The mission of Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA) is to foster excellence in career development, preparation, and professional opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students and alumni by providing comprehensive services and programming and by promoting strong partnerships with employers, academic departments, and the university community. Learn more about the Northwestern Career Advancement department here: https://www.northwestern.edu/careers/
About Student Affairs: By pursuing justice, equity, and belonging, Student Affairs cultivates student programs, services, and skills; disrupts barriers; and partners across Northwestern and neighboring communities to create an inclusive culture in which all students can thrive. Learn more about the Division of Student Affairs here: https://www.northwestern.edu/studentaffairs/about/strategic-plan/strategic-themes.html
Job Summary: The Director of Employer Recruitment and Engagement supervises all aspects of a comprehensive, student-centered, employer relations program including outreach, on- and off- campus recruiting, marketing, social media, and technology. The director increases visibility of Northwestern in key industries and optimizes the recruiting experience for employers and alumni as they seek talented Northwestern undergraduate and graduate students; leads an employer relations team of 7 staff members as they offer guidance to recruiters and alumni designed to improve their recruiting strategies. The director develops recruiting policies for campus-wide events including fairs, info sessions, on-campus interviewing and career education programs balancing the needs of students and employer partners.
The Director of Employer Recruitment and Engagement supervises three pods of operations, advising, and employer outreach staff members. They lead staff in their professional development and awareness of industry trends and discussions with recruiters about talent needs; coordinate the sharing of this knowledge with NCA and the Northwestern community.
They provide expertise in the strategic implementation of technology platforms, including Handshake, to scale services both for NCA and for other career services offices. The director coordinates the implementation innovative, active, and creative marketing with social media platforms as a method of publicity, positive communication, and outreach to students, employers, alumni, and campus partners.
Principal Accountabilities: Relationships 30%
Leads the strategic direction in regard to employer recruitment; identifies key stakeholders and influencers within employers and other organizations; creates and nurtures mutually beneficial relationships between internal units and employers that support programs and activities and meets career objectives.
Meets with key hiring personnel of current and potential employers of students and graduates to strengthen school-employer partnerships; identify potential employment opportunities; and improve University's reputation and visibility.
Consults with employers on the best way to facilitate employment of students; how to navigate the institution and partner with different units of the school.
Manages relationships with schools and other campus units with the school or within student affairs
Administration 10%
Partners with key internal/external stakeholders regarding the student experience; drives innovation and expansion of current resources and services; identifies and implements opportunities for distinctiveness in resource service delivery.
Oversees and ensures that day-to-day operations are appropriately managed, efficient and effective.
Leads integration of department strategic plan into the school or divisional strategic plan; ensures that resources are created or obtained.
Manages customer service; creates associated practices and procedures and metrics to measure success.
Programs/Events 10%
Develops, plans and implements strategies, goals and approach for programs collaborating with internal/external partners to ensure that events are implemented and meet or exceed planned goals.
Determines goals, objectives, outcome measurements and metrics, financial feasibility, marketing strategies and collaboration opportunities with other internal and external organizations.
Oversees cross-university recruiting events and activities.
Technology 10%
Directs the review of existing technology and leads research that develops systems and associated processes that provide state-of-the-art resources and services to students
Leads exploration and vision related to scalable technology solutions designed to build a more effective and efficient support environment for students.
Examines the opportunity to integrate technology across the school or university.
Supervision 10%
Supervises 2-4 staff.
Marketing/Public Relations 5%
Oversees the development of a state-of-the-art marketing/public relations plan using a multi-faceted approach which leverages new technologies and generational changes and expectations to ensure that students, employers and organizations are aware of resources and services.
Directs the implementation of innovative marketing/ public relations strategies; targets audiences using appropriate technology; and oversees the creation of marketing materials that increase awareness and value of resources and services.
Serves as a spokesperson, internally and externally regarding resources and services and changing market/economic conditions.
Accounting/Budgets 5%
With Alumni Relations and Development, implements fundraising strategies.
Increases resources through employer fees or alumni gifts including managing the corporate sponsorship program
Advising/Counseling 5%
Connects students with alumni and professionals for employment opportunities.
Maintains knowledge of job market trends and hiring practices in a range of fields.
Evaluation 5%
Assesses programs and recommends changes that will innovate and invigorate program including cutting edge developments in the field and changes to better meet students and external partners' needs in order to achieve goals.
Compliance 5%
Oversees development and implementation of processes and procedures that ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and NU laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
Oversees creation and/or implementation of associated training.
Miscellaneous 5%
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 7 years' career counseling/advising in higher education or 7 years' of industry experience; or other relevant experience required; OR
Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a master's or JD or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 6 years' career counseling/advising in higher education or 6 years' of industry experience; or other relevant experience required.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience working with technology in recruiting either career-related CSM systems or applicant tracking systems
Broad knowledge of recruiting process in a variety of different fields
Ability to develop talented professionals and form highly functioning teams.
Benefits: At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.
Work-Life and Wellness: Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.
Professional Growth and Development: Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.
Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.
The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.
