Otis College of Art and Design
Associate Director of Employer Relations and Alumni Engagement
Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90079
Associate Director of Employer Relations and Alumni Engagement
We are searching for an experienced Associate Director of Employer Relations and Alumni Engagement at our Goldsmith Campus - Westchester campus.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the guidance of the Executive Director of Career Services, the Associate Director for Employer Relations and Alumni Engagement plays a key leadership role in implementing strategies to cultivate and sustain relationships with employers, alumni, and industry partners to support internship and career opportunities for students and recent graduates. This position also directly advises students-particularly those in creative fields-on internships, career planning, and professional development.
Working at the intersection of career development, experiential learning, and external partnerships, the Associate Director serves as a connector between the college's talented art and design students and a dynamic network of creative industries, alumni professionals, and hiring organizations. This role serves as the primary liaison that cultivates new and existing employer relationships, using relationship-building and sales/marketing strategies to secure engagement opportunities with organizations in relevant art/design industries and job functions. This position collaborates with Institutional Advancement and academic chairs and faculty to align corporate and employer outreach strategies with institutional goals, and to increase student access to employment opportunities through various methods including classroom visits.
The Associate Director supports students in securing meaningful experiential learning opportunities outside of the college while ensuring students are professionally prepared for on-campus recruitment events such as Internship and Recruitment Day (IRD) and Annual Exhibition (O-Launch). This position oversees the administration of internships, ensures program compliance with institutional, federal, and international standards, and advises students and alumni regarding career issues and strategies, job search methods, resume/portfolio preparation, internships, employment, and career related matters. In addition, this position leads the design, implementation, and collection of departmental, divisional, and college wide student engagement and employment data in alignment with departmental strategy.
CORE DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES :
Employer Relations (50%)
•Develops and executes Career Services' employer relations strategy tailored to the various majors.
•Establishes and deepens appropriate network of professional relationships with employers in the art and design sectors, including animation, game & entertainment design, fine arts, fashion, graphic design, illustration, product design, toy design, advertising/marketing, galleries, museums, education, and other creative industries.
•Applies sales/marketing strategies to employer outreach and relationship management, including prospecting, cold calling, pitching, relationship nurturing, and closing partnership opportunities by engaging employers and providing opportunities for recruiters to connect with the Otis campus
community on an on-going basis throughout the academic year. Tracks employer outreach and engagement efforts in CRM.
•Primary contact to proactively identify, cultivate, and build new and existing employer relationships with local, regional, and international organizations, managing the employer engagement pipeline.
•Develops and manages strategic relationships with employers and alumni across creative sectors including design, fine arts, digital media, fashion, film, and emerging technologies.
•Coordinates employer outreach and engagement initiatives, including recruiting events, industry panels, studio tours, and networking programs.
•Builds and maintains a robust database of employer and alumni contacts; track engagement using CRM or career management platforms (e.g., Handshake, Salesforce).
•Collaborates with Institutional Advancement, Alumni Relations, and academic chairs to create and build external partnerships and align internship and employment opportunities with academic goals and industry standards.
•Attends receptions, conferences, panels, fairs, and/or professional meetings and organizations to stay current on career and employment trends and emerging career opportunities. Serves on College committees as a representative of the department and to provide insights and information about services provided. Participates in general Career Services programs as needed.
Internship Management & Alumni Engagement (25%)
•Develops and increases the number of internships/apprenticeships, freelance, part-time, and full-time opportunities available to students in creative art/design sectors.
•Partners with Advancement to align alumni engagement efforts with career development goals.
•Leads development, planning, promotion, and execution of alumni resources, workshops, presentations, and curriculum support for career programming. Design discipline-specific resources, programming, and events based on needs of alumni, tailoring specific topic-based programs for where alumni are within their career journey.
•Advises and counsels students and primarily alumni, on an individual and group basis, regarding internship and job searches, application materials and preparation of resumes, cover letters, portfolios, interviews, networking techniques, salary negotiation, and other related professional development matters. Remains knowledgeable about career options and the current employment climate.
