Associate Director, Industry Relations

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Industry Relations reports to the Executive Director of Career Services and provides leadership in the following areas:

Industry Relations Programming: This role implements and manages a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) strategy to create new and existing partnerships to generate revenue while strengthening and expanding industry relationships to support student growth, retention, and development. The incumbent will also create new ways to engage industry partners and will explore services that expand beyond recruiting/hiring. This role is responsible for the development of work opportunities that may include regular employment, temporary employment, seasonal jobs, internships, externships, apprenticeships, fellowships, co-ops, service learning, volunteer opportunities, gigs/contract opportunities, and class projects. Industry partners are to be engaged in an intentional and strategic manner that integrates real-world experiences into the academic activities to support student success. 

Internal and External Partnerships: This role oversees and supports the development, maintenance, and enhancement of internal and external partnerships that will include campus and community stakeholders. This role and its subordinates will solicit collaboration across academic and non-academic departments and divisions and will source external relationships that support and align with education, workforce and economic development activities and priorities. 

Communications, Marketing, & Outreach: This role oversees the development, design, and implementation of the dept's overall marketing/communications strategies. Efforts include strategies that target student/alumni engagement, campus partner engagement, and industry/community engagement. The incumbent will serve as a lead for departmental branding and communications and will serve as a key spokesperson on relevant areas of expertise. 

Management, Staff Relations, Administration & Outcomes: This role oversees a team of skilled professionals and is responsible for ensuring their retention, and ability to succeed in their roles through adequate professional development, necessary tools, and positive employee relations and management. The team may include professional staff, student workers/interns, temporary employees, independent contractors, and volunteers. This role will work with the team and other department stakeholders to help identify, track, and communicate department goals and outcomes. This role will reinforce and adopt the New Public Management model on a departmental level to support innovation, and creativity while ensuring the obtainment of key outcomes/goals. 

The Associate Director of Industry Relations is as part of the leadership team that keeps Career Services connected and responsive to campus and community organizations and partners. This role helps keep Career Services current and relevant by identifying changes in the economy that impact career development and employment outcomes. The incumbent will assist in the development of organizational policies and procedures, goals and objectives, and strategic planning. This role will lead and/or support internal and external contracting functions, lead program operations, and coordinate budget planning.

The ideal candidate will possess strong networking, business development, and leadership skills who understands how to develop and leverage relationships to support students/alumni, and industry partners. They will be well-versed in business etiquette and is comfortable working with campus and community leaders and influencers. They understand the needs of small businesses/start-ups, medium companies, and large global corporations. The ideal candidate challenges the status quo, embraces innovation and technology, and is open to exploring new approaches and models to meeting department and institutional priorities. 

Travel is a routine part of this role and weekend/evening work may be required as needed.

Department Summary

Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity facilitates the academic and career success, personal growth, and well-being of all students, and works proactively to address systemic inequities through professional learning, community building, advocacy, policy recommendations and organizational structures, while facilitating an integrated vision and shared responsibility for prioritizing and advancing institutional goals. We aim to foster an affirming campus culture based on the core values of excellence, equity, diversity, belonging and inclusion through: 

• Recruiting and retaining faculty and staff who are reflective of the diverse student body and communities served by SDSU, and recruiting students who are representative of the rich diversity of the region and the world;
• Fostering an environment that is welcoming, affirming, and empowering for students, faculty, staff, and alumni of all backgrounds;
• Enhancing the career and educational pathways of a diverse student body, the faculty, and staff, including enhancing the learning environment and expanding learning opportunities for all students inside and outside the classroom, and expanding and connecting opportunities for students to participate in transformational experiences;
• Developing leaders who believe in and lead others toward supporting civility, mutual respect and diversity in our society and workplaces; and
• Cultivating relationships with the local community that advance the well-being of diverse individuals and communities.

Career Services serves students by supporting their career development journey through career exploration, professional development, employment preparation, experiential learning, and Industry engagement and employment outcomes.

Career Services industry partners by supporting their talent acquisition and business needs through workforce development planning and consulting, professional development, direct services, and resources to support talent acquisition.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Five years of related experience that demonstrates the ability to manage staff and lead university recruitment, employer services, industry relations, and campus planning

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with staffing/recruiting practices 
• Experience in fund development within higher education or non-profit environment
• Experience in business development, revenue generation, and sales

Compensation and Benefits

San Diego State University will offer a competitive salary based on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. San Diego State University also offers a rich benefits package that includes:

• Extensive Leave benefits: 14 paid holidays, 24 vacation days, and 12 sick days per year;
• Retirement security through a CalPERS defined benefit pension (with CalPERS and UC Retirement Plan reciprocity) and retiree healthcare benefits;
• An array of health, dental, and vision coverage at no-cost or low-cost to the employee; and
• California State University system fee reduction program (fee waiver) for the employee or their qualified dependent

Anticipated hiring range:  $80,000 -$85,000 annually

Diversity and Community at SDSU

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community. 

Through our commitment to equity and inclusion, we encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement.

Principles of Community

For more information, click here.

Supplemental Information

Initial review of the required application materials, including cover letters and resumes, will begin on February 24, 2023. To receive full consideration, apply by February 23, 2023. The position will remain open until filled.

CSU Vaccine Policy: The California State University has established a policy requiring faculty, staff, and students accessing campus facilities to be immunized against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. To access the SDSU campus, you must be fully up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations, including a booster if you are eligible for one, or request a medical, religious, or off campus exemption, as applicable. 

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. 

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. 

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here.

SDSU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy, medical condition, or covered veteran status.

CSU welcomes candidates of all physical abilities to apply for positions. We provide reasonable accommodations to all applicants and invite applicants with questions, concerns, or needs during any part of the application or hiring process to contact Casie Martinez at 619/597-7901 or by email at cmartinez12@sdsu.edu Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.