Workforce Navigation & Retention Manager

Position Summary

OIC of South Florida is seeking an experienced and results-driven Manager, Workforce Navigation & Retention to lead participant navigation, support services, and retention initiatives across Workforce Development, Youth and Family Services, and OIC Strategic Integration (OICSI). This position oversees Workforce Navigators and participant-support staff, ensuring consistent service delivery, effective case management, and positive participant outcomes.

The ideal candidate combines strong leadership, social services expertise, and a passion for helping individuals overcome barriers, achieve employment goals, and build long-term economic stability. This is a multi-site position and local travel is required. Essential Responsibilities

• Hold primary responsibility for managing workforce navigation and participant retention operations across Workforce Development, Youth and Family Services, and OICSI, including staff direction, service quality, performance standards, and operational priorities.
• Direct and supervise assigned Workforce Navigators and participant-support staff; assign and review work, establish performance expectations, conduct evaluations, provide coaching, and make documented recommendations concerning hiring, promotion, corrective action, and termination, consistent with delegated authority.
• Promote consistent standards for participant engagement, assessment, goal planning, referrals, follow-up, retention, and successful transition.
• Exercise judgment in prioritizing staff assignments, monitoring service responsiveness, allocating caseloads, and addressing workload balance across programs and locations. Maintain a limited participant caseload as operationally necessary, with staff management and program oversight remaining the primary responsibilities of the role.
• Coordinate with program leaders, instructors, employer-engagement staff, data and compliance teams, and community partners to strengthen participant outcomes.
• Guide staff in addressing complex participant barriers (justice-involvement, unemployed, underemployed, housing, etc.) while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries, confidentiality, and participant dignity.
• Use data, participant feedback, and quality reviews to identify trends, improve service delivery, and communicate risks and recommendations to leadership.
• Strengthen community referral relationships for transportation, housing, childcare, behavioral health, legal services, financial capability, emergency assistance, and other participant needs.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and ethical documentation and compliance with organizational, funder, privacy, and mandatory-reporting requirements.
• Model OIC leadership expectations, including integrity, accountability, collaboration, sound judgment, cultural responsiveness, and a solutions-oriented approach.

Qualifications

• Master of Social Work (MSW) from an accredited institution is required. Relevant licensure is preferred but not required unless assigned duties require it.
• At least three years of progressively responsible experience in social services, workforce development, youth development, reentry, behavioral health, education, or a closely related field.
• At least two years of experience supervising, coaching, or leading professional staff.
• Demonstrated ability to strengthen service quality, staff performance, participant engagement, retention, and measurable outcomes.
• Knowledge of strengths-based, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, motivational, and participant-centered practices.
• Understanding of career pathways, employability, supportive services, job placement, retention, and economic mobility.
• Strong written, verbal, facilitation, conflict-resolution, and executive-communication skills.
• Ability to work across multiple programs and locations, manage competing priorities, and respond appropriately to complex or high-risk situations.
• Proficiency with participant-data systems, Microsoft 365, virtual collaboration tools, and data-informed performance management. Essential Leadership Qualities
• An unwavering belief in the dignity, strengths, agency, and potential of every student and participant.
• The ability to balance empathy and support with accountability, expectations, and forward movement.
• Mature judgment, emotional intelligence, discretion, and ethical decision-making.
• Credibility with frontline staff, organizational leaders, funders, employers, families, and community partners.
• A commitment to staff development, reflective supervision, healthy professional boundaries, and continuous improvement.
• Consistent follow-through, problem-solving, collaboration, and focus on measurable results.
• Alignment with OIC of South Florida’s mission, values, and commitment to economic opportunity.