•Develops and administers a comprehensive, strategic internship/apprenticeship program including policy creation, procedures, academic coordination, student preparation, and tracking of internship outcomes.
•Oversees the internship placement process for students, ensuring placements are aligned with academic requirements and professional goals.
•Advises students one-on-one and in group settings on securing internships, career exploration, rsum/portfolio development, interview preparation, and networking.
•Manages, maintains, reviews, and updates the internship and job listings on the College's online student job board. Provides guidance to employers on utilizing the recruitment platform and serves as primary point of contact for employer questions. Ensures legal compliance with labor and immigration laws in internship/apprenticeship and employment postings.
•Ensures compliance with college policies and labor regulations related to internships (including credit-bearing internships and unpaid work experiences).
•Supports the integration of internship and career development content into classroom/studio and workshop settings.
•Collaborates with Career Services staff and student employees to design and publish information material to promote internship and job opportunities including but not limited to: email campaigns, social media posts, posters, and digital handouts and flyers to engage students, alumni, external employers, recruiters, and other contacts regarding opportunities, resources, programs, and the creative industries.
•Supports efforts to engage FWS off-campus partners as a relationship manager and point of contact for program compliance and issues/questions.
•Works closely with the institution's primary designated school official (PDSO) to ensure paperwork is completed and approved before students start working, including all required paperwork for international students (i.e., CPT and OPT paperwork, SSN, etc.) Reviews internships and jobs to make sure they are in compliance with immigration laws and the U.S. Department of Labor guidelines.
Program Development & Administration (20%)
•Co-leads and facilitates student programs specific to skills development, internship and job search processes, interview techniques, resume preparation, and professional-development oriented programs.
•Contributes to the design and delivery of workshops, professional development programs, and career fairs.
•Represents the college at regional and national career development, alumni, and employer engagement events as needed.
•Develops, promotes, executes, and hosts or moderates special events and programs including but not limited to: company information sessions, site visits, interviews, industry-specific events, panels, and alumni speakers. Programs may take place in the classroom or academic space, working as a bridge between academic departments and Student Affairs.
•Leads the planning and execution of large-scale events such as annual career fairs including Internship and Recruitment Day and O-Launch Annual Exhibition.
•Manages, maintains, optimizes, and troubleshoots new technology that best support and serve employers, students and alumni, including our career services management platform, Handshake, and CRM tools such as Salesforce.
•Facilitates and leads the process of importing student data from our student information system, Banner, through automated sync, as well as manual imports as needed, and providing training and support for staff and students in the use of career-related technology tools.
•May teach academic courses and grade assignments related to internships/apprenticeships, research methodologies, application processes, and professional practices including resume and cover letter writing and interviewing skill development.
•Oversees the invoicing and billing of employers for recruitment events, activities, and sponsorships.
•Creates, audits, and regularly updates employer-facing communications including webpages, direct emails, announcements, recruiting newsletter, social media marketing such as LinkedIn, and event collateral, etc.
•Supports student employee hiring, training, supervision, and performance feedback in collaboration with the Assistant Director, Career Education and Assistant Director, Student Employment. Provides guidance and/or feedback on work assignments and checks the quality of work.
•In the absence of the Executive Director, represents the department and fulfills select ED duties as needed.
•Must be responsive to work-related phone calls and emails during non-business hours on occasion.
•Performs other related duties as assigned.
Assessment (5%)
•Leads assessment and annual reporting on internship participation, employer feedback, and student outcomes.
•Conducts program and event assessments, qualitative and quantitative, for continuous improvement.
•Assesses program effectiveness and uses data to inform strategy and continuous improvement.
•Conducts evaluations and in-person site visits to assess internship effectiveness and address student or employer concerns. Troubleshoots problems and counsel's student interns and alumni who are not doing well or are struggling with some aspects of their internship experience.
