Job Description

Role Overview

We are hiring an Employer Partnership Manager to build and manage relationships with employers across Lebanon and relevant regional markets. The role leads employer engagement from initial outreach and needs assessment through partnership development, ongoing account management, and talent placement opportunities.

As a key point of contact for HR representatives, founders, and business leaders, you will learn about employers’ workforce needs and connect them with Forward MENA’s programs and talent placement services. You will work closely with internal Programs and Career Services teams to create opportunities for participants, strengthen employer partnerships, and bring market insights into the design of training programs.

This role suits someone with experience in business management, business development, or partnerships in education, skills development, or a related sector or someone with a background in HR, recruitment, or talent placement services. The successful candidate will be comfortable building relationships, communicating with decision-makers, and following through on shared goals.

Key Responsibilities

1. Employer Outreach and Partnership Development

• Identify and map target employers in Lebanon, with a focus on technology, digital, and other sectors hiring for relevant skills.
• Build and maintain a prioritized pipeline of prospective employer partners.
• Engage founders, CEOs, HR and talent leads, and business unit heads through direct outreach, referrals, professional networks, and events.
• Introduce Forward MENA and nammiskills to employers, explaining the value of its partnership and talent placement services.
• Hold discovery meetings to understand employers’ hiring plans, skills needs, and potential areas for collaboration.
• Develop and formalize partnerships through MoUs or partnership agreements, and onboard new partners to the platform.

2. Partnership and Account Management

• Manage a portfolio of employer relationships and serve as each partner’s main point of contact within Forward MENA.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with HR representatives, founders, and business leaders in Lebanon and abroad.
• Develop partnerships over time, encouraging repeat job and internship postings, participation in employer events, and co-designed training.
• Hold regular partner check-ins and account reviews to understand changing needs and identify opportunities to deepen collaboration.
• Follow up after placements to support partner satisfaction, retention, referrals, and future opportunities.

3. Employer Needs and Talent Placement Coordination

• Collect and document employers’ hiring needs, including roles, required skills, candidate profiles, timelines, and hiring volumes.
• Translate employer requirements into clear and timely job and internship postings on the platform.
• Coordinate with the Programs and Career Services teams to identify and share suitable candidates from the Forward MENA talent pool.
• Support the hiring process by following up with employers and candidates and addressing questions or issues.
• Track placement outcomes and use feedback to improve the partnership and placement process.

4. Market Intelligence and Program Alignment

• Stay informed about hiring trends, in-demand roles, and skills needs in the Lebanese and regional job markets.
• Share employer feedback with internal teams to inform training priorities, curriculum development, and participant sourcing.
• Identify where the talent pool meets employer expectations and where additional preparation may be needed.
• Contribute to periodic job market trends reports using employer conversations, candidate outcomes, and job posting data.

5. Partner Experience and Satisfaction

• Monitor the quality and relevance of candidate referrals and the overall employer experience.
• Gather employer feedback through surveys and follow-up conversations.
• Share feedback and recommendations with the team to improve partnership services and placement processes.
• Respond to partner concerns promptly and help resolve issues.

6. Events and Representation

• Represent Forward MENA at career fairs, industry events, and business networking opportunities.
• Present Forward MENA’s work and services to employers, students, and job seekers.
• Co-organize employer-facing events, including employer information sessions and recruitment days, with the Programs team.

7. Reporting, CRM, and Data Management

• Keep the CRM complete and up to date, tracking the partnership journey from first contact through agreement, opportunity posting, and placement.
• Maintain accurate data on employer partnerships, job opportunities, and placement outcomes for internal and donor reporting.
• Ensure candidate data is shared with consent and handled in line with applicable data protection requirements.
• Agree on targets with your manager, such as new partners, active employers, opportunities posted, placements, and partner satisfaction, and review progress regularly.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience in Business Management, Education, Human Resources, Workforce Development, or a related field.
• Relevant experience in one or both of the following areas:
• Business management or partnership management in education, workforce development, EdTech, career services, youth employability, or a similar sector.
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with employers, clients, HR teams, founders, or other decision-makers.
• Experience in account management, partnership development, business development, or another client-facing role.
• Ability to understand employer needs and translate them into practical opportunities, services, or partnerships.
• Familiarity with the technology and digital job market is an asset.
• Experience with career fairs, employer events, education programs, or youth employability initiatives is an asset.
• Comfortable conducting outreach and communicating with senior decision-makers.
• Experience using CRM tools or structured tracking systems, and proficiency in Google Sheets or Excel.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills in Arabic and English. French is an asset.

Skills and Competencies

• Employer partnership development and relationship management
• Business development and consultative communication
• Negotiation and agreement development
• Account management and reliable follow-through
• Understanding of education, workforce, and talent placement services
• Awareness of employer needs and labor market trends
• Coordination across teams and stakeholders
• Feedback-driven improvement
• Organization and attention to data accuracy

Company Profile