TEMP - Planner - Hire Gulf Coast Youth Program

Business Developer

The Houston-Galveston Area Council is one of the largest regional planning commissions in the country with a diverse service area of 13 counties and more than 7 million people. We are the pulse of our region addressing issues that cross city limits and county lines every single day.

We make decisions that affect our transportation system, ensure the safety and well-being of our seniors, connect people to jobs, help families recover from natural disasters, preserve water quality for our children, and so much more. We work to make the region a great place to live, work, and thrive.

Build the Future Workforce. Close the Deal. Drive the Outcome.

Hire Gulf Coast Youth (HGCY) is looking for a high-performing business developer who knows how to turn conversations into commitments—and commitments into results. This is not a traditional workforce role. This is a front-end sales + strategy + performance accountability position responsible for connecting employers to talent and ensuring those opportunities lead to real hires.

If you are someone who:

• Thrives on closing deals
• Can confidently engage CEOs, HR leaders, and hiring managers
• Thinks in pipelines, metrics, and outcomes
• And refuses to accept "activity" without results

...this role is built for you.

What will I be doing?

• Close Employer Deals
• Build and manage a pipeline of employers across high-demand industries
• Lead conversations with executives, HR, and hiring managers
• Secure commitments for:
• Summer jobs (unsubsidized)
• Paid work experiences and internships
• Position HGCY as a strategic workforce solution, not a program
• Design Opportunities That Work
• Translate employer needs into structured, actionable opportunities:
• Clear job roles and expectations
• Wage alignment and scheduling
• Tiered work-based learning strategies
• Ensure opportunities are realistic, scalable, and designed to lead to hires—not just placements
• Drive Results Through Others
• Partner with service providers who execute recruitment and placements
• Lead a structured handoff and fill strategy for every employer commitment
• Track performance across the pipeline:
• Positions → Referrals → Placements → Hires
• Step in when things break and drive solutions to get back on track
• Own the Pipeline
• Maintain real-time visibility into:
• Employer commitments
• Open positions
• Fill rates and hires
• Identify risks early and act
• Report weekly on outcomes not just activity

What Success Looks Like

• Employers don't just sign up, they hire
• Positions don't sit open, they get filled
• Providers don't operate in silos, they execute a clear strategy
• You consistently move the system from opportunity → placement → employment

Key Qualifications

• Sales & Business Development
• Proven ability to close deals and secure commitments
• Strong consultative selling and relationship-building skills
• Comfortable engaging decision-makers at all levels
• Strategic & Analytical Thinking
• Ability to design solutions that align business needs with talent pipelines
• Strong understanding of how to move opportunities through a funnel
• Execution & Accountability
• Highly organized with strong follow-up discipline
• Focused on outcomes, not just effort
• Able to manage multiple stakeholders and priorities
• Influence & Communication
• Confident communicator with strong storytelling ability
• Able to align and motivate partners without direct authority

Why This Role Matters

• This position directly impacts:
• Youth employment and economic mobility across the Gulf Coast
• Employer access to a skilled, emerging workforce
• Execution of a multi-million-dollar work-based learning investment
• What Makes This Role Different
• You are not responsible for case management or placement execution
• You are responsible for ensuring the system produces results
• You operate at the intersection of strategy, sales, and performance

Ideal Candidate Profile

• A closer, not just a relationship builder
• A problem solver, not an order taker
• A pipeline manager who knows exactly what's moving and what's stuck
• Someone who pushes for outcomes and follows through until the job is done

Do you have…

• A bachelor's degree in an applicable academic discipline or related field of study
• 3 years of experience working with local government, nonprofit programs, school, or in job-related duties

Preferred…

• 3+ years in business development, sales, staffing, or workforce partnerships
• Experience working with employers across multiple industries
• Background in workforce development, recruiting, or talent pipelines is a plus