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Employer Engagement Manager

Wayne State University is searching for an experiencedEmployer Engagement Managerat its Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

Essential functions (job duties):

Job Purpose

The Employer Engagement Manager is responsible for developing, managing, and leading all aspects of Career Services’ employer engagement and partnership programming. This role expands opportunities for students by cultivating relationships with employers, industry partners, and community organizations that lead to internships, full-time employment, and other high-impact experiences. The Manager collaborates with academic units, employers, alumni, and external partners to ensure Wayne State University’s College to Career (C2C) initiative effectively connects students to career pathways that support regional talent and workforce development. This position reports to the Director, Career Services.

Essential Functions

+ Employer Outreach & Partnership Strategy: Develop and implement a comprehensive employer engagement strategy to increase access to high-impact career experiences for WSU students. Build and sustain relationships with employers, industry partners, and community organizations to expand internship, employment, and experiential learning opportunities. Identify key industries and organizations aligned with university academic programs and regional workforce needs.

+ Recruitment and Event Management: Plan and manage employer-focused programs, including career fairs, networking events, information sessions, and panels that connect employers and students. Support employers in leveraging Handshake and related platforms to recruit and engage with students. Collaborate with the Student Engagement Manager to coordinate complementary student and employer events that strengthen visibility and participation.

+ Campus Collaboration and Employer Integration: Partner with schools, colleges, and university offices to connect employers to curricular and co-curricular opportunities. Work closely with internal partners such as WSU OPEN, Corporate Relations, Alumni Relations, and the Division of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development offices to align outreach and employer development efforts. Serve as the primary point of contact for employer engagement initiatives that support experiential learning and workforce readiness.

+ Event Management & Facilitation: Plan and manage employer-focused programs, including career fairs, networking events, information sessions, and panels that connect employers and students. Support employers in leveraging Handshake and related platforms to recruit and engage with students. Collaborate with the Student Engagement Manager to coordinate complementary student and employer events that strengthen visibility and participation.

+ Data, Reporting and Continuous Improvement: Track and analyze employer engagement, student hiring outcomes, and partnership growth. Contribute to the development of reports, dashboards, and KPIs related to employer engagement and career-engaged learning. Use data to inform strategy and demonstrate impact aligned with College to Career (C2C) and Student Success 2.0 goals.

+ Marketing and Communication: Collaborate with communications staff to promote employer opportunities, highlight partnerships, and share success stories that elevate Wayne State’s reputation as a talent pipeline. Ensure consistent and inclusive messaging that reflects the diversity of WSU’s student body and employer base.

+ Supervision & Leadership: May functionally supervise student employees, graduate interns, or part-time staff supporting employer engagement activities. Provide training and professional development to ensure team members effectively represent Career Services and the university to external partners.

+ Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education Bachelor's degree

+ Bachelor’s degree in student affairs, higher education administration, marketing, psychology, social work, learning design or a related field from an accredited institution. Master’s degree in higher education, human resources, communications, or related field preferred.

+ Experience Expert (established subject matter expert, 7+ years experience)

Minimum five years of experience in employer relations, career services, workforce development, or recruiting. Demonstrated experience developing partnerships and working collaboratively across diverse teams. Experience using career management or CRM systems (e.g., Handshake, Salesforce) and data-informed approaches to track engagement and outcomes.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

+ Strong relationship-building, communication, and presentation skills.

+ Understanding of workforce trends, recruitment practices, and experiential learning models.

+ Ability to design and implement strategic engagement initiatives that align with institutional goals.

+ Strong understanding of employer outreach and student opportunity development.

+ Proven event planning and project management skills, including organizing outreach efforts, workshops, and campus-wide programs.

+ Ability to lead and supervise student staff in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment.

+ Creative problem-solving and strategic thinking abilities to design and implement high-impact engagement initiatives.

+ Proficiency with digital tools and platforms such as social media, email marketing, and career management systems (e.g., Handshake).

School/College/Division:

H32 - Provost & VP Academic Affairs

Primary department:

H9203 - Placement Services (H9203)

Employment type:

+ Regular Employee

+ Job type: Full Time

+ Job category: Staff/Administrative

Funding/salary information:

+ Compensation type: Annual Salary

+ Hourly rate:

+ Salary minimum:

+ Salary hire maximum:

Working conditions:

- Office Environment. Occasional local travel required.

Job openings:

+ Number of openings: 1

+ Reposted position: No

+ Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)

+ Prior posting/requisition number:

Background check requirements:

University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.

The university welcomes applications from persons with disabilities and veterans. Wayne State is an equal opportunity employer.