Hybrid Director of External Relations at UChicago

Department

Provost UChicagoGRAD Professional Development

About the Department

UChicagoGRAD, a part of the Office of the Provost that supports graduate education across the University, is an innovative national model for preparing graduate students and postdocs to succeed while at UChicago and beyond. With teams focusing on admissions, fellowship advising, writing support and public speaking training, diversity initiatives, career exploration and planning, and administration, UChicagoGRAD works with campus partners to support students and postdocs at every stage of their academic careers and beyond. UChicagoGRAD functions as a one-stop shop for graduate students and postdocs to access resources that support timely degree completion and to enhance professional preparation that helps them translate their degrees into a variety of careers. UChicagoGRAD works with academic departments and divisions as well as campus-wide offices to develop and implement outreach, recruitment, and yield efforts; graduate and postdoc-focused programs, workshops, and events; training and support tailored to UChicago graduate students and postdocs; and administrative practices and policies in support of graduate education.

Job Summary

The job manages professional staff responsible for planning, administering, and leading a variety of student services. Develops and implements programs for graduate students, suggests and implements improvement strategies.

Responsibilities

• Develops strategy to make UChicago a leader in providing employer and alumni connections to graduate students and postdocs aiming for innovative formats that set a clear distinction between UChicago and its peer institutions.

• Analyzes job market trends and student/postdoc feedback to determine employer relations offerings.

• Oversees the creation of new employer relationships and pipelines and maintains existing relationships and profiles.

• Collaborates with employer partners to create bespoke recruiting plans, including information sessions and large scale events to ensure student success and employer satisfaction.

• Provides strategic oversight of the GRAD Gargoyle job board opportunities, posting approvals, reporting and compliance.

• Maintains relationships with employer relations professionals in PME, PSD, Harris, SSD, Booth, Career Advancement, Corporate Engagement, and beyond. Leads strategic planning discussions with same.

• Collaborates with career development colleagues at UChicagoGRAD to ensure effective communication about employer-related initiatives.

• Supervises work of Assistant Director of Programming and Outreach, interns and temporary staff.

• Oversees the administration and management of various internship and mentorship programs.

• Creates, establishes, and maintains relationships with search firms, and meets with an assigned group of new alumni and/or employer partners periodically to generate employer development leads and opportunities. Collaborates with publications to develop marketing materials.

• Identifies, cultivates, and develops employer relationships and student employment opportunities for assigned industry areas. Uses best practices and knowledge of employers to recruit new companies and/or organizations to participate in career fairs, on-campus recruiting, job postings, and other programs.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Advanced degree.

Experience:

• Professional work experience in corporate recruiting, employer relations, alumni relations, corporate engagement, or similar professional work experience.

• Previous supervisory experience.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Excellent working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite, especially Excel.

• Proficiency in using Symplicity or similar career service management (CSM) systems.

• Knowledge of the employment and recruiting landscape for advanced degree talent.

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent customer service skills.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Excellent project management and organizational skills.

• Excellent relationship-building skills.

• Ability to work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.

Working Conditions

• This position has a hybrid work schedule.

• Standard office environment.

• Work evenings and weekends as needed.

• This position is located in 970 E. 58th Street.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

• Cover Letter, addressed to Hiring Committee (preferred)

Job Family

Student Affairs & Services

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$72,250.00 - $90,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

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