Director of Industry and Community Partnerships na Colby

Job Description

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Employee Type:

Job Summary:

Colby is seeking a relational, strategic, system-minded professional who is experienced in cultivating and growing partnerships and networks for this reimagined Director of Industry and Community Partnerships role within DavisConnects. 

Reporting to and serving as a thought partner for Dean of DavisConnects, the Director will develop and expand industry relationships and career opportunities (e.g. externships, internships, research and employment opportunities) for the benefit of Colby students across majors while collaborating with the multidisciplinary Labs, Centers and Institutes to leverage the many experiential learning and post-graduate opportunities they are developing. A member of the DavisConnects leadership team, the Director will provide effective leadership for an Assistant Director, with whom the Director will foster robust connections with Colby alumni, parents and friends of the College looking to hire and/or refer Colby students to transformational undergraduate and post-graduate experiences.

Essential Functions

To perform successfully in this position, an individual must be able to perform essential duties satisfactorily as well as possess education/experience, employ the knowledge, skills, and abilities as listed in representative fashion. Colby College actively supports the Americans with Disabilities Act and will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.  This listing of essential duties is not all-inclusive, but representative; other duties may be assigned.

• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy for industry partnerships and engagement across multiple industries/geographic regions, including segmentation, outreach, and stewardship. Proactively cultivate, enhance and expand career opportunities for Colby students across majors including, for example, externships, internships, research, and employment  opportunities while collaborating  with the multidisciplinary Labs, Centers and Institutes, as well as with colleagues in Advancement and Academic Affairs, to leverage the many experiential learning and post-graduate opportunities those areas are concurrently stewarding. Travel as necessary to engage in this cultivation.

• Work closely with the Office of Advancement in building relationships with Colby alumni, parents, and friends of the College who have expressed an interest in offering or referring Colby students and graduates to opportunities.

• Source, recruit and assess students and alumni for opportunities the Director generates in collaboration with members of the DavisConnects team, while providing relevant information and resources to the advising team to prepare students for successful applications for those opportunities. Ensure recruiting policies and practices align with professional standards, such as NACE and institutional priorities. Ensure employer engagement efforts reflect inclusive and ethical recruitment practices aligned with Colby’s mission and values.

• Develop and facilitate virtual, on- and off-campus recruitment and industry events, including, for example, industry immersion experiences and recruitment days, employer information sessions, and networking receptions.

• Serve as a subject matter expert on behalf of DavisConnects for the Colby community and external partners, on employment and workplace trends and hiring practices, so that students can best prepare and compete for opportunities. Pursue continuing education with regard to employment trends, industry standards and hiring practices through, for example, participation in professional associations and review of relevant periodicals and business journals. Educate other members of DavisConnects on an ongoing basis to inform their relevant advising efforts.

• Generate awareness among students and their faculty and staff mentors about the opportunities the Director is cultivating via strategic outreach, marketing campaigns, and collaborative programs. Regularly assess the efficacy and impact of said initiatives and adjust as necessary so that the students and Colby community remain aware of the availability of current and post-graduate opportunities.

• Oversee the content and maintenance of the database(s) and supporting systems cataloging the relationships and opportunities the Director is cultivating, including, without limitation, qualifying/screening those opportunities which are posted into the database(s) directly by employers and community partners.

• Oversee and guide the coordination of program evaluation, outcomes tracking, and data reporting for industry engagement and partnerships.

• Provide mentorship, performance management, and professional development for Director’s  direct report(s).

Position Qualifications

Education and/or experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree strongly preferred along with  5+ years of relevant experience and a minimum of three to five  years at a supervisory level.

• Prior related experience strategizing and cultivating partnerships with a diverse range of constituencies.  Prior experience in the staffing, recruiting, human resources, communications or career services industries strongly preferred;

• Demonstrated ability to understand and articulate the value of a liberal arts education to current and prospective employers and community partners;

• Strong interpersonal, communication, presentation skills which will allow the Director to present confidently to employers and interact credibly with the Colby community;

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities;

• Exceptional detail-orientation and organizational competencies;

• Proficiency and experience using technology (i.e. Microsoft office, Google Suite) and effectively leveraging social media required; Experience with Handshake  strongly preferred.

• The ability and willingness to provide excellent service and to work in a collegial manner with students, faculty and staff, and other constituencies;

• Valid driver’s license required.

Physical/Mental Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this position and/or may be encountered while performing essential functions.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• To successfully perform the essential functions of this position, an employee must be able to maintain appropriate confidentiality with regard to employee data, documents, issues, etc., and respect privacy needs of employees and past employees with regard to the same.

• The ability to comply with highly inflexible deadlines is required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position; there will be multiple occurrences of sudden, urgent task completion required.

• There may be occurrences of employees, past employees, members of the general public, and others who express opinions, may exhibit strong emotions, which will require the employee to interact professionally, diplomatically, and appropriately in such situations.

• While performing the essential duties of this position, an employee would frequently be required to move around the office space as well as within hallways, meeting rooms, and other parts of the campus facilities. 

• There may be multiple/daily instances of prolonged personal computer use which would include keyboard and/or mouse usage as well as viewing a computer monitor.

• An employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

• The overall work environment requires the mental ability to shift focus quickly due to interruptions; an employee must be able to mentally track multiple projects and tasks as well.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate; however, there may be unexpected instances of somewhat loud sounds.

To Apply:

Interested candidates should apply electronically by clicking the “Apply Now” button on the Colby College website.  Please upload a cover letter and resume to your application.