Assistant Director of Employer Relations , Nicholas School of the Environment

Duke Careers•Durham, NC

7d•$64,505 - $106,121•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Employer Relations (Career Specialist, Senior) is a vital part of the Nicholas School of the Environment’s Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC). This role supports graduate students across diverse environmental programs as they explore career pathways and secure internships and full-time opportunities. The Nicholas School of the Environment (NSOE) Student Services Office supports approximately 350 students across programs including the Master of Environmental Management (MEM), Master of Forestry (MF), distance learning MEM (DEL-MEM), and interdisciplinary degrees such as iMEP and MBCS. This position works at the intersection of student success and employer engagement, helping students translate their skills into meaningful careers while building relationships that expand opportunities across industries. In this high-impact role, the individual will serve as both a trusted career advisor and a strategic employer development leader, driving outcomes that directly influence student career success and organizational partnerships.

Requirements

Work generally requires communications, analytical and organizational skills acquired through completion of a master's degree program.
Work requires one year of experience in a placement or other student services function to gain considerable knowledge of career counseling and placement programs.
Or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.

Nice To Haves

2+ years of experience developing and conducting training workshops, including resume and cover letter writing, job and internship search, networking and employer correspondence, interviewing, salary negotiation, and professionalism.
2+ years of experience in engaging with employers, developing relationships, maintaining networks, developing strategic plans.
Effective communication skills to engage with students and employers.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Collaboration skills – team-oriented, yet able to work independently and communicate progress.
Interest or background in environment, sustainability, conservation, or climate-focused fields.
Budget management experience.
Experience with Duke systems.
Data management skills including creating and administering stakeholder surveys, analyzing data, and presenting findings.
Systematic, process-oriented, critical thinker.
Emotional intelligence, risk management skills, process improvement experience.
Open-mindedness and interest in working with diverse populations, including international students.

Responsibilities

Serve as a front-line student-interfacing career coach supporting graduate students in establishing realistic career plans and objectives.
Help students articulate their goals, skills, and qualifications in resumes, cover letters, interviews, online platforms, and networking conversations.
Develop and deliver career and professional development programming aligned with the CPDC Career Ecosystem framework.
Support recruitment efforts through prospective student engagement, virtual sessions, and onboarding activities.
Communicate employer opportunities through newsletters, listservs, and social media channels.
Research, develop, and engage employer relationships aligned with strategic goals and student career outcomes.
Identify and cultivate partnerships that lead to internships, full-time roles, and experiential learning opportunities.
Design and implement employer engagement strategies, including information sessions, career treks, and recruitment initiatives.
Build and maintain relationships with corporations, agencies, and organizations to track hiring trends and workforce needs.
Lead employer development for the Stanback fellowship program and support program analysis and employer engagement.
Track and analyze employment outcomes and employer engagement metrics; produce reports and recommendations.
Manage employer visits, information sessions, career fairs, and related programming (virtual and in-person).
Train and supervise student assistants and support funding and administrative processes.
Collaborate with campus partners and participate in cross-functional career initiatives.
Support Student Services events such as orientation, graduation, and admitted student programming.