Overview
Workforce Engagement Specialist Jobs in Columbus at Columbus Fashion Alliance
About Columbus Fashion Alliance
Columbus Fashion Alliance (CFA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating positive impact for people and the planet through fashion. CFA works to strengthen the fashion economy through workforce development, advanced manufacturing, entrepreneurship, retail, and industry partnerships.
CFA is launching THE LOOM, a 43,000+ square-foot Fashion Innovation Center in downtown Columbus — serving as the epicenter for the next generation of fashion talent and circular production in the Midwest.
Our Core Values
These are the values that guide every decision at CFA—and what we look for in the people who join us.
Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate these values through the hiring process, and performance in this role will be evaluated against them as part of ongoing performance reviews.
Innovation — We challenge convention to build what fashion needs next.
Creativity — We turn bold ideas into original, expressive work.
Equity & Access — We open doors to opportunity for every community we serve.
Learning — We grow on purpose, and we help others grow too.
Community — We build belonging through connection and collaboration.
Impact — We measure success by the lasting change we create.
Position Overview
The Workforce Engagement Specialist is a key member of CFA’s Workforce Development Division (WDD), serving as the critical bridge between job seekers and the fashion industry employers who hire them. This role delivers direct career services to program participants while building and sustaining the employer relationships across the fashion ecosystem that create living-wage job opportunities.
The ideal candidate is a skilled connector with a genuine passion for the fashion industry — equally comfortable coaching a job seeker through a resume and sitting across the table from an HR Director at a fashion brand, manufacturer, or retailer to negotiate a hiring partnership. This person brings a strong commitment to equity, a talent for relationship-building, and the organizational discipline to manage data and compliance with care.
We are especially interested in candidates who bring real-world knowledge of the fashion industry — through direct experience, professional networks, or sustained engagement with fashion brands, retailers, or manufacturers — and who can translate that knowledge into stronger program design and employer engagement for CFA’s participants. Candidates whose closest experience is in adjacent disciplines such as HR, talent acquisition, training, or professional development are also encouraged to apply if they bring genuine industry knowledge or networks.
What Makes Someone Exceptional in This Role
Beyond the qualifications below, three things distinguish a great fit for this role.
Connector — Genuinely energized by getting out and engaging new employers and partners to uncover opportunity. You go find where the openings are, not just wait for them to come to you.
Listener/Translator — Able to absorb what employers need and communicate it back to CFA’s programming team, so curriculum evolves to meet real employer demand rather than assumptions about it.
Communicator/Matchmaker — Able to relay what employers need to participants, help develop them toward those needs, and connect them to the right roles—generalizing what you learn from employers into how CFA approaches workforce development overall, not just one-on-one matches.
Key Responsibilities
Job-Readiness & Career Services · ~35% of Role
- Deliver individualized job-readiness services including resume development, interview preparation, and professional skills coaching tailored to fashion industry hiring practices
- Support participants through the full placement process — from job matching through offer acceptance
- Provide retention and follow-up services for placed participants for up to one year post-exit
- Identify and help address participant barriers to employment in partnership with the broader WDD team
Employer Partnerships & Talent Pipeline · ~40% of Role
- Cultivate, develop, and maintain a portfolio of employer partnerships across the fashion ecosystem — including fashion brands, designers, manufacturers, retailers, and supply chain operators — that lead to living-wage job placements for CFA graduates
- Engage employers as active partners in both talent pipeline development and program development, bringing a real-world industry perspective to service design
- Coordinate and execute hiring events, job fairs, and direct placement opportunities
- Connect with and participate in fashion industry associations, employer networks, and workforce ecosystems across Central Ohio and the broader Midwest
- Serve as CFA’s ongoing relationship manager with fashion industry employer partners
Data Management & Compliance · ~15% of Role
- Accurately enter, organize, and maintain participant data and case files in alignment with grant requirements and organizational standards
- Generate and submit reports on placement outcomes, retention milestones, and employer engagement activity
- Ensure all documentation meets administrative and compliance standards to support successful grant outcomes
Team Collaboration & Continuous Improvement · ~10% of Role
- Actively contribute to WDD team assessment, planning, and improvement of the service delivery model
- Participate in staff meetings, case conferencing, and strategic planning sessions
- Support management with data-informed recommendations for program refinement
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent professional experience
- 2+ years of relevant professional experience — this may include workforce development, career coaching, employer relations, HR or talent acquisition, training and professional development, OR fashion industry roles involving hiring, mentoring, talent development, or team leadership
- Knowledge of, experience in, or strong professional networks within the fashion, retail, apparel, or manufacturing industries
- Demonstrated ability to build and sustain professional relationships — with employers, candidates, mentees, clients, or industry partners
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Proficiency in data entry and case management systems; comfort with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace
Preferred
- Direct work experience within the fashion, retail, apparel, or supply chain industries
- Background in workforce development, career services, or grant-funded program delivery
- Familiarity with WIOA, grant-funded programs, or workforce compliance requirements
- Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply
What Success Looks Like (First 12 Months)
- Consistent delivery of job-readiness services to active program participants
- A growing portfolio of active fashion industry employer partnerships leading to direct placements
- Becoming a trusted CFA voice within Central Ohio’s fashion industry ecosystem
- Timely and accurate data entry and compliance documentation
- Measurable placement and retention outcomes aligned with grant benchmarks
- Strong integration within the WDD team and service delivery model
How to Apply
We’d love to hear from you.
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter outlining relevant experience to: [email protected]
Columbus Fashion Alliance is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Pay: $55,000.00 – $65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
Title: Workforce Engagement Specialist
Company: Columbus Fashion Alliance
Location: Columbus