•Analyzes employment trends, industry data, student outcomes, surveys, and evaluation feedback from employers, student interns, and other key stakeholders to inform career development strategy. Recommends and implements modifications with supervisors as necessary to ensure ongoing support to student interns, employers, campus personnel, and other key stakeholders.
•Assists heavily in the completion and delivery of the office's annual report and campus wide presentations of findings to Senior Team, Academic Affairs Leaders and Chairs, and the Division of Student Affairs.
•Responsible for managing the departments' employment outcome surveys, first destination surveys, and all employment and internship/apprenticeship data collection, evaluation, and reporting.
•Develops and updates databases and records for tracking internship/apprenticeship data including opportunities, contacts, and outcomes, and prepares regular status update reports.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience is required. A combination of education plus a minimum of four years full-time experience coordinating employer engagement efforts, an internship program, or co-op program in a college or university with proven record of progressively more responsible roles may substitute for Master's degree. Exceptional verbal and written skills, highly effective public speaking and presentation skills, excellent organization, and the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment. Individual must be able to demonstrate ability to apply relationship-building techniques to employer outreach, understand and apply career development theory, and always demonstrate diplomacy and professionalism. Must be able to work occasional evenings and/or weekends; must be able to travel for conferences, events, and professional development based on business necessity.
Proficiency with career platforms (e.g., Handshake), CRM tools (e.g. Salesforce), and event management systems.
PREFERRED SKILLS and EXPERIENCE:
Master's degree in Student Affairs, Higher Education, Business/Human Resources, or a related field is preferred. 4-7 years' experience in employer relations, corporate partnerships, recruiting, or sales/marketing particularly within creative industries such as advertising, design, fine arts, or media. Familiarity with CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce) and Career Services Management systems (e.g., Handshake, Symplicity, or 12Twenty) is preferred. Experience working in an art/design/creative college or company is a plus. Experience in career counseling, career services, talent acquisition, and/or advisement is a plus.
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Compensation Type:
Annual Salary
Salary Range:
74,339.00 - 86,146.00
Our company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.
We are searching for an experienced Associate Director of Employer Relations and Alumni Engagement at our Goldsmith Campus - Westchester campus.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the guidance of the Executive Director of Career Services, the Associate Director for Employer Relations and Alumni Engagement plays a key leadership role in implementing strategies to cultivate and sustain relationships with employers, alumni, and industry partners to support internship and career opportunities for students and recent graduates. This position also directly advises students-particularly those in creative fields-on internships, career planning, and professional development.
Working at the intersection of career development, experiential learning, and external partnerships, the Associate Director serves as a connector between the college's talented art and design students and a dynamic network of creative industries, alumni professionals, and hiring organizations. This role serves as the primary liaison that cultivates new and existing employer relationships, using relationship-building and sales/marketing strategies to secure engagement opportunities with organizations in relevant art/design industries and job functions. This position collaborates with Institutional Advancement and academic chairs and faculty to align corporate and employer outreach strategies with institutional goals, and to increase student access to employment opportunities through various methods including classroom visits.
The Associate Director supports students in securing meaningful experiential learning opportunities outside of the college while ensuring students are professionally prepared for on-campus recruitment events such as Internship and Recruitment Day (IRD) and Annual Exhibition (O-Launch). This position oversees the administration of internships, ensures program compliance with institutional, federal, and international standards, and advises students and alumni regarding career issues and strategies, job search methods, resume/portfolio preparation, internships, employment, and career related matters. In addition, this position leads the design, implementation, and collection of departmental, divisional, and college wide student engagement and employment data in alignment with departmental strategy.
CORE DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES :
Employer Relations (50%)
•Develops and executes Career Services' employer relations strategy tailored to the various majors.
•Establishes and deepens appropriate network of professional relationships with employers in the art and design sectors, including animation, game & entertainment design, fine arts, fashion, graphic design, illustration, product design, toy design, advertising/marketing, galleries, museums, education, and other creative industries.
