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Title: Associate Director of Corporate & Employer Relations

Position Type: Staff Full-Time

Days Per Week: Monday - Friday

Hours Per Week: 40

VP Area: Strategic Initiatives

Department: Student Professional Development Center/Career Services

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Corporate & Employer Relations (CER) plays a key role within Elon University's Student Professional Development Center (SPDC), cultivating and managing external partnerships that expand access to internships, full-time employment, and other types of career experiences for students.
Using a high-touch, consultative approach, the Associate Director delivers customized recruitment solutions that connect employers in the Business and Financial Services sectors with Elon talent. In addition to employer engagement, the Associate Director leads one or more strategic initiatives that support the CER team's mission, such as coordinating external outreach for career treks or leading DEI recruiting partnerships. This role involves regular collaboration with recruiters, alumni, faculty, staff, and other members of the Elon community to foster meaningful connections and career opportunities.

Benefits of Working at Elon

As an Elon University employee, you'll join an internationally acclaimed university with a commitment to fostering a thriving community. Ranked among the most innovative, creative and best-run universities in the nation, Elon's personal approach to education extends to employees, whose growth, professional development and success is a hallmark of our training and advancement opportunities.
Elon University's home is the charming town of Elon, North Carolina, a small, friendly community located a short distance from the beach and the mountains, and among the vibrant cities of Greensboro, Raleigh and Durham. In addition to the beautiful canopy of historic oak trees iconic to our campus, you'll find boundless opportunities for family-friendly recreation, cultural events and outdoor activities. Hiking, water sports, fine dining and entertainment are just a few of the many happenings in the Elon area, making the region one of the nation's premier travel destinations.
Employees at Elon enjoy a generous and comprehensive benefits package that includes:
28 annual days off, including holidays and vacation.
Immediate tuition remission for undergraduate courses
Tuition remission for approved graduate-level courses after 12 months of employment.
Retirement plan with an 8 percent contribution from the university.
Immediate eligibility for health, dental and vision insurance, along with free acute care and lab services at our onsite Health & Wellness Clinic.
Free use of campus fitness facilities.
Free admission to musical and theater performances, guest speakers, religious and ethnic observances, recitals, art exhibitions, entertainment and our Division I Phoenix athletics.
Eligibility for tuition remission at Elon for spouses, qualifying domestic partners and dependents begins at two years of service. After two years of employment, eligibility begins for participation in the Tuition Exchange, a national scholarship exchange program that enables dependents to enroll in nationally recognized partner colleges and universities.
Elon values and celebrates the diverse backgrounds, cultures, experiences and perspectives of our community members. As an equal opportunity employer, Elon's principles of diversity extend to race and gender identity, age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, religion, and other aspects of one's identity. At Elon, our employees respect human differences, passion for lifelong learning, emphasis on personal integrity and an ethic of service.

Minimum Required Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree and 2+ years of professional work experience
Previous experience in career services, workforce development, university relations & recruiting, or similar fields.
Demonstrated success in networking, relationship management, and/or business development.
Excellent communication, organizational, and project management skills.
Ability to work independently, travel regularly, and represent Elon with professionalism.

Preferred Education and Experience

Master's degree and 5+ years of professional work experience
Previous experience in career services, workforce development, university relations & recruiting, or similar fields.
Demonstrated success in networking, relationship management, and/or business development.
Strong understanding of recruiting and hiring trends in Business and Financial Services.
Experience working with CRM and/or career services platforms.
Excellent communication, organizational, and project management skills.
Collaborative mindset with experience working across academic and administrative units.
Ability to work independently, travel regularly, and represent Elon with professionalism.

Job Duties

• Employer Engagement & Market Development
  • Cultivate and manage a portfolio of employer partnerships within the Business and Financial Services sectors to expand access to internships, full-time roles, and career experiences for Elon students. Portfolio assignments may evolve based on institutional priorities and market trends.
  • Conduct monthly travel to priority markets, informed by student career interests and labor market data, to meet with recruiters, alumni, and industry professionals.
  • Plan and execute high-impact visits with precise communication and follow-up strategies. Leverage alumni networks, faculty insights, and industry research to identify new opportunities and maintain long-term partnerships. 
• Portfolio Management & Customized Recruitment Solutions
  • Serve as the primary relationship manager for a portfolio of employer partners, providing tailored recruitment strategies and solutions.
  • Maintain consistent communication through CRM platforms and outreach tools. Track engagement, document future opportunities, and ensure alignment with student career goals and institutional priorities.
  • Respond to inbound and internship leads and coordinate with Career Coaches/Advisors to fill gaps in opportunity pipelines.
• Event Leadership & Programming
  • Design a menu of employer engagement opportunities that align with institutional goals and employer priorities. Recruit and steward employer and industry partners to participate in programs and events, ensuring alignment with student career interests, academic priorities, and recruiting needs.
  • Serve as a conduit between employers and campus stakeholders, including faculty, student organizations, and administrative units to facilitate meaningful engagement and collaboration.
  • Partner with the SPDC Employer Events and Operations staff to ensure smooth execution of programs, providing strategic guidance and context for employer involvement.
  • Collaborate with SPDC colleagues and academic units to ensure employer programs and initiatives support the college/school/center goals and enhance student career opportunities and professional networks.
• Strategic Planning & Industry Intelligence
  • Use labor market data, student interest trends, and engagement metrics to inform outreach strategy and employer relationship development.
  • Collaborate with the Director and CER team to assess current practices and co-create the next iteration of outreach, travel, and assessment.
  • Share insight with faculty and staff to inform advising/coaching, programming, and curricular alignment. Stay informed on recruiting practices and skill demands across Business and Financial Services to support career preparation and success.
  • Participate in professional development and contribute to team-wide strategic planning and innovation efforts.
• University Representation & Inclusive
  • Partnership Building Collaborates with faculty, staff, and advancement partners to align employer outreach with academic priorities and institutional goals. Ensures employer engagement efforts reflect inclusive recruiting practices and support Elon's values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Represents Elon University at employer meetings, industry events, and professional associations to elevate the institution's visibility and expand opportunities for students.
• Inclusive Community Building Community is foundational to Elon and a shared responsibility within our residential campus. All who work at Elon should demonstrate an understanding of and engagement with Elon's foundational commitment to relationships, mentoring and collaboration in a close-knit residential community. We embrace the shared responsibility to foster inclusive excellence within a strong residential community. Accordingly, employees are expected to join together and build connections in activities that foster an active and engaged campus environment and engage in professional development to support the shared responsibility of enriching diversity, equity, and inclusion through meaningful relationships and mentoring at Elon. Employees are encouraged to, for example, attend or participate in campus activities such as College Coffee, Numen Lumen, campus cultural events, athletic events, continuing education, professional development opportunities and trainings, employee resource groups and other university-sponsored activities to demonstrate an active commitment to the Elon community. - (Essential)

Special Instructions to Applicants: This is a 12-month in-person role. Travel required. Some evening and weekend work will be required as needed.