AAWDC – IT/Cybersecurity Talent Consultant

As the IT/Cybersecurity Talent Consultant, you bring a strong understanding of the technology ecosystem, including cybersecurity, cloud computing, technical support, software development and federal contracting environments. This role requires staying current with rapidly evolving tech trends, certifications and workforce demands to ensure that AAWDC’s training and recruitment strategies align with emerging industry needs. You will serve as a subject-matter resource for internal staff and external partners, helping businesses navigate talent shortages, prepare for future skill requirements and build sustainable talent pipelines in high-growth IT sectors.

Key Responsibilities

Supporting Industry-Specific Workforce Trends:

• Assist in monitoring and reporting on industry-specific workforce trends, regional and national labor markets, and business demographics.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to share insights and best practices.
• Identify and address emerging challenges within the industry, facilitating discussions and developing strategies to overcome them.

Engaging Industry Partnerships:

• Cultivate and sustain relationships with key employers, industry associations, and community partners to identify shared workforce challenges and co-develop innovative solutions.
• Facilitate ongoing communication with business partners to understand evolving skill demands and identify opportunities for collaborative training, hiring, and retention initiatives.
• Act as AAWDC’s trusted advisor to industry partners, promoting a value-driven partnership model that enhances long-term engagement and workforce alignment.
• Actively participate in and represent AAWDC within industry associations, chambers, and professional organizations to strengthen partnerships and stay informed about emerging trends.
• Partner with the Local Workforce Development Board to build and maintain engaged Industry Collaboratives that are representative of the regional industry landscape to ensure the workforce strategies for Anne Arundel County’s workforce system are business led.

Labor Market Analysis:

• Leverage labor market intelligence and workforce data to forecast employer demand, identify high-growth occupations, and drive targeted workforce strategies.
• Use data analytics to evaluate program effectiveness, inform funding decisions, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement in training and recruitment efforts.

Grant Management:

• Support the execution and compliance of grant-funded programs that address industry workforce needs, ensuring deliverables are met within budget and timeline.
• Contribute to data collection, reporting, and performance tracking to demonstrate measurable impact and maintain transparency with funders and stakeholders.

Project Management:

• Lead or assist in the planning, coordination, and execution of multiple concurrent workforce projects, ensuring milestones are achieved efficiently and with measurable impact.
• Develop work plans, establish priorities, and manage timelines to ensure that programs and initiatives deliver tangible results for both employers and job seekers.

Business Engagement:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with IT businesses by listening to their needs, identifying workforce gaps, and co-developing training and hiring solutions.
• Collaborate with businesses to create customized recruitment and training solutions that improve retention and meet the needs of high-demand sectors.

Collaboration:

• Work cross-functionally with internal AAWDC teams, the Local Workforce Development Board, training institutions, and apprenticeship programs to create seamless career pathways and pipelines for job seekers.
• Collaborate with partners to align training programs with industry standards, certifications, and employer expectations, ensuring participant success and career advancement.
• Coordinate with workforce system partners—including economic development agencies, educational institutions, and community organizations—to strengthen alignment and maximize impact across the regional workforce ecosystem

Integration with AAWDC Initiatives:

• Work in conjunction with other AAWDC programs and initiatives to develop employment and training strategies and stay updated on job-ready pipelines.

Data Management:

• Maintain accurate and timely records of business engagement, participant progress, and partnership outcomes using AAWDC’s data management systems.
• Ensure all documentation complies with internal policies, grant requirements, and federal and state reporting standards.

Additional Duties:

• One AAWDC: Potentially take on additional duties, assist other departments and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, or a related field or equivalent work-related experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in workforce development, business development or industry-specific roles.
• Strong knowledge of the industry ecosystem with direct experience in the sector (preferred).
• Completion of Project Management coursework or formal training (preferred).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work effectively in a positive team environment and a willingness to be coached.
• Excellent communication skills, including clear and accurate writing and persuasive oral communication.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to develop creative solutions for industry-specific issues.
• Business development and networking skills.
• Successful candidates must demonstrate a proven track record of accountability in the overall role, showcasing the ability to take ownership of tasks, meet deadlines, and consistently deliver results while effectively managing resources and ensuring adherence to organizational goals.
• Commitment to innovation, collaboration, excellence, teamwork, and delivering value for clients.
• Must be results-driven and able to demonstrate the ability to set, measure, and achieve performance goals using data-informed decision-making.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

• General office environment with a hybrid work environment with in-office and virtual meetings and community engagement, board functions and partner events as needed.
• This position follows a 35-hour work week.
• Position may require evening and weekend hours.
• Position may require local, regional and nationwide travel.
• This position requires movement within the office to access files, office machinery, supplies etc.