Director of Employer Relations

University of Oklahoma•Norman, OK

29d

About The Position

The Director of Employer Relations provides visionary leadership in advancing the university's career readiness mission through cross-campus collaboration, employer engagement, and strategic program development. This is done by developing, expanding, and maintaining strategic relationships with employers, industry partners, and campus stakeholders to increase internship and full-time employment opportunities for University of Oklahoma students. Responsible for driving data-informed relationship development efforts, provides direction for employer engagement strategy, and oversees a team of professionals focused on delivering high-impact recruiting programs, career events, and experiential learning opportunities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, AND: 7 years experience in employer development, talent acquisition, career services, college recruiting or related field
Equivalency/Substitution: Experience or a combination of education and related experience can be considered in lieu of degree. A one-to-one ratio is used to determine the number of years of experience required in place of a degree.
Ability to effectively market the university and its students to external employers, and successfully convert prospective partners into active recruiters
Collaborative mindset with strong team-building and cross-functional coordination abilities
Demonstrated success in employer relations, talent acquisition, or the development of strategic employer partnerships
Strong relationship management and customer service skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders
Proven ability in strategic planning, program development, and execution of initiatives that foster impactful employer engagement
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to various audiences
Experience in program assessment, data analysis, and outcomes-based evaluation
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and familiar with career services platforms and related technologies
Knowledge of college recruiting practices, industry trends, and best practices
Ability to supervise and lead teams, ensuring effective collaboration and achievement of university goals
Ability to travel

Responsibilities

Builds and maintains partnerships with employers, academic units, and institutional stakeholders to promote career readiness and employer connectivity
Leads efforts to expand employer connected learning opportunities, develop scalable strategic partnership programs, and align employer engagement strategies with university-wide goals
Ensures that partnerships and programs meet the evolving needs of students, industry, and higher education
Serves as a primary point of contact for employer engagement at the University of Oklahoma, using assessment data to prioritize relationship development efforts
Cultivates and manages strategic partnerships with employers to create high-quality internships, experiential learning, and full-time job opportunities for students
Fosters strong working relationships with academic units, including Deans, Associate Deans, and Division and Program Directors to align employer engagement with college-specific student needs
Continuously identifies new opportunities for employer collaboration based on labor market trends and student career interests
Develops and implements assessment tools to evaluate the effectiveness of employer programs and services
Collects, analyzes, and reports quantitative and qualitative data on employer engagement, recruiting events, and partnership outcomes to inform strategy and demonstrate results
Stays up to date on national and regional employment trends and best practices through active participation in professional associations; share insights with internal stakeholders
Conducts benchmarking and best practice reviews to enhance employer engagement strategies and programs
Supervises assigned staff, offering guidance, coaching, and opportunities for professional growth and collaboration
Provides strategic oversight for on-campus and off-campus recruiting programs, including job fairs, networking events, and industry panels
Collaborates with career advising, alumni relations, and advancement teams to ensure employer engagement aligns with broader university goals and enhances the recruiting return on investment (ROI)
Promotes a culture of innovation, accountability, and collaboration across the employer relations team
Performs various duties as needed to successfully fulfill the function of the position