this role focuses on ensuring students are strategically positioned, matched, and advanced through opportunities generated through Corporate Relations and broader networks. Success requires deep understanding of both student readiness and employer expectations, and the ability to move talent efficiently through the hiring process.

• Own placement outcomes for a portfolio of college students and graduating seniors, with a focus on high-wage, career-aligned roles
• Activate and leverage employer opportunities sourced through Corporate Relations, ensuring strong alignment between role requirements and student readiness
• Serve as a talent agent for students, proactively matching candidates to opportunities and advocating on their behalf with hiring partners
• Identify gaps in role availability or alignment and provide feedback to Corporate Relations to inform employer engagement strategy
• Ensure a consistent and high-quality pipeline of opportunities for students by maximizing conversion across existing employer partnerships and channels

Student Readiness & Placement Execution

This role ensures that students are not only applying to roles, but are fully prepared to compete for and secure them. The Associate II will take an active, hands-on approach to coaching, ensuring students are equipped with the tools, confidence, and strategy needed to succeed in competitive hiring processes. This includes driving urgency, accountability, and follow-through at every stage.

• Actively coach and guide students through the job and internship search process, including resume development, interview preparation, and application strategy
• Ensure students are fully prepared for competitive hiring processes and employer expectations
• Monitor application pipelines and drive follow-through, ensuring no missed opportunities
• Support students through offer negotiation, decision-making, and onboarding readiness

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Placement success requires tight alignment across internal teams. This individual will play a key role in ensuring that employer engagement, student readiness, and program strategy are fully integrated. They will serve as a bridge between teams, bringing market insights back into the organization to continuously improve outcomes.

• Partner closely with Corporate Relations to align on employer engagement strategy and job pipelines
• Collaborate with Student Success and program teams to ensure alignment between student readiness and market opportunities
• Provide insights to internal teams on hiring trends, employer expectations, and skill gaps

Data, Tracking & Outcomes Management

This role is deeply outcomes-driven and requires disciplined tracking of progress and results. The Associate II will use data not only to report on outcomes, but to actively manage pipelines, identify gaps, and adjust strategy in real time to ensure placement goals are met.

• Track and manage key placement metrics including applications, interviews, offers, internships secured, and full-time placements
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in CRM or workforce systems
• Use data to drive strategy, identify gaps, and continuously improve placement outcomes

What You’re Accountable For

• Achieving defined internship and full-time placement targets across your student portfolio
• Ensuring a strong, consistent pipeline of high-quality job opportunities that are proactive and not reactive
• Driving high levels of student engagement, preparedness, and follow-through
• Building and maintaining employer relationships that lead to repeat hiring and long-term partnerships where employers view Road to Hire as a trusted, go-to source for early talent
• Students are competitive, confident, and well-prepared for hiring processes
• Contributing directly to Road to Hire’s mission by translating education into economic mobility outcomes

Qualifications

Required Experience

• 4–7+ years of experience in recruiting, talent placement, workforce development, career services, or a related field
• Demonstrated track record of successfully placing early-career talent into internships and/or full-time roles
• Proven experience building and maintaining strong relationships with recruiters, hiring managers, or employer partners
• Experience managing multiple candidates or stakeholders in a fast-paced, outcomes-driven environment
• Bachelor’s degree required

Preferred Experience

• Experience working with college or early-career talent populations
• Background in workforce development, nonprofit, or higher education settings
• Experience using CRM or recruiting platforms (Salesforce, Handshake, ATS systems, etc.)
• Familiarity with high-growth or high-demand career pathways (e.g., tech, business, finance, operations)

Key Skills

• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills with both students and employers
• High level of ownership and accountability for outcomes
• Ability to operate with urgency and a bias toward action
• Excellent coaching and communication skills
• Strategic thinking paired with strong execution ability
• Data tracking, pipeline management, and attention to detail
• Deep commitment to expanding access to economic mobility and opportunity

Compensation

• Compensation Range: $62,000 - $67,500
  *Note actual compensation is based on qualifications, and experience. 

Additionally, the following benefits are provided by Red Ventures, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Health Insurance Coverage (medical, dental, and vision)
• Life Insurance
• Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Pay
• 401(k) with match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Parental Bonding Benefit Program

About Road to Hire:

Road to Hire invests in the untapped potential of underrepresented young adults by breaking down barriers to career success. We provide continuous support from high school classrooms, through college into high-paying careers, and equip young professionals with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to unlock economic mobility and lasting career growth. Road to Hire is headquartered alongside Red Ventures corporation, its founding corporate partner. R2H is considered RV Corporate's social impact vertical while maintaining its status as a standalone 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Red Ventures is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or any other basis protected by law. Employment at Red Ventures is based solely on a person's merit and qualifications. 

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. This includes providing reasonable accommodation where appropriate. Should you require a reasonable accommodation to apply or participate in the job application or interview process, please contact accommodation@redventures.com. 

If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents linked here.