Industry Engagement Specialist

American University•Washington, DC

4d•$75,000 - $85,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Industry Engagement Specialist (IES) spearheads establishing and maintaining robust partnerships with key players in [specific industry, e.g., finance, technology, healthcare, sustainability, consulting, media, entertainment, hospitality, real estate] to cultivate new employer relationships for the purpose of enhancing career outcomes for Kogod undergraduate and graduate students. The IES will expand internship and job opportunities for Kogod students by establishing strong relationships with key employers, recruiters, and alumni in order to develop important networks, identify quality internship and career programs and opportunities, and keep abreast of employer needs. The IES will identify and build relationships with target employers within the specified key industry sector with strong internship and full-time job opportunities that align with Kogod students’ interests and strengths, and to increase opportunities for students to interview with these companies by effectively marketing the Kogod School of Business. The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying potential corporate partners, developing engagement strategies, coordinating recruitment events, and ensuring a continuous presence of industry opportunities available to our students. This position demands a proactive approach, excellent relationship-building skills, and a deep understanding of industry trends to effectively match our students' skills with employer needs. The IES will act as a bridge between the business school and industry, enhancing the school's reputation as a prime source of top-tier talent.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
4 - 6 years of relevant experience.
Proficient communication skill.
Experience and knowledge of, or demonstrated interest in, business careers.
Demonstrated knowledge of relationship management databases.
High proficiency in MS Office, including Excel and PowerPoint along with demonstrated in-depth experience using LinkedIn and other professional social networking sites.
Experience in University career services, recruiting, staffing, human resources or business development.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or equivalent.
5 - 8 years of relevant experience.
Broad understanding of the value of a business school education, particularly MBA and specialty master's programs and the international visa process.
Experience in or knowledge of working within industry specific areas.

Responsibilities

Develop a strategic vision and plan for ongoing engagement with external partners, including employers and alumni, and oversee execution of that plan throughout the calendar year.
Conduct research to understand the industries, sectors, and types of organizations that are of interest to students. Gather feedback from employers about their recruitment needs, competition, challenges facing the company, preferred communication channels, and expectations. Gain deep understanding of student populations and curricular highlights to be able to market Kogod student and alumni talent. Listen to what employers want and key obstacles or barriers to success. Attend networking functions as appropriate to develop employer contacts while promoting university and college objectives.
Create, cultivate, and maintain external relationships to ensure active engagement; establish personal connections with employer representatives. Regularly communicate with employers to stay updated on their recruitment needs, upcoming opportunities, and feedback on student candidates. Maintain communication to ensure awareness and create a regular cadence for outreach. Foster long-term relationships by providing value added services and meeting needs.
Prioritize employers based on their potential to offer valuable opportunities to students and their willingness to engage with Kogod. Create a plan for outreach and engagement tailored to the specific needs of the employer. Conduct business development, both virtually and in person, within industries including outreach to new companies and increasing the Kogod hiring footprint across companies where relationships currently exist. Understand the unique recruitment challenges and objectives of each employer and tailor services accordingly. Understand recruiting timelines to ensure deliverables meet expectations. Promote ethical standards such as interviewing protocols.
Meet regularly with career coaches to share information about employer events, recruiting opportunities, application deadlines, etc. Work with career coaches to identify students for key opportunities and inclusion in curated resume books.
Collaborate with UG, MBA, and specialty master’s program faculty to better understand curriculum and share insights into how curriculum can support employer needs. Share information with faculty and program leadership about specific opportunities, events, and application deadlines. Share industry and recruiting insights with faculty and program leadership.
Participate in the design and plan of strategic engagements such as career fairs, networking events, etc. for Kogod and American University.
Provide solutions such as fairs, networking events, employer panels, and industry-specific workshops etc. to facilitate interactions between students and employers. Partner with student clubs to deliver targeted engagements and enhance connectivity. Provide customized recruitment solutions such as career sessions, coffee chats, in class presentations, skills sessions, site visits, 1:1 or group engagements – both in-person and virtual.
Partners with departments and other academic units to identify relevant and appropriate on-campus professional development opportunities, including class speakers, panelists, and career mentoring opportunities; works with event staff to ensure positive experience for students and guests.
Contribute to and maintain a database of active employers and alumni and reports on engagement activities, their success, and recommendations for future opportunities.
Create content on appropriate media channels to maximize visibility of opportunities both to promote beforehand and report on afterwards.
Maintain accurate notes on employer outreach and engagement; prepare correspondence, reports, and presentations regarding outreach activities and events; track communication to ensure successful activities and events are documented.
Utilize key performance indicators (KPIs) as established by leadership to measure effectiveness of employer engagement efforts. Regularly assess the impact of engagement activities on student outcomes, employer satisfaction, and overall career services objectives. Participate in semester and year end debrief meetings as well and contribute to reporting. Use feedback from employers and students to continuously improve engagement strategies and services offered.
Collaborate with data team to collect and track student outcomes from employers and maintain knowledge of applicable reporting standards.
Stay updated on industry trends, participate in professional development workshops, conferences, and training sessions, and implement new strategies or techniques learned.
Share industry trends, recruiting timelines, and other best practices with coaching teams and staff to inform student preparation. Participate in development of student resources related to industry trends and hiring timelines.
Facilitate special projects, serve on committees, etc. as needed.