Program Director for Employer Relations

Job Title: Program Director for Employer Relations                        

Department: Career Center

Division: Student Life

Grade: 12

FTE: 1.0

Position Overview:

The Program Director for Employer Relations will develop and implement a comprehensive partnership strategy to create opportunities for students to engage in experiential learning and postgraduate opportunities with a variety of corporate, non-profit, and governmental organizations. Collaborate with internal and external constituencies to build and maintain a high volume of year-round recruiting pipelines across industries, with a specific emphasis on supporting students from historically underrepresented populations. Promote the value of a liberal arts education to external partners and industry relationships to campus constituents.

Essential Job Function/Responsibilities:

Employer Management (50%)

• Coordinate and elevate partnerships with a range of industries to provide experiential learning, part- and full-time employment opportunities for Carleton students and alumni.

• Develop and implement employment pipelines and programs that encourage student engagement with targeted employers and organizations; cultivate enduring relationships with priority employers, consistent with Carleton’s values.

• Work closely with Career Center colleagues and External Relations, traveling as needed, to build relationships with alumni and parents to better utilize connections in recruiting and networking.

• Lead efforts connecting students with industry partners including employers, graduate schools, alumni, parents, and friends of the college with selected career communities (e.g., Business, Finance, and Consulting; Data, Technology, and Entrepreneurism; Law and Advocacy).

• Collaborate with the Career Center staff on recruitment processes for host sites (e.g. externships and internships) offered by alumni, family, and friends of the college.

• Cultivate partnerships with key campus partners to develop recruitment pipelines for students in priority student demographic and interest areas.

• Manage select career development programs for students, including site visits to employers, skill-building workshops, and other career-readiness activities.

• Strategically adapt Carleton’s employer recruiting efforts based on current trends and anticipated needs of students, and provide employer and industry insights to the Career Center staff and college overall.

• Review and update recruiting program policies and procedures to be consistent with the evolving legal and business environments. 

Supervision (30%)

• Lead the employer relations team and assure the vision, direction, and initiatives align with Career Center goals.

• Provide direction and oversight of administrative and student staff to ensure appropriate and efficient delivery of recruiting services.

• Develop and improve upon the marketing of employment opportunities and recruiting activities to students on campus.

• Oversee implementation of Career Services Management platform Handshake in coordination with Recruiting Program Coordinator.

• Maintain integrity of data collection and integration processes between Handshake and related Carleton systems.

Career Coaching (20%)

• Provide career development resources to students and alumni through individual and group sessions.

• Develop and implement programs and services to support career progression based on the needs of current students, graduate employment outcomes, and demographic projections.

• Advise students on essential career development skills, including the negotiation of offers, overall ethical/professional conduct, résumé/cover letter writing, informational interviewing, interview preparation, time management, and interview cancellations.

Supervision Received and Exercised:

This position will supervise an administrative support staff member. This role will work closely with administrative and student staff to manage recruiting functions in the office.

The position reports to the Director of the Career Center and will have a high level of autonomy in creating and managing all recruiting-related initiatives. 

Education/Experience/Skills (supported by job duties):

Required:

• Master’s Degree in relevant field (including student affairs, higher education, human resource management, or a related discipline)

• 5 years of relevant experience in career development in higher education, human resources, and/or recruiting

• Outstanding interpersonal skills including networking and relationship management, particularly with external constituencies

• Ability to exercise independent judgment and accuracy in a fast-paced environment

• Possess a dynamic, professional demeanor with a motivated and enthusiastic work style

• Flexibility and capacity to conduct evening and weekend programs and events, especially activities including travel

Preferred:

• Minimum two year’s experience working in a college/university recruiting environment

• Background or experience in coaching students interested in business, finance, or consulting

• Computer skills including familiarity with online recruiting technology and career services management systems, particularly Handshake

• A deep interest in a liberal arts education and commitment to student life and learning

Must have the ability to understand and follow written and oral work instructions, operations, safety procedures, and hazardous labels. 

Note: This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. 

Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the hire is complete. We accept only online applications.

Carleton College is an AA/EEO Employer: We are committed to developing our staff to better reflect the diversity of our student body and American society. Members of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Staff Salary and Benefits: The selected finalist’s salary will be based on the candidate’s qualifications, internal pay structure, and our overall compensation package. Carleton offers a generous benefits package, including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, 403(b) retirement plans with a 10% employer contribution with immediate vesting, a health savings account with a college contribution, a generous paid time off package, as well as access to many other campus amenities. 

Founded in 1866, Carleton College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college of roughly 2,000 students located in the historic river town of Northfield, Minnesota.  Nationally recognized as the nation’s top college for undergraduate teaching, Carleton is known for its academic rigor, intellectual curiosity, and sense of humor. Carleton offers 33 majors and 38 minors  in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, mathematics, and social sciences.