Job Description

Job Summary

The Associate Director for Employer Relations and Alumni Engagement serves as a key leader within the Career Services team, supporting students and alumni—particularly in creative fields—through employer engagement, internship development, alumni programming, and professional advising. This role connects Otis College students with external partners, including employers and alumni, to expand career opportunities, manage internship programming, and support employment outcomes. Reporting to the Executive Director of Career Services, the Associate Director uses sales, relationship-building, and strategic planning to enhance career access across art and design industries.

Core Responsibilities

Employer Relations (50%)

• Leads the development and execution of employer outreach strategies tailored to specific majors and creative industries (e.g., animation, game design, fashion, fine arts).
• Applies marketing and sales techniques (e.g., cold calling, prospecting, pitching) to build and maintain employer relationships locally and globally.
• Serves as the primary liaison for employers and recruiters, coordinating recruitment events, studio visits, panels, and classroom engagement opportunities.
• Tracks engagement using CRM and career management platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Handshake).
• Collaborates with Institutional Advancement, faculty, and alumni to align outreach efforts with academic and institutional goals.
• Represents Career Services at industry events and on college committees.

Internship Management & Alumni Engagement (25%)

• Develops and administers the college’s internship and apprenticeship program, including compliance with labor and immigration laws (e.g., CPT, OPT).
• Supports students and alumni in career development, job searches, portfolio/resume preparation, and interview skills.
• Works with Advancement to develop alumni-focused programming and tailor career events and resources based on alumni needs.
• Ensures legal and academic compliance in internships and job postings.
• Manages job board listings and helps employers navigate recruitment platforms.
• Oversees communication materials promoting opportunities and supports international student paperwork coordination.

Program Development & Administration (20%)

• Designs and leads student-facing professional development programming, including interview training, resume writing, and career readiness.
• Plans and executes large-scale events such as Internship and Recruitment Day (IRD) and Annual Exhibition (O-Launch) .
• Manages technologies (e.g., Handshake, CRM), facilitates data imports from Banner, and provides training and support on career-related platforms.
• May teach career-readiness courses or workshops.
• Oversees billing, invoicing, and employer sponsorships.
• Supervises student workers in collaboration with other staff and assists with their training and performance evaluation.
• Assumes Executive Director duties as needed in their absence.

Assessment (5%)

• Leads data collection and reporting related to internships, student engagement, and employment outcomes (e.g., First Destination Survey).
• Conducts program evaluations, employer feedback, and site visits to ensure quality and alignment with goals.
• Uses data insights to guide strategic decisions, improve programming, and inform institutional reporting and presentations.
• Manages the development and maintenance of internship databases and prepares regular updates on student and employer engagement.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 4 years’ full-time experience in employer relations, internships, or co-op program coordination within higher education.
• Excellent communication, organizational, public speaking, and relationship-building skills.
• Must understand career development theory and demonstrate professionalism and diplomacy.
• Availability for occasional evening/weekend work and travel.
• Proficiency with platforms such as Handshake, Salesforce (CRM), and event management tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Higher Ed, Student Affairs, Business, HR, or related field.
• 4–7 years’ experience in employer relations, recruiting, or sales—preferably in creative sectors like design, media, or arts.
• Familiarity with systems such as Symplicity or 12Twenty.
• Background in art/design colleges or creative companies.
• Experience in career counseling, advisement, or talent acquisition.

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