Associate Director of Employer Engagement

The University of Notre Dame is more than a workplace! We are a vibrant, mission-driven community where every employee is valued and supported. Rooted in a tradition of excellence and inspired by our Catholic character, Notre Dame is committed to fostering an environment of care that nurtures the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Here, you will find a deep sense of belonging, a culture that prioritizes well-being, and the opportunity to grow your career while being a force for good in the world. Whether contributing to world-class research, shaping the student experience, or supporting the University’s mission in other ways, you will be part of a dedicated team working to make a meaningful impact on campus and beyond. At Notre Dame, your work matters, and so do you!

The Associate Director serves as a senior-level strategic leader responsible for advancing high-impact employer relationships that expand career outcomes for and Specialized Master’s students. This role requires significant professional experience, demonstrated leadership capability, and the ability to operate with autonomy in complex, fast-paced environments.

The Associate Director will lead corporate partnership strategy, provide market intelligence insights, and shape employer-facing brand positioning. This individual plays a key role in strategic planning, program development, and cross-functional collaboration, while also mentoring colleagues and contributing to long-term organizational direction.

This position is designed for a high-performing professional ready to contribute at a strategic level and positioned for future management and leadership opportunities.

Key Responsibilities: Employer Relationship Strategy & Corporate Partnerships (70%)

• Serve as the primary relationship lead for employers and recruiters across multiple industries.
• Independently design and execute strategies to grow, strengthen, and sustain high-impact corporate partnerships.
• Identify, prioritize, and cultivate new employer relationships aligned with student career goals and market demand.
• Develop and implement long-term stewardship and employer development plans with minimal oversight.
• Partner closely with SM Career Coaches and academic leaders to co-design integrated employer engagement strategies that improve placement outcomes.
• Represent Mendoza externally at industry events, corporate meetings, and high-level employer/alumni engagements.
• Drive expansion and deepening of target employer relationships across priority sectors.

Market Intelligence, Data & Systems Leadership (20%)

• Lead data collection and market analysis to provide actionable insight into hiring trends, competitive benchmarks, and industry shifts.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for internal stakeholders on employer expectations, hiring cycles, and evolving market dynamics.
• Develop and oversee systems for tracking employer engagement using CRM and survey platforms.
• Translate data into strategic recommendations that inform employer engagement planning and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to long-range planning through data-informed forecasting and sector analysis.

Marketing & Brand Positioning (10%)
• Lead development and refinement of employer-facing marketing strategies aligned to SM program pathways.
• Oversee digital engagement campaigns across LinkedIn, IrishCompass, and website platforms to ensure strategic consistency.
• Analyze branding and communication effectiveness using performance metrics and market insight.
• Collaborate with marketing and advancement teams to elevate Mendoza’s visibility and positioning across industries.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of progressive experience
• Master’s degree (highly preferred)
• Advanced certification beyond Bachelor’s degree considered

Required Experience:

The Associate Director is a seasoned professional who brings significant experience, strategic judgment, and demonstrated leadership capability. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, this individual leverages data and market insight to shape strategy, cultivate high-impact partnerships, influence cross-functional alignment, and contribute to mentoring, systems improvement, and long-term organizational growth.

• 7+ years of progressive professional experience in employer engagement, corporate partnerships, talent strategy, business development, or a related field.

Demonstrated success building, growing, and stewarding high-level external relationships.
• Experience developing and executing strategy with measurable outcomes.
• Proven ability to use data, market research, and CRM systems to inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement.
• Experience collaborating across teams to align goals and deliver integrated initiatives.

Compensation: Up to $95,000, commensurate with experience.

This position will be accepting applications until March 13, 2026.

The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). We strongly encourage applications from candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.