•Applies sales/marketing strategies to employer outreach and relationship management, including prospecting, cold calling, pitching, relationship nurturing, and closing partnership opportunities by engaging employers and providing opportunities for recruiters to connect with the Otis campus
community on an on-going basis throughout the academic year. Tracks employer outreach and engagement efforts in CRM.
•Primary contact to proactively identify, cultivate, and build new and existing employer relationships with local, regional, and international organizations, managing the employer engagement pipeline.
•Develops and manages strategic relationships with employers and alumni across creative sectors including design, fine arts, digital media, fashion, film, and emerging technologies.
•Coordinates employer outreach and engagement initiatives, including recruiting events, industry panels, studio tours, and networking programs.
•Builds and maintains a robust database of employer and alumni contacts; track engagement using CRM or career management platforms (e.g., Handshake, Salesforce).
•Collaborates with Institutional Advancement, Alumni Relations, and academic chairs to create and build external partnerships and align internship and employment opportunities with academic goals and industry standards.
•Attends receptions, conferences, panels, fairs, and/or professional meetings and organizations to stay current on career and employment trends and emerging career opportunities. Serves on College committees as a representative of the department and to provide insights and information about services provided. Participates in general Career Services programs as needed.
Internship Management & Alumni Engagement (25%)
•Develops and increases the number of internships/apprenticeships, freelance, part-time, and full-time opportunities available to students in creative art/design sectors.
•Partners with Advancement to align alumni engagement efforts with career development goals.
•Leads development, planning, promotion, and execution of alumni resources, workshops, presentations, and curriculum support for career programming. Design discipline-specific resources, programming, and events based on needs of alumni, tailoring specific topic-based programs for where alumni are within their career journey.
•Advises and counsels students and primarily alumni, on an individual and group basis, regarding internship and job searches, application materials and preparation of resumes, cover letters, portfolios, interviews, networking techniques, salary negotiation, and other related professional development matters. Remains knowledgeable about career options and the current employment climate.
•Develops and administers a comprehensive, strategic internship/apprenticeship program including policy creation, procedures, academic coordination, student preparation, and tracking of internship outcomes.
•Oversees the internship placement process for students, ensuring placements are aligned with academic requirements and professional goals.
•Advises students one-on-one and in group settings on securing internships, career exploration, rsum/portfolio development, interview preparation, and networking.
•Manages, maintains, reviews, and updates the internship and job listings on the College's online student job board. Provides guidance to employers on utilizing the recruitment platform and serves as primary point of contact for employer questions. Ensures legal compliance with labor and immigration laws in internship/apprenticeship and employment postings.
•Ensures compliance with college policies and labor regulations related to internships (including credit-bearing internships and unpaid work experiences).
•Supports the integration of internship and career development content into classroom/studio and workshop settings.
•Collaborates with Career Services staff and student employees to design and publish information material to promote internship and job opportunities including but not limited to: email campaigns, social media posts, posters, and digital handouts and flyers to engage students, alumni, external employers, recruiters, and other contacts regarding opportunities, resources, programs, and the creative industries.
•Supports efforts to engage FWS off-campus partners as a relationship manager and point of contact for program compliance and issues/questions.
•Works closely with the institution's primary designated school official (PDSO) to ensure paperwork is completed and approved before students start working, including all required paperwork for international students (i.e., CPT and OPT paperwork, SSN, etc.) Reviews internships and jobs to make sure they are in compliance with immigration laws and the U.S. Department of Labor guidelines.
Program Development & Administration (20%)
•Co-leads and facilitates student programs specific to skills development, internship and job search processes, interview techniques, resume preparation, and professional-development oriented programs.
•Contributes to the design and delivery of workshops, professional development programs, and career fairs.
•Represents the college at regional and national career development, alumni, and employer engagement events as needed.
