Employer Engagement Manager

Grand Canyon University • Phoenix, AZ

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About The Position

Grand Canyon University is a private, nondenominational Christian university in Phoenix, Arizona. The Employer Engagement Manager oversees the employer engagement team’s programs and operations, identifying and addressing employer development and engagement needs through collaboration with external employers and internal partners, including Career Services staff, faculty, and campus administrators. The role operates with increased autonomy and supervises a small team.

The manager identifies employer needs and coordinates in-person and virtual engagement activities to grow job and internship opportunities for GCU students and alumni. The role develops and executes industry engagement plans, monitors workforce trends and employer hiring needs, evaluates engagement initiatives, and uses data and outcomes to improve strategy. It also collaborates across departments to deliver industry-specific career exploration and employment activities, strengthen student-facing partnerships, and communicate employer engagement trends across the university.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered in lieu of the degree.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in higher education career advising or a related field, with a proven ability to implement and manage programs that support student success.
• Willingness to work non-standard hours as needed for event support, including occasional evenings or weekends.
• Must successfully pass a background check.
• Demonstrate through appropriate behavior a positive example to students by supporting the University’s Doctrinal Statement, Ethical Position Statement, and Mission.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree or a degree in the assigned college discipline preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with creating and executing an annual plan for in- and out-of-state industry engagement to expand the GCU Employer Network and deepen relationships with current and prospective employers and business representatives.
• Monitor industry hiring cycles, workforce trends, and talent demands to inform outreach, engagement priorities, and employer partnership opportunities.
• Evaluate engagement initiatives and ensure the team documents employer communications and engagement levels.
• Manage employer engagement through cross-functional collaboration to design, coordinate, and deliver industry-specific career exploration and employment activities and events, such as career panels, site visits, topical programs, and access-to-industry events.
• Ensure logistical readiness, stakeholder alignment, and post-event follow-up on hiring outcomes; document progress to support continuous improvement.
• Supervise relationship-building and education-awareness efforts with colleges and student-facing departments to strengthen alignment and adoption of best practices that help students secure internships and work experience leading to employment or graduate school.
• Monitor and interpret workforce and career trends across industries, provide actionable updates to department leadership and colleagues, and lead the team in guiding employer partners on best practices and navigating GCU activities and systems.
• Recommend engagement strategy enhancements based on trend data and outcomes.
• Analyze department reports and support department leadership in sharing information across the university about employer engagement activity, trends, and connections to the university industry ecosystem.
• Perform other duties assigned to advance department and university goals, including directly managing and overseeing full- or part-time staff and student workers.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• 401(k) savings plan.
• Generous time off plan and 11 paid holidays.
• Paid time off to volunteer in the community or at GCU-sponsored events.
• Free covered parking.
• Education Tuition Discount Program for full-time employees, their spouses, and dependent children.
• Free on-site gyms on campus.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager