Associate Director of Employer Relations, Career Services

About Worcester State University:

WORCESTER STATE UNIVERSITY is a liberal arts and sciences university with a long tradition of academic excellence dating back to 1874, as well as an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that seeks to reflect the diversity of its community. Our workforce is dedicated to academic quality, student-centered programming, engaged citizenship, open exchanges of ideas, diversity and inclusiveness, and civility and integrity. We are looking for job applicants who share these values and commitment to our students.

Worcester State is centrally located in Massachusetts, about an hour's drive from Boston, Springfield, and Providence, Rhode Island. Our 58-acre campus is nestled in the residential northwest side of Worcester--the second largest city in New England and home to 37,000 college students at more than a dozen colleges and universities. Over 6,000 of those students attend Worcester State--approximately 5,300 are undergraduates and 1,000 are graduate students. Learn more about us at worcester.edu/about .


Job Description:

OFFICIAL TITLE: Associate Director of Employer Relations, Career Services
SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Director of Career Services
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Interns, student employees and internal and external Graduate Assistants.

General Statement of Duties: The Associate Director for Employer Relations in Career Services is responsible for leading the career-related local, regional, and national employer relations efforts while fostering external and internal constituents of Worcester State University. The Associate Director will develop strategic recruitment plans to strengthen the presence of employers on campus in support of the University's strategic plan concerning the career outcomes for students and graduates. The Associate Director is responsible for managing the development of partnerships between Worcester State University and external communities, to expand the number and variety of experiential learning and full-time employment opportunities for Worcester State University students. The position is a full-time, twelve-month position which will require occasional early morning, evening, and weekend hours.

Responsibilities:

(E) = Essential

1. (E) Develops and executes outreach, recruitment, and relationship management strategies that produce high-quality, full-time internship and employment opportunities for students. Establishes a comprehensive network of employer recruitment programs and conducts on-site visits with current and prospective employers to increase engagement with the university and the career services program.
2. (E) Serves as the main contact for employer-related inquiries and follows up on job/internship leads.
3. (E) Creates and oversees policies regarding internship requirements, placements, and employer engagement.
4. (E) Educates students, staff, faculty, administration and employers regarding workforce information, analysis, and ideas to better prepare students in their chosen career path.
5. (E) Assists the Director with the management of the department and implementing the department and University missions, as well as formulating, implementing, and evaluating departmental strategic initiatives.
6. (E) Develops strategies for creating and maintaining relationships with potential employers while continuing to foster campus-wide partnerships.
7. (E) Participates in and represents the University on various committees and task forces.
8. (E) Understands and applies employment market trends as they relate to the job market and recruitment across the range of Worcester State University majors.
9. (E) Solicits and coordinates on- and off-campus recruiting visits by employers such as On-Campus Recruiting, Career Fairs, Information Sessions, Networking Events, Career Treks, Panels and other on- and off-campus recruitment events, including providing logistical support for employers.
10. (E) Establish the annual recruiting calendar, including all deadlines and processes. Schedules dates for employers' information tables/sessions, interviews, and fairs consistent with professional standards.
11. (E) Designs, coordinates and facilitates consistent comprehensive career development workshops, programs and accompanying materials to strengthen the campus/ community-wide acknowledgement of lifelong career development process.
12. (E) Collaborates with the Worcester State University Office of Alumni Relations and Engagement to develop professional opportunities through alumni networks.
13. (E) Integrates technology into daily operations, programs, and presentations; maintains online career management system, providing excellent customer service to those utilizing the system, including troubleshooting technical issues; maintains employer and internship database.
14. (E) Creates and generates reports for employer and student engagement.
15. (E) Assumes responsibilities of supervising staff and coordinating career services programs in the absence of the Director.
16. (E) Provides students with career advising support.
17. (E) Assists with interviewing, onboarding, training and supervising student employees.
18. (E) Provides marketing support and utilizes social media and other innovative strategies to facilitate marketing of career services workshops, programs and events.
19. (E) Works some nights and weekend hours to assist with campus events, including, but not limited to, networking events, professional development events for students, orientation, and admissions events.
20. (E) Ensures inclusive practices; demonstrates sensitivity to students, faculty, and staff of varying racial, ethnic, religious, gender, cultural, disability, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
21. (E) Some in-state and New England travel required.
22. (E) Demonstrates civility and professional, customer-service oriented behavior, worthy of emulation by other staff and students.
23. (E) Responsible for contributing to the WSU Strategic Plan.
24. (E) Responsible for contributing to Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action objectives.
25. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience working in the employer relations arena within higher education, corporate college relations, or employer recruitment.
• Working knowledge across multiple sectors including private, public, and non-profit.
• Demonstrated experience planning and implementing both small- and large-scale recruiting events.
• Ability to work with a broad range of internal and external constituents including students, alumni, employers, faculty, and staff.
• Evidence of an understanding and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Ability to adapt to a dynamic work environment that seeks to improve delivery of services and increases student success.
• Strong written and oral communication, as well as interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational, program development, and creative thinking skills, as well as competency to oversee multiple tasks with keen attention to details.
• Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Office, Google docs, online tools such as LinkedIn and Glassdoor.
• Possession of reliable transportation and ability to travel for employer site visits and professional development opportunities.
• Ability to work some early morning, evening, and weekend hours, when necessary.
• Ability to successfully pass a thorough background check and CORI check.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Handshake preferred.
• 5 years of experience.

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, benefited, exempt, professional APA position. The firm starting annual salary range for this position is $65,000 - $72,000, commensurate with relevant professional experience and education.

It is the policy of Worcester State University that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before they begin employment. Proof of the COVID-19 vaccine is required of all individuals hired by WSU, to be verified after an offer of employment has been made, and as part of the background check process. Prospective employees may submit a request for exemption based on a religious and/or medical basis, to Human Resources, after an offer of employment has been made.

Worcester State University offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

a choice of 9 different pre-taxed, health insurance plan options
a choice of pension or 401(a), and supplemental plan retirement options
life insurance up to 8x the annual salary
long-term disability coverage
dental insurance
20 vacation days accrued per year
15 sick days accrued per year
5 personal days per year
paid holidays
tuition remission for self, spouse, and dependent children
and more...

We are an equal opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. M/F/D/V. Members of traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.


Application Instructions:

Applicants must apply online and may do so by visiting www.worcester.edu/careers, and submitting a cover letter, resume, and the contact information of three professional references.

For assistance with uploading materials, log a ticket via the HelpDesk link, or contact us directly at 508-929-8053.

URL: www.worcester.edu