•Develops, promotes, executes, and hosts or moderates special events and programs including but not limited to: company information sessions, site visits, interviews, industry-specific events, panels, and alumni speakers. Programs may take place in the classroom or academic space, working as a bridge between academic departments and Student Affairs.
•Leads the planning and execution of large-scale events such as annual career fairs including Internship and Recruitment Day and O-Launch Annual Exhibition.
•Manages, maintains, optimizes, and troubleshoots new technology that best support and serve employers, students and alumni, including our career services management platform, Handshake, and CRM tools such as Salesforce.
•Facilitates and leads the process of importing student data from our student information system, Banner, through automated sync, as well as manual imports as needed, and providing training and support for staff and students in the use of career-related technology tools.
•May teach academic courses and grade assignments related to internships/apprenticeships, research methodologies, application processes, and professional practices including resume and cover letter writing and interviewing skill development.
•Oversees the invoicing and billing of employers for recruitment events, activities, and sponsorships.
•Creates, audits, and regularly updates employer-facing communications including webpages, direct emails, announcements, recruiting newsletter, social media marketing such as LinkedIn, and event collateral, etc.
•Supports student employee hiring, training, supervision, and performance feedback in collaboration with the Assistant Director, Career Education and Assistant Director, Student Employment. Provides guidance and/or feedback on work assignments and checks the quality of work.
•In the absence of the Executive Director, represents the department and fulfills select ED duties as needed.
•Must be responsive to work-related phone calls and emails during non-business hours on occasion.
•Performs other related duties as assigned.
Assessment (5%)
•Leads assessment and annual reporting on internship participation, employer feedback, and student outcomes.
•Conducts program and event assessments, qualitative and quantitative, for continuous improvement.
•Assesses program effectiveness and uses data to inform strategy and continuous improvement.
•Conducts evaluations and in-person site visits to assess internship effectiveness and address student or employer concerns. Troubleshoots problems and counsel's student interns and alumni who are not doing well or are struggling with some aspects of their internship experience.
•Analyzes employment trends, industry data, student outcomes, surveys, and evaluation feedback from employers, student interns, and other key stakeholders to inform career development strategy. Recommends and implements modifications with supervisors as necessary to ensure ongoing support to student interns, employers, campus personnel, and other key stakeholders.
•Assists heavily in the completion and delivery of the office's annual report and campus wide presentations of findings to Senior Team, Academic Affairs Leaders and Chairs, and the Division of Student Affairs.
•Responsible for managing the departments' employment outcome surveys, first destination surveys, and all employment and internship/apprenticeship data collection, evaluation, and reporting.
•Develops and updates databases and records for tracking internship/apprenticeship data including opportunities, contacts, and outcomes, and prepares regular status update reports.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience is required. A combination of education plus a minimum of four years full-time experience coordinating employer engagement efforts, an internship program, or co-op program in a college or university with proven record of progressively more responsible roles may substitute for Master's degree. Exceptional verbal and written skills, highly effective public speaking and presentation skills, excellent organization, and the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment. Individual must be able to demonstrate ability to apply relationship-building techniques to employer outreach, understand and apply career development theory, and always demonstrate diplomacy and professionalism. Must be able to work occasional evenings and/or weekends; must be able to travel for conferences, events, and professional development based on business necessity.
Proficiency with career platforms (e.g., Handshake), CRM tools (e.g. Salesforce), and event management systems.
PREFERRED SKILLS and EXPERIENCE:
Master's degree in Student Affairs, Higher Education, Business/Human Resources, or a related field is preferred. 4-7 years' experience in employer relations, corporate partnerships, recruiting, or sales/marketing particularly within creative industries such as advertising, design, fine arts, or media. Familiarity with CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce) and Career Services Management systems (e.g., Handshake, Symplicity, or 12Twenty) is preferred. Experience working in an art/design/creative college or company is a plus. Experience in career counseling, career services, talent acquisition, and/or advisement is a plus.
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Compensation Type:
Annual Salary
Salary Range:
74,339.00 - 86,146.00
Our company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.