Hybrid Employer Engagement Strategist

Virginia Commonwealth University; Richmond (VA); Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University is seeking an Employer Development Specialist to join the Student Success unit within VCU Career Services. You will expand employer engagement, post opportunities, and coordinate on-campus career fairs, partnering with academic internships, faculty, and campus units to connect students with internships and jobs.

You’ll steward employer relationships, promote campus recruiting, and support promotional efforts to increase opportunities for students and alumni,

Qualifications

• At least 1 year of experience in recruitment, human resources, higher education, or related field; relevant graduate assistantships and internships will be considered.
• Demonstrated experience developing positive professional relationships and partnerships.
• Ability to organize and effectively manage multiple priorities, programs, and projects; time management skills.
• Effective communication skills (written, oral, presentation), including ability to use diplomacy/tact when engaging with stakeholders.
• Critical thinking, problem-solving, and negotiation skills, as well as the ability to synthesize new information, incorporate, and apply across tasks.
• Ability to use relevant database/tracking/CRM systems (e.g. Handshake, Navigate, Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets).
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and implement outreach to new and prospective employer partners who may have an interest in recruiting and retaining new hires for employment opportunities.
• Steward existing employers through the recruitment lifecycle including in person, electronic, and phone communication in alignment with campus recruiting guidelines, and respond to external party inquiries regarding experiential and employment opportunities that might be a fit for VCU students.
• Orient employer partners to VCU, VCU Career Services, Academic Internships Office, and our Handshake system so they can make informed decisions about engagement and be prepared to effectively post and follow up on employment opportunities, actively promoting on-campus and virtual recruitment of students.
• Collaborate with the Academic Internships Office, to refer employers interested in developing academic internships.
• Collaborate with other campus partners in areas of recruitment and engagement expertise.
• Assist employers in building their presence (brand) on campus, advising them on recruitment strategies and setting expectations about number of student applicants per job posting(s), event participation and student involvement; ensure adequate and creative marketing of employer postings and events.
• Work with employer partners to strengthen recruitment pipelines and identify additional recruitment opportunities, checking in regularly to ensure high-quality services and continued campus engagement.
• Evaluate employer needs and identify corresponding services that may be provided by VCU Career Services and various campus partners.
• Provide outstanding customer service in accordance with team standards to both internal and external customers by considering how actions or plans will affect partners; follow through on responsibilities to partners.
• Serve as department liaison to relevant campus partner offices and faculty groups to increase engagement and partnership in support of students.
• Participate in various campus events involving prospective students, alumni, and families to engage those stakeholders in our services and programs.
• Serve on relevant committees and industry program groups within or representing VCU Career Services, SEMSS, and VCU at large.
• Coordinate and support the execution of major on-campus career fairs, in collaboration with the full Employer and Experiential Development team. This includes, but is not limited to, employer invitations, registration, day-of-fair logistics, and communications regarding career fairs.
• Schedule and engage employers in other campus recruiting efforts including but not limited to information tabling, classroom visits, on-campus interviews.
• Assist employers on the day of their visit with any needs, and follow up with employers after their visit as necessary.
• Provide leadership for and coordinate any specialized student-focused career events related to recruitment, networking, and student and alumni support.
• Collaborate with VCU faculty groups to develop and market events to drive faculty and student engagement.
• Collaborate with VCU Career Services staff, student employees, and other campus units on projects and programs that facilitate student learning and skill development.
• Adhere to principles of professional conduct and ethics as outlined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
• Engage with employer partners to promote equitable pay/wages, fair recruitment and hiring practices, mentoring and management, and professional development.
• Implement, review and enforce employer recruitment policies.
• Providing resources for all those engaged in career advising and recruitment to promote informed and responsible decisionmaking.
• Participate in relevant professional associations at the state, regional, and/or national level to influence fair recruiting and engagement policies and practices.
• Leverage industry association opportunities to expand VCU’s strategic engagement with industry clusters.
• Contribute actively to the development, adaptation, and implementation of the VCU Career Services Strategic Plan through collaboration and project work.
• Perform other duties to support team operations and strategic plan, as assigned.
• Promote effective office, employer, and campus engagement with Handshake in support of student recruitment, retention, networking, and event participation, as well as organizational relationship management and documentation.
• Communicate with employers regarding the use of our online database (Handshake), and provide service as necessary to recruiters with navigating the system, posting opportunities, and managing applicants.
• Support accurate and timely entry of data, troubleshooting, and communications with employers in the Handshake system for each employer/organization engagement, meeting or significant communication exchange.
• Assist with the training of employers on the use of Handshake in a confident manner.

Skills

Communication

Time management

Critical thinking

Problem-solving

Negotiation

Interpersonal skills

Diplomacy

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, education, counseling, or related field

Tools

Handshake

Navigate

Microsoft Excel

Google Sheets

GradLeaders

CSO

Symplicity

SalesForce

PeopleSoft

Job description

Virginia Commonwealth University is seeking an Employer Development Specialist to join the Student Success unit within VCU Career Services. You will expand employer engagement, post opportunities, and coordinate on-campus career fairs, partnering with academic internships, faculty, and campus units to connect students with internships and jobs.

You’ll steward employer relationships, promote campus recruiting, and support promotional efforts to increase opportunities for students and alumni,