Industry Workforce Specialist – Life Sciences
Pittsburgh, PA
Full Time
Pittsburgh Life Sciences Alliance
Mid Level
Job Purpose:
The Industry Workforce Specialist will support the region in developing a responsive talent pipeline by quantifying and articulating the dynamic needs of the regional life sciences industry to strategically inform workforce development training programs. This pivotal role will serve as a crucial link between the job creators in the life sciences industry and workforce supply providers, ensuring the development of targeted and effective training programs that meet industry’s current and future workforce needs.
Principal (Essential) Duties:
Industry Engagement
- Proactively engage and build strong, collaborative relationships with industry representatives, HR departments, and other relevant stakeholders within life sciences companies across the Pittsburgh region
- Conduct thorough business assessments to identify current and future talent and training needs, including specific skills, strategic workforce priorities, and emerging industry trends within next-generation precision therapeutics and data-driven healthcare.
- Develop and maintain a database of employers and/or industry representatives and their workforce needs and build productive relationships with them through regular communications.
- Collect and disseminate information about current job openings within the regional life sciences sector.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with community colleges, universities, workforce boards and other training providers to inform the development and enhancement of educational programs that align with identified industry needs.
- Serve as an advisor on industry trends and evolving skill requirements to training organizations, ensuring program relevance and responsiveness.
- Facilitate connections between training programs, and employers to align talent supply with industry demand. Provide opportunities for industry to influence existing training programs and assist with the development of training programs, such as apprenticeships, internships, job shadowing and work-based learning.
- Analyze the existing regional landscape of workforce development programs to identify overlaps and opportunities for strategic collaboration.
- Collect, aggregate, and analyze labor market information, job demand, and skills requirements, translating data on workforce supply and demand into meaningful insights to inform regional workforce development strategies.
- Develop insight reports on regional workforce trends, establishing PLSA as an authority on Pittsburgh’s life science workforce development trends and forecasts for industry and training partners.
- Proven ability to build and maintain strong, influential relationships with diverse stakeholders, including employers, colleges, and other key stakeholders.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, presentation, and facilitation skills.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and synthesize information related to workforce trends and needs.
- Competence in the interplay between industry needs and workforce development strategies.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, and manage multiple priorities effectively. Ability to follow-up and high attention to detail.
- Knowledge of the life sciences sector workforce and specific talent requirements.
- Ability to think critically and solve problems effectively.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and priorities.
- Knowledge of workforce development practices, systems, and program design; knowledge of training systems.
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field. Relevant experience may be substituted for education.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in workforce development, talent acquisition, or a related role within the life sciences industry or a sector with similar talent dynamics.
- Experience working with educational institutions, community organizations, or workforce development agencies.
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