Associate Director for Employer Relations

• The Associate Director is responsible for establishing partnerships with new employers while maintaining existing relationships through strategic outreach. This role will implement and develop recruitment strategies and programs designed to enhance employer relationships with the university colleges, departments, students, faculty, and staff.
• Identify, cultivate, and secure sponsorships and external funding opportunities to support employer engagement initiatives, career fairs, and strategic programming. Collaborate with university advancement, corporate relations, and additional university offices to align efforts with external relationships and institutional fundraising goals.
• Participates in area and regional business associations and Chamber related recruitment activities.
• Develops quality employment opportunities in private/public sectors; builds and maintains relationships.
• Participates or oversees the coordination of career events and appropriate communications.

• The Associate Director will lead the development and execution of a comprehensive vision and strategic plan for employer relations, aligning with institutional goals and labor market trends to enhance student career outcomes and employer engagement.
• Serve on departmental Senior Leadership Team.
• The Associate Director oversees the major programs of on-campus recruitment (business and industry), employer relations strategic planning and implementation, cooperative education program, internship coordination, employer advisory board and corporate fund relations in assistance with the Director for the department.
• Provides direct support to counseling staff and work with faculty/college administrators to further enhance a central clearinghouse of learning opportunities.
• Develops and manages the Employer Relations budget.
• Oversees assessments, data tracking and analysis relative to employer outreach and employment related activities for students and employers.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director.

• Provide leadership, guidance, and supervision to the employer relations team, including an Assistant Director for Employer Relations, Assistant Director for Experiential Learning, and Recruitment Specialist. Responsibilities include hiring, training, performance evaluation, and professional development to ensure a high-performing, collaborative team.
• Supervised staff are responsible for the following key functional areas, under the direction and oversight of the Associate Director:
  • On-Campus Recruiting Coordination: Manage logistics and execution of on-campus interviews, information sessions, classroom presentations, networking events, career fairs, and related activities. Utilize and maintain the career management database system.
  • Internship Development and Coordination: Design and implement strategies to expand internship opportunities and visibility among employers, students, alumni, and the university community. Support employers in developing structured internship programs and maintain a centralized internship repository.
  • Cooperative Education Program Oversight: Promote and manage the university-wide Cooperative Education program in collaboration with academic units and employer partners.
  • Employer Advisory Board Management: Facilitate the development and engagement of an employer advisory board to strengthen relationships between employers and the university.
  • Employer Database and Event Tracking: Maintain a comprehensive database of employer contacts and campus recruiting activities.

Minimum Education/Experience

• Master’s degree and five years of experience in hiring, recruitment, career development, workforce development, business management, etc.
• Three years minimum experience in supervision, management, budget planning, effective organization and human relations skills.
• Displays knowledge of hiring trends, higher education, campus collaboration, and regional workforce needs.
• Experience with technology systems/software (ex. Handshake, Simplicity, or other recruitment technologies)

Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education

• Seven years of experience hiring, recruitment, career development, workforce development, business management, etc. and three years of direct employer relations experience.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Analytical ability to evaluate operations and client needs and develop programs responsive to those needs. Ability to conceptualize, design and implement innovative employer relations programs appropriate for all levels of students and alumni seeking careers in all sectors of employment.
• Knowledge and trends of effective and cutting-edge employer relations delivery models and ability to implement changes appropriate for ECU. Ability to communicate and market the services and programs of the Center to employers, students, faculty and administrators.