Director of Employer Relations

Posted: Monday, 09 February 2026
Valid Thru: Wednesday, 11 March 2026
Index Requested on: 02/09/2026 20:22:48
Indexed on: 02/09/2026 20:22:48

Location: Norman, OK, 73019, US

Industry: Education
Occupational Category: 11-0000.00 - Management
Type of Employment: FULL_TIME

University of Oklahoma is hiring!

Description:

The Director of Employer Relations provides visionary leadership in advancing the university's career readiness mission through cross-campus collaboration, employer engagement, and strategic program development. This is done by developing, expanding, and maintaining strategic relationships with employers, industry partners, and campus stakeholders to increase internship and full-time employment opportunities for University of Oklahoma students. Responsible for driving data-informed relationship development efforts, provides direction for employer engagement strategy, and oversees a team of professionals focused on delivering high-impact recruiting programs, career events, and experiential learning opportunities.

Responsibilities:

  • Builds and maintains partnerships with employers, academic units, and institutional stakeholders to promote career readiness and employer connectivity

  • Leads efforts to expand employer connected learning opportunities, develop scalable strategic partnership programs, and align employer engagement strategies with university-wide goals
  • Ensures that partnerships and programs meet the evolving needs of students, industry, and higher education
  • Serves as a primary point of contact for employer engagement at the University of Oklahoma, using assessment data to prioritize relationship development efforts
  • Cultivates and manages strategic partnerships with employers to create high-quality internships, experiential learning, and full-time job opportunities for students
  • Fosters strong working relationships with academic units, including Deans, Associate Deans, and Division and Program Directors to align employer engagement with college-specific student needs
  • Continuously identifies new opportunities for employer collaboration based on labor market trends and student career interests
  • Develops and implements assessment tools to evaluate the effectiveness of employer programs and services
  • Collects, analyzes, and reports quantitative and qualitative data on employer engagement, recruiting events, and partnership outcomes to inform strategy and demonstrate results
  • Stays up to date on national and regional employment trends and best practices through active participation in professional associations; share insights with internal stakeholders
  • Conducts benchmarking and best practice reviews to enhance employer engagement strategies and programs
  • Supervises assigned staff, offering guidance, coaching, and opportunities for professional growth and collaboration
  • Provides strategic oversight for on-campus and off-campus recruiting programs, including job fairs, networking events, and industry panels
  • Collaborates with career advising, alumni relations, and advancement teams to ensure employer engagement aligns with broader university goals and enhances the recruiting return on investment (ROI)
  • Promotes a culture of innovation, accountability, and collaboration across the employer relations team
  • Performs various duties as needed to successfully fulfill the function of the position

Responsibilities:

Please review the job description.

Educational requirements:

  • high school

Desired Skills:

Required: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, AND:

  • 7 years experience in employer development, talent acquisition, career services, college recruiting or related field

Equivalency/Substitution: Experience or a combination of education and related experience can be considered in lieu of degree. A one-to-one ratio is used to determine the number of years of experience required in place of a degree.

Skills:

  • Ability to effectively market the university and its students to external employers, and successfully convert prospective partners into active recruiters
  • Collaborative mindset with strong team-building and cross-functional coordination abilities
  • Demonstrated success in employer relations, talent acquisition, or the development of strategic employer partnerships
  • Strong relationship management and customer service skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders
  • Proven ability in strategic planning, program development, and execution of initiatives that foster impactful employer engagement
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to various audiences
  • Experience in program assessment, data analysis, and outcomes-based evaluation
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and familiar with career services platforms and related technologies
  • Knowledge of college recruiting practices, industry trends, and best practices
  • Ability to supervise and lead teams, ensuring effective collaboration and achievement of university goals
  • Ability to travel

Certifications: None

Advertised Physical Requirements:

  • Standard office environment
  • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
  • Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays in alignment with events, meeting schedules, and deadlines

Departmental Preferences: None

Supervision: Direct supervision of Associate Director of Employer Relations-1, Sr. Asst. Director-1, Events Team - 2

Special Instructions: If you are selected as a final candidate for this position, you will be subject to The University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Tuberculosis Testing policy. To view the policy, visit https: //hr.ou.edu/Policies-Handbooks/TB-Testing.

Why You Belong at the University of Oklahoma: The University of Oklahoma values our community's unique talents, perspectives, and experiences. At OU, we aspire to harness our innovation, creativity, and collaboration for the advancement of people everywhere. You Belong Here!

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The University, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, gender identity/expression (consistent with applicable law), age (40 or older), religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, housing, financial aid, and educational services.

Benefits:

Please see the job description for benefits.

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