Associate Director, Employer Engagement at Rice University in Houston, Texas

Job Description:

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice's culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name - RICE - Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary:

The Associate Director, Employer Engagement reports directly to the Director of Employer Engagement within the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice Business. This role is crucial for maintaining and growing relationships with employers, enhancing the visibility of Rice MBA students in the job market, and contributing to strong student employment outcomes.

The associate director strategically cultivates and strengthens corporate relations with and among assigned industries or employer partners, such as Rice Business students, alumni, and faculty to maximize student employment. The associate director develops employer engagement strategies to foster long-term relationships and strategically designs and manages high volume year-round recruiting activities of the CDO. This role also manages a small portfolio of CDO programs and initiatives, including our career exploration treks and employer advisor boards.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate will have three or more years of relevant experience in career services, corporate relations and/or employer development. MBA experience is a plus. They will possess exceptional networking and relationship-building skills, with the ability to create and sustain impactful partnerships. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that employer engagement efforts support and reflect the diverse talent pool of Rice Business.

Workplace Requirements:

Rice Business primarily delivers residential classes and activities taking place almost daily between 7 am and 10 pm. We value a highly collaborative and community-based culture, with expectations to provide in-person support and services to all members of our community. Remote work options are limited. Most employment activities are required to be performed in-person and on-campus. This in-person approach is central to the successful achievement of our research and academic missions.

This position may be offered as a hybrid role and may combine both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Remote work opportunities are possibly extended to the candidate following the successful conclusion of the probationary period

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. During peak recruiting season, this role may be expected to be in person more frequently. Occasional early morning, evening and weekend hours are required, as needed. Occasional business development and conference travel is required.

Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Hiring Range: Minimum salary $65,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree
  
  
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year for year basis may be substituted.
  
  
• 3+ years' experience in higher education, MBA career services or recruiting, or corporate account management
  
  
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted
  
  

Skills:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills; diplomacy skills; excellent interpersonal and organizational skills; independence and initiative; pro-active attitude towards students
• Knowledge of business / hiring / salary trends
• Ability to build and maintain relationships and develop effective outreach initiatives
• Ability to conduct career assessments
• Ability to develop and give presentations
• Ability to lead, manage, and report on projects and initiatives
• Ability to relate effectively with students
• Excellent computer skills to include Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Preferences:

• Master's degree in business, student affairs, human resource management, or a related discipline
• Experience building and managing relationships
• Experience writing business correspondence to multiple audiences
• MBA career services or recruiting

Essential Functions:

Employer Engagement

• Develops and manages employer engagement plans to strategically advance employment opportunities for Rice Business MBA students and alumni.
• Provides a plan for specialized recruiting activities, including deadlines and processes, and supports the development of on-campus recruiting activities (e.g., career connection events)
• Builds and manages relationships with employers and recruiters from assigned industries and employer partners for the recruitment of Rice Business MBA students and alumni.
• Designs and executes workshops and presentations targeting students, faculty, employers, and alumni, thereby enhancing CDO visibility
• Researches and stays informed in national, state and local hiring practices, employment trends and other labor related issues

Program Management

• Enhances vision for career exploration treks for MBA students that advances student learning and employment outcomes.
• Manage and execute career exploration trek program, including itinerary planning, company outreach, logistics coordination, and student engagement.
• Utilizes student interest data to establish industry specific networking opportunities, including panel sessions, career trek opportunities, and career communities.
• Further develops and manages employer advisory board(s) supporting the CDO.

Additional Functions:

• Represents the Career Development Office and Rice Business in a variety of university, community and other networking events, visits to employer sites, and hosting organizations on campus for employer development and cultivation purposes
• Serve as liaison and advisor with identified student clubs to advance student career success and recruiting outcomes.
• Tracks progress and develops new outreach, training, or approaches as needed
• Produces progress reports on program initiatives
• Develops print and online reports and written resources
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University's Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.

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