Employer Engagement Coordinator

South Dakota Board of Regents; Brookings (SD); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Tuition reduction

Relocation assistance

Job summary

South Dakota State University (SDSU) is seeking an Employer Engagement Coordinator to enhance employer outreach and engage students with internships and jobs. This 12-month, full-time role is based in Brookings, SD, and reports to the Assistant Director of Employer Engagement.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree and at least one year in employer relations or related field. A valid driver's license is needed and sponsorship is not available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree by start date.
• Experience in employer relations, recruitment, or career counseling or related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 30 days.

Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate employer outreach strategies to expand recruiting relationships.
• Facilitate relationships between employers and the University community (students, faculty, staff).
• Assist in planning and evaluating events and recruiting initiatives for internships and jobs.
• Coordinate on-campus recruitment and career fairs, including day-of-event execution.
• Educate stakeholders on using Handshake and other career platforms.

Skills

Employer relations

Customer service

Interpersonal communication

Career counseling

Event coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Handshake

Job description

The Office of Career Development at South Dakota State University ( SDSU ) continues to grow, engage, and cultivate a career-everywhere culture. We are seeking a people-centered professional with enthusiasm for customer service and student support to join our team as a new Employer Engagement Coordinator. The successful candidate will work to enhance industry engagement which will help generate opportunities for students to gain professional skills, integrate academic learning with employment opportunities, and ultimately secure internships and jobs. This is a 12-month, full-time, benefits-eligible position located in Brookings, South Dakota.

In the Office of Career Development career readiness is our passion, and we focus on two main goals; facilitating the transition from student to professional and helping students and employers connect. From students exploring career options and job possibilities to employers posting jobs and conducting on-campus interviews, we provide help both online and in person.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Employer Engagement, the position will help develop and coordinate employer outreach and engagement strategies to expand recruiting relationships with the University and cultivate relationships with various stakeholders.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Contribute to development of an employer outreach and engagement strategy to expand recruiting relationships with the University and generate opportunities for students to gain professional skills, integrate academic learning with work, and secure internships and jobs.
• Facilitate relationships between employers and the University community, including but not limited to students, faculty/staff, and additional stakeholders.
• Assist in design, coordination, and evaluation of a portfolio of innovative events and recruiting initiatives to address career needs and to connect employers with students and faculty/staff.
• Identify employer needs and recommend recruiting and marketing strategies based on knowledge of student and faculty/staff constituents, campus calendar, and market trends. Assess and provide feedback on effectiveness of efforts.
• Coordinate on-campus recruitment to address needs and resources, employer and student accessibility, and policy/procedure formulation.
• Communicate and uphold best practices, policies, and procedures related to student recruitment in alignment with the code of ethics of the National Association of Colleges and Employers ( NACE ), as well as federal and state legislation.
• Work with Career Development team and University partners (when appropriate) to manage in-person or virtual career fairs and additional events, including day-of-event execution.
• Assist in administration of career management and recruiting platform (e.g., Handshake); help develop strategies to increase active engagement by students and employers; and educate stakeholders on use of platform.
• Collaborate with Career Development team to conceptualize and implement marketing and communication strategies to build stakeholders’ awareness of and engagement in programming initiatives and resources.
• Attend events, visit employer sites, and host organizations on campus for employer development and cultivation purposes.
• Provide individual and group support and programming to educate students on strategies for internship and job searches, evaluation of job offers, and negotiation of salary offers.
• Actively participate in and contribute to student success initiatives and events as identified by departmental and University leadership.
• Develop a successful social media campaign to implement across various social media platforms to engage students and employers with our services.

BENEFITS

SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree earned by start date.
• Minimum of one year of experience working in employer relations, recruitment, human resources, career counseling, workforce development, business marketing/sales, or a closely related field. (Related internship experience will be considered.)
• Effective written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• More than one year of experience working in employer relations, recruitment, human resources, career counseling, workforce development, or business marketing/sales, or related field.
• Experience working with career services in higher education.
• Experience in student recruitment/talent acquisition from a business or higher education perspective.
• Experience utilizing career management and recruiting software technology (e.g., Handshake).

APPLICATION PROCESS

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.

SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

Posting Date

Posting Date 11/06/2026

Closing Date

Closing Date 11/29/2026

Open Until Filled No

First Consideration Date

Advertised Salary

Advertised Salary The salary for this position is commensurate with qualifications, starting at $50,000.

Duration of the Term

Duration of the Term 12 months

Appointment Percent

Appointment Percent 100

Work Hours

In addition to regular workday hours, this position requires the ability and willingness to work some evenings and weekends and shifts longer than eight hours.

Typical Hours Worked Per Week

Appointment Type

Appointment Type Regular

Faculty Status

Faculty Status No

Scope of Search

Scope of Search External (includes Internal)

If internal, define scope of search

This position requires

This position requires Travel, Overnight stays, Valid Drivers License

If other, please indicate

Department Description and Cultural Expectations

SDState is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $94 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawful discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing [e-mail] . Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU , Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: [phone].

Notice to all applicants: If you are selected as a finalist, job references and a background check may be conducted.

South Dakota Board of Regents
306 E. Capital Ave, Suite 200
Pierre, SD 57501
605-773-3455