Industry Relations Manager

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

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff "for fit" makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission. At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Benefits

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
• Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
• Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match
• Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
• Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

Join Howard University and thrive with us!

https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness

We are seeking an Industry Relations Manager within the Marriott – Sorenson Center at Howard University. This job is external facing with duties related to stewardship, donor relations, student engagement and industry engagement.

Supervisory Authority

The selected incumbent will supervise a Program Coordinator role.

Nature And Scope

Internal contacts include Program Coordinator and Executive Director. External contacts include hospitality leadership, Provost, Deans and department chairs.

Principal Accountabilities

• Confers with students to help them understand and make decisions regarding academic planning, career planning, and personal success in hospitality and tourism related industries
• Manages program calendar and scheduling, ensuring a cohesive and progressive experience for students.
• Industry facing responsibilities including but not limited to student association advisement
• Assist Executive Director with stewardship and donor relations
• Guides the overall direction of the programing, maintaining an awareness of business and educational trends, student and sponsor needs, and Howard University operations.
• Develops professional development opportunities for students through partner, sponsor, faculty and institutional support.
• Maintains contact with industry stakeholders and attends and presents at conferences
• Earns and maintains industry certifications from CoStar, HFTP and PCMA with ability to certify students
• Maintains accurate data for reports and informed decision-making.
• Monitors and analyzes data related to the program, identifying progress toward goals and objectives and implementing necessary program adjustments.
• Collects and organizes key performance indicators for programmatic reporting
• Provides comprehensive student support including direction to appropriate resources for socio emotional well being
• Maintains knowledge on hospitality industry trends and partners with academic leadership to ensure continuity within Center programming
• Develops evaluation criteria to support ongoing research regarding program impact including retention, graduation, professional placement rates and overall academic
• Maintains an ongoing awareness of student successes and needs through regular consultation with students and related faculty, review of student performance, and observation.
• Is proactive in working with academic administrators and students to address student needs and concerns.
• Coordinates early arrival programs to help acclimate and introduce students to college and the program.
• Develops early intervention models for students with identified needs or performance challenges.
• Works with the Office of Admissions to identify potential students for the program.
• Provides consistent support in the implementation of all aspects of Special Programs, including Career Counseling course, Freshman Orientation, and recruitment events.
• Supports fundraising and resource development efforts to ensure program continuity and design.
• Develops and maintains relationships with all relevant colleges and centers for programmatic and recruiting efforts
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Must be able to write and present speeches and write and proofread reports.
• Highly developed and effective interpersonal skills; knowledge of organizational and individual behavior and performance.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with faculty, staff, students, partners, and the community.
• Knowledge of academic environment and instructional methods.
• Knowledge of spreadsheet statistical and relational database software and applications.
• Knowledge of statistical methods and their application to presentation of meaningful reports.
• Knowledge of various CRM platforms and social media
• Ability to use standard computer-based programs associated with college and university academic record keeping in a windows operating system.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and harmonious working relationships with staff, faculty, students, University officials, and the general public.
• Competence in both oral and written English to communicate in a clear and concise manner.
• Experience in higher education with keen insight into HBCUs.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in related field of business, hospitality, education, communication, social science or counseling.
• Master’s degree preferred in related field hospitality and tourism, higher education or organizational leadership
• Five (5) to seven (7) years of demonstrated leadership experience in an academic support, talent development, acquisition, recruitment or a related department within a university or corporate environment.
• Prior hospitality experience in operational capacities.
• Hospitality association experience and or membership
• Existing relationships with key influencers within the hospitality industry
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships

Compliance Salary Range Disclosure

Compensation Range: $85,000 - $92,500