About the role#
The Associate Director of Employer Partnerships provides leadership for building and managing relationships with employers who offer paid cooperative education opportunities for undergraduate business students. This role is responsible for establishing the co-op program as a talent pipeline for businesses in accounting, finance, and other sectors. You will lead a team to develop account management systems, negotiate agreements, and meet placement goals in a startup environment.
What you'll do#
- Design and implement an employer partnership strategy targeting Chicagoland businesses.
- Cultivate relationships with HR leaders, talent acquisition professionals, and executives through consultative sales.
- Negotiate and execute Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with partners.
- Manage a portfolio of accounts to maximize student engagement, including full-time hiring, project-based learning, and advisory board participation.
- Supervise 2-3 Assistant Directors, providing coaching and performance management.
- Oversee engagement programming such as career fairs, industry showcases, information sessions, and networking events.
- Track key performance indicators including partnership growth, student placements, and employer retention using CRM systems.
- Collaborate with faculty and university leadership to align partnerships with academic goals.
- Gather employer feedback to improve program quality and student readiness.
What you'll need#
- Bachelor's degree and related experience required. A Master's degree in Business Administration, Higher Education, or a related field is preferred.
- At least 6 years of experience in employer relations, sales, recruiting, or business development.
- Minimum 3 years of supervisory experience managing professional staff.
- Proficiency with CRM systems (Salesforce preferred), Handshake, and Microsoft Office.
- Established network within the Chicago business community.
- Experience negotiating contracts or MOUs and launching or scaling internship or co-op programs.
- Strong analytical skills to use data for strategy development.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in an entrepreneurial setting.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in student access to opportunities.
Location & details#
- Location: Chicago, Illinois.
- This is a full-time, on-site role.
- Regular on-campus presence is required, with frequent travel throughout the Chicagoland area for employer meetings and events.
- Evening and weekend hours are required for programming.
About DePaul University
DePaul University is a Catholic institution based in Chicago. It was founded in 1898 and operates 10 colleges and schools across the Loop and Lincoln Park neighborhoods. The university serves more than 20,000 students through over 300 degree programs. It maintains a focus on first-generation students and incorporates service learning into its curriculum.
How to get in at DePaul University
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