Employer Engagement Strategist

1. Strategic Planning: In collaboration with department leadership and other stakeholders such as college/program career center leadership, develop and execute a strategic vision for employer engagement locally, regionally, and nationally. Establish, execute, and assess progress against goals, timelines, and metrics. Identify priority industry sectors based on labor market trends and U of A programs of study; assess current gaps in engagement and develop plans to close those gaps. Develop strategies to connect employers to students; monitor, assess, and report on engagement effectiveness to address gaps and drive continuous improvement. Partner closely with department professionals overseeing early talent connections, experiential learning programs, and career events. Support workforce development partnerships where appropriate, connecting employers to curricular, research, and co-curricular offerings. Develop and nurture a deep understanding of Tucson, Pima County, state of Arizona, and national workforce ecosystems and labor market trends. 2. Employer Relationship Development: Establish and nurture employer partnerships to generate sponsorships, internship, experiential learning, mentorship, and full-time recruitment opportunities for U of A students, and to drive career event attendance. Scale and support the Wildcat Career Alliance (sponsorship) program to generate revenue for the department and build strategic relationships with employer partners interested in large scale hiring and/or brand enhancement at the university. Conduct regular follow up and strategy conversations with Wildcat Career Alliance members, facilitate semi-annual employer focus groups, and track sponsorship benefit usage. Work in partnership with Alumni Engagement at the University of Arizona Foundation to develop and grow an alumni network interested in mentoring students and/or participating in career events. Participate in local, regional and national professional organizations to build market presence. 3. Campus and Community Relationship Building: Build nurture, and/or maintain relationships with colleges, programs, and academic departments to advance employer engagement and workforce development. Serve as a coordinating point for employers whose recruiting needs span multiple colleges, ensuring a unified, "One U of A" approach. Collaborate with Alumni Engagement and university colleagues (e.g., Office of Research and Partnerships, Office of Undergraduate Research) to present a unified U of A presence to organizations around talent acquisition and workforce development. Serve as a knowledgeable resource for faculty and staff on the regional and national employer base and campus recruiting trends. 4. Communication, Reporting, and Representation: Communicate effectively via phone, email, presentations, and in-person meetings with employers regarding engagement opportunities and U of A partnership options. Track and report employer engagements using university systems (e.g., Handshake, Trellis). Contribute content to departmental employer-facing publications and materials. Represent the Center for Career Readiness and the University of Arizona to external organizations, professional associations, and community groups as appropriate. May represent the university to employers seeking to expand operations into Arizona. 5. Administration Collaboration: Represent the Department on university committees and at conferences as needed and assigned. Participate in at least 2-3 webinars or other professional development opportunities annually and share learning with the team, by request or at the direction of department leadership. Perform related duties as assigned or required to meet department and university goals and objectives. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of Handshake or other career services management software. Working knowledge of on-campus recruiting processes and a foundational understanding of the current trends influencing recruitment of college students. Strong relationship building and business development skills. Understanding of the decentralized career ecosystem at the University of Arizona. Understanding of the local, regional, and national labor market and the impact of events on economic conditions. Ability to exercise independent judgment and take initiative independent of direct daily supervision. Proven and effective oral and written communication skills. Ability to translate data and trends to stakeholders and into actionable strategies. Technological savvy and willing to utilize systems to perform and track work.