Associate Director, Employer Engagement

The University of Notre Dame is more than a workplace; it is 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!

Mendoza College of Business

Vision: The Mendoza College of Business will be a premier global business school, widely recognized for innovative research, rigorous educational programs, and formative student experiences, all informed by our Catholic character. Mendoza will be the business school of choice for talented students, faculty, and staff who are called to serve and have a desire to advance civilization using business as a force for good.

Mission: As a leading business school guided by the University’s Catholic identity, we seek to grow the good in business in order to improve the human condition in an ever-changing society. Through impactful research and educational programs, we contribute to the formation of ethical business leaders who integrate the mind and the heart and have the competence to see and courage to act.  

Career Success and External Engagement

The Career Success and External Engagement team consists of the professionals dedicated to experiential and global learning, career coaching, and employer and alumni engagement for Mendoza’s graduate degree programs. 

The Career Success and External Engagement team is dedicated to equipping Mendoza graduate students with the tools, connections, and confidence to thrive in an ever-changing business landscape. Mendoza graduate students are invited to join many of the world’s top employers because:

• The Experiential and Global Learning team offers project-based learning that allows students to apply their academic knowledge to real-world challenges with real-world organizations;

• The Career Coaching team empowers students to develop the skills and mindset required to navigate the marketplace and build a purposeful lifelong career; 

• The External Engagement team builds and maintains corporate and alumni relationships; and

• The University’s alumni ensure the Notre Dame brand is known and respected.

Purpose

The Associate Director of Employer Engagement is a critical individual contributor role within the Mendoza College of Business. The Associate Director is charged with independently developing and implementing strategic initiatives that build a best-in-class employer engagement function to support the employment outcomes of Mendoza graduate business students.

The Associate Director will lead employer engagement strategies specifically for the MBA and Specialized Masters programs and use deep market knowledge and stakeholder relationships to influence program development, expand corporate partnerships, and drive outcomes that impact the reputation and performance of Mendoza’s career success operations. Reporting to the Director of External Engagement, the Associate Director of Employer Engagement collaborates across departments and frequently engages with executive leadership, alumni, and external stakeholders to shape strategic direction and ensure Mendoza is aligned with the evolving business landscape.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

60% Employer Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary relationship lead for employers and recruiters across various industries. 

• Independently develop and lead strategies to grow, strengthen and sustain high-impact corporate partnerships.

• Identify, prioritize and cultivate new corporate relationships aligned with student career goals and market trends, to ensure students have access to employment opportunities.

• Design and implement long-term stewardship plans and employer development initiatives, with minimal oversight.

• Partner closely with the MBA/SM Career Coaches and academic colleagues to co-design integrated employer engagement strategies that improve outcomes of expanding and deepening relationships with target employers. 

• Represent the University and Mendoza externally at industry events and high-level employer/alumni functions. 

20% Marketing and Brand Positioning 

• Lead the creation and refinement of marketing strategies and employer-facing collateral targeting the MBA/SM Program Pathway sectors.

• Oversee digital engagement campaigns, ensuring consistency and strategic alignment across platforms (LinkedIn, IrishCompass, website).

• Analyze and report on the effectiveness of branding and communication strategies using data insight.

• Collaborate with internal marketing and advancement teams to elevate Mendoza’s visibility across various industries.

20% Market Intelligence, Data and Systems Leadership

• Lead data collection and market analysis to provide actionable insight into hiring trends, competