Associate Director for Corporate Partner Relations

Associate Director for Corporate Partner Relations (Student Services Program Manager 2) Search #: 499523 Work type:

Full-time Location:

UConn Storrs Categories:

Student Programs and Services

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to a Senior-level manager at the UConn Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills, the Associate Director of Corporate PartnerRelations leads a comprehensive, data-driven employer engagement strategy that advances the mission of the University of Connecticut andaligns with institutional priorities. The role cultivates and expands strategic employer partnerships to strengthen recruitment pipelinesfor students and alumni, leveraging labor market intelligence, first-destination outcomes data, and industry trend analysis to alignengagement with academic programs and workforce needs. As a member of the department's leadership team, the Associate Director supervisescorporate partner relations staff, contributes to strategic planning and performance metrics, and partners with faculty, staff, and theUniversity Foundation to enhance corporate engagement and sponsorship opportunities. The position exercises independent judgment in policydevelopment and compliance, promotes equitable access to employer opportunities, and uses data, technology, and cross-campus collaborationto advance an integrated, career-ready ecosystem.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Develops and executes a comprehensivestrategic vision and framework for corporate partner relations aligned with the goals of the Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills andthe broader University strategic plan, incorporating Connecticut and national labor market intelligence and first-destination outcomes datato align employer engagement with student career trends and workforce needs. Supervises corporate partner relations team,providing leadership, strategic direction, and professional development to advance employer engagement goals and student careersuccess. Leads labor market research, industry analysis, and needs assessments to inform employer outreach, academic alignment,and career development strategies. Develops and disseminates data-driven reports, dashboards, and actionable insights on employerengagement and student outcomes to guide decision-making and demonstrate institutional impact. Provides career coaches anduniversity partners with employer insights and labor market intelligence to strengthen advising and student career preparation Cultivates, manages, and expands strategic employer partnerships to enhance recruitment pipelines for students and alumni whilecollaborating with the experiential learning team to incorporate internship and cooperative education strategy and development. Consults with employers on best practices for establishing and strengthening recruitment programs and serves as chair and coordinator of theCorporate Advisory Council. Partners with faculty and academic leadership to align employer engagement with academic programs,workforce needs, and student career outcomes, strengthening connections between classroom learning and career pathways. Serves onthe department's leadership team, contributing to strategic planning, budget forecasting, resource allocation, and the development of goalsand performance metrics aligned with institutional priorities. Implements continuous improvement practices and leveragesinstitutional data, technology, and cross-campus partnerships to strengthen employer engagement and advance UConn's integrated careerecosystem. Drives the development and expansion of employer sponsorship opportunities by collaborating with corporate partners andthe University Foundation, aligning engagement strategies to support and sustain Career Readiness initiatives. Collaborates withmarketing and communications to develop and promote a compelling employer value proposition highlighting academic excellence andcareer-ready student talent. Promotes equitable access to employer opportunities by developing partnerships that supportunderrepresented student populations and expanding inclusive experiential learning models. Develops and refines policies andprocedures, exercising independent judgment to ensure compliance with institutional, state, and federal employment and partnershipguidelines. Performs related duties.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Master's degree and five years ofexperience in corporate/employer partner relations, career services, recruiting, human resources, sales, or related field; OR Bachelor'sdegree and seven years of experience in corporate/employer partner relations, career services, recruiting, human resources, sales, orrelated field. Supervisory experience over a small unit or overseeing large projects.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Nine years of experience in corporate/employer partner relations, career services, recruiting, human resources, sales, or relatedfield Four years of experience supervising and mentoring professional staff, with demonstrated success in driving performance andprofessional growth Demonstrated experience engaging directly with senior-level executives and hiring managers Awell-developed understanding of corporate recruiting for student talent at a university, from a human resources and university careerservices perspective Proven experience working with diverse students, programs, and /or constituents Demonstratedexperience securing financial support or generating revenue Demonstrated proficiency in CRM systems or career services managementplatforms (e.g., 12twenty, Handshake) to manage relationships, engagement activity, and engagement analytics Proficiency withMicrosoft Office Programs, including Teams, Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, to support strategic communication and cross-campuscoordination

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, permanent position and may include occasional nights and weekends.

The successful candidate will be responsible for building and maintaining external partner relationships to support internships,experiential learning opportunities, and other program initiatives, and must have dependable transportation to occasionally travel insupport of these activities. The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuitionwaivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. For additional information regarding benefits, please visit https://hr.uconn.edu/health-benefits/ and explore the sections under the Benefits & Leaves and Engagement &Learning headers. Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between theUniversity of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OFEMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminalbackground check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs , StaffPositions, Search #499523 to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references. This jobposting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on April 21st, 2026.