The Workforce Planning Specialist will be responsible for the development, maintenance, and operation of intern, extern, and international employment programs, including culinary/hospitality management; international seasonal visa participants; corporate interns; apprentices; and other work-based learning programs. The Administrator will oversee program development and compliance; processing and documentation with the support of Biltmore's immigration attorneys; recruitment and administrative activities; housing and other logistics; and work with operational stakeholders to identify and meet labor needs and develop new talent pipelines. The Specialist will also work closely with the HR Business Partners and operational stakeholders to prioritize and meet staffing needs most critical to delivery of Biltmore guest service offerings.

The Workforce Planning Specialist will work with Biltmore's leaders, Employee Experience, and legal teams to ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines; employment laws; educational requirements, if applicable; and petition-regulating bodies (Department of Labor, USCIS, Homeland Security, Congress) to maintain utilization of international visa programs. Additionally, this position will collaborate with leadership and the Employee Experience team to address necessary performance issues across the spectrum of employment program participation.

Essential Job Duties

1. Oversight for all student programs; ensures that Biltmore is represented at key career fairs and other hiring events; manages interview and selection activities, etc.; assists with offers, hiring, and arrival logistics for related programming.

2. Develops and maintains relationships with all departments at various levels within the company to assess program needs, develop/enhance offerings, establish training guidelines, travel, and provide operational support for programs.

3. Works with leadership to develop annual program budgets; responsible for program planning, development, and execution.

4. Attends operational meetings; engages in collaborative partnerships with stakeholders to evolve and adapt programs to meet business needs.

5. Responsible for timely and accurate visa filing for international program participants; and compliance for all programs in accordance with federal laws and guidelines.

6. Develop local apprenticeship pipelines and provide general support for workforce development activities.

7. Coordinate with the Employee Experience leadership team to understand critical staffing needs; adapt programs to support company business needs and objectives.

8. Develop and maintain relationships with community and local recruitment partners to expand recruiting pipelines, strengthen workforce partnerships, and support organizational hiring needs.

9. Serve as the primary point of contact for third-party staffing and labor providers, coordinating workforce needs, maintaining vendor relationships, and supporting the effective utilization of supplemental labor resources.

10. Works with dept director to develop local contingency staffing plans for key positions should programs be suspended or halted for any reason.

11. Serves as the primary point of contact for coordinating program participant arrivals, including pre-arrival communications, travel logistics, transportation, housing coordination, and onboarding support to ensure a smooth transition into the organization.

12. Oversee all aspects of program participant housing, including housing contracts, inventory management, logistics, resident placements, and ongoing coordination and support for both third-party housing partners and company residents.

13. Makes regular use of data and metrics to assess ROI of programs; maximizes return on investment and ensures good stewardship of company resources; produces reports in partnership with HRIS reporting centers as requested/needed.

Additional Responsibilities

1. Cross-trains in all operational areas of Employee Experience departments to provide service and support where needed.

2. Flexibility to adapt to company needs and budgetary needs.

3. Coding of invoices and program expenses in a timely and organized manner.

4. Coordinates communications between partners, stakeholders, and program participants to ensure seamless transitions and servicing of staffing needs.

5. Involved with performance counseling and/or coaching as needed/requested by leadership or the Employee Experience team.

6. Develops and maintains feedback mechanisms for program participants and stakeholders; regularly administers and reports out on findings to the leadership team as requested.

7. General support for department, attractions group, and company.

Qualifications

1. Two or four-year degree preferred. Additional education, training, and/or certification(s) helpful. SHRM or HRCI certification a plus.

2. At least two (2) years of related experience in administering work-based learning, employment programs, or operational logistics. Equivalent combination of education/experience considered. Background in education, training, or staffing/HR helpful.

3. Program development experience preferred. Understanding international employment program management and work-based learning programming is a plus.

4. Excellent project management, organizational, and planning abilities; proactive, exercises good judgment; anticipates, addresses, and troubleshoots.

5. Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills; conveys information clearly, concisely, effectively; builds positive working relationships across the company at all levels; actively listens and assesses needs appropriately.

6. Excellent computer skills, particularly with Microsoft Excel. Ability to learn Biltmore products and services; processes, systems, and protocols; and organizational structure quickly.

7. Demonstrated commitment to delivery of world-class internal/external guest service; proven leadership skills; ability to build/develop/motivate teams.

8. Professional; reflects company's core values; high ethical standards; able to maintain confidentiality.