Associate Director for Corporate Partner Relations (Student Services Program Manager 2)

JOB SUMMARY

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

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops and executes a comprehensive strategic vision and framework for corporate partner relations aligned with the goals of the Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills and the broader University strategic plan, incorporating Connecticut and national labor market intelligence and first-destination outcomes data to 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 career success.
• 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 employer engagement and student outcomes to guide decision-making and demonstrate institutional impact.
• Provides career coaches and university 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 while collaborating 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 the Corporate 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 on the department’s leadership team, contributing to strategic planning, budget forecasting, resource allocation, and the development of goals and performance metrics aligned with institutional priorities.
• Implements continuous improvement practices and leverages institutional data, technology, and cross-campus partnerships to strengthen employer engagement and advance UConn’s integrated career ecosystem.
• Drives the development and expansion of employer sponsorship opportunities by collaborating with corporate partners and the University Foundation, aligning engagement strategies to support and sustain Career Readiness initiatives.
• Collaborates with marketing and communications to develop and promote a compelling employer value proposition highlighting academic excellence and career-ready student talent.
• Promotes equitable access to employer opportunities by developing partnerships that support underrepresented student populations and expanding inclusive experiential learning models.
• Develops and refines policies and procedures, exercising independent judgment to ensure compliance with institutional, state, and federal employment and partnership guidelines.
• Performs related duties.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree and five years of experience in corporate/employer partner relations, career services, recruiting, human resources, sales, or related field; OR Bachelor's degree and seven years of experience in corporate/employer partner relations, career services, recruiting, human resources, sales, or related 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 related field
• Four years of experience supervising and mentoring professional staff, with demonstrated success in driving performance and professional growth
• Demonstrated experience engaging directly with senior-level executives and hiring managers
• A well-developed understanding of corporate recruiting for student talent at a university, from a human resources and university career services perspective
• Proven experience working with diverse students, programs, and /or constituents
• Demonstrated experience securing financial support or generating revenue
• Demonstrated proficiency in CRM systems or career services management platforms (e.g., 12twenty, Handshake) to manage relationships, engagement activity, and engagement analytics
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Programs, including Teams, Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, to support strategic communication and cross-campus coordination

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 in support of these activities. The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers 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 the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

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

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #499523 to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on April 21st, 2026. 

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at  https://portal.ct.gov/Ethics/Statutes-and-Regulations.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.