Hospitality Industry Relations Lead

Howard University; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 85,000 - 92,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off (PTO) & holidays

Flexible work arrangements

Tuition reimbursement

Career advancement

Job summary

Howard University seeks an Industry Relations Manager within the Marriott – Sorenson Center to steward donor relations, engage students, and foster industry partnerships. This externally facing role includes coordinating programming, advising student organizations, and aligning industry needs with Howard’s hospitality education initiatives.

The position reports to the Executive Director, supervises a Program Coordinator, and requires strong cross‑functional collaboration with faculty, sponsors,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, hospitality, education, or related field.
• Master’s degree in hospitality, higher education, or organizational leadership preferred.
• 5–7 years of demonstrated leadership experience in academic support, talent development, recruitment, or related university/corporate environment.
• Existing relationships with key influencers within hospitality industry and related associations.

Responsibilities

• Advise students on academic and career planning in hospitality and tourism.
• Manage program calendar and scheduling to ensure a cohesive student experience.
• Support industry partnerships, donor relations, and sponsorship engagement.
• Develop and maintain relationships with industry stakeholders; present at conferences.
• Monitor data and KPIs for program impact and reporting.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

English proficiency

Higher education experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Master’s degree in hospitality/education/organizational leadership

Tools

CoStar

HFTP

PCMA

Job description

Howard University seeks an Industry Relations Manager within the Marriott – Sorenson Center to steward donor relations, engage students, and foster industry partnerships. This externally facing role includes coordinating programming, advising student organizations, and aligning industry needs with Howard’s hospitality education initiatives.

The position reports to the Executive Director, supervises a Program Coordinator, and requires strong cross‑functional collaboration with faculty, sponsors,