Associate Director, Employer Engagement

University of Southern California•Los Angeles, CA

2d•$90,325 - $105,612

About The Position

The University of Southern California Career Center is seeking an Associate Director of Employer Engagement to lead strategic initiatives that strength partnerships between employers and the university community. This position oversees the planning, management, and execution of employer engagement programs, recruitment services, and partnership development opportunities that connect employers with students and alumni, while supporting career readiness and post-graduation outcomes. The Associate Director provides leadership and supervision to staff supporting employer engagement and serves as a key liaison between employers, campus partners, and the Career Center. This role may require occasional evening or weekend work to support events, employer visits, or special initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in employer relations, recruiting, or career services.
Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience.
Strong relationship management, communication, and organizational skills.
Experience with job and internship platforms such as Handshake and other career services-based platforms.

Nice To Haves

Experience in budget management and strategic planning.
Knowledge of career development principles and trends in campus recruiting.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Program Management Provide strategic direction and vision for employer engagement programs in collaboration with the Executive Director.
Lead the development and management of the university’s central recruiting program, including career fairs, information sessions, employer-based workshops and interviews.
Analyze recruiting trends to inform scheduling, policies, and employer engagement strategies.
Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of the university’s job and internship platform (e.g., Handshake), ensuring an efficient and user-friendly employer and student experience.
Evaluate and refine employer engagement processes to ensure alignment with institutional priorities and student success goals.
Employer Relationship Development Cultivate and maintain relationships with new and existing employer partners to expand recruiting opportunities for students and alumni.
Lead outreach efforts for Career Center employer-based signature events.
Establish, manage, and grow the Employer Partner Program, including stewardship and recognition of participating organizations.
Conduct employer satisfaction surveys and benchmarking studies to improve services and engagement outcomes.
Team Leadership and Supervision Supervise professional staff and student workers, providing mentorship, professional development, and performance evaluations.
Oversee onboarding, training, and coaching for team members to ensure high-quality employer engagement services.
Foster collaboration and communication within the Employer Engagement team and across the Career Center and school-based career services.
Campus and External Collaboration Partner with academic departments, alumni relations, and Student Life units to coordinate employer events and initiatives.
Represent the Career Center in university-wide committees, external consortia, and professional associations to strengthen employer connections and institutional visibility.
Serve as a resource to faculty, advisors, and staff on employer trends and recruitment best practices.
Administrative and Financial Oversight Assist the Executive Director in forecasting, monitoring, and managing budgets related to employer engagement and recruiting programs.
Oversee employer billing, event revenue, and related financial processes.
Compile and analyze employer engagement data and prepare annual reports to demonstrate impact and outcomes.
Support special projects, staff development initiatives, and events that advance the mission of the Career Center.
Perform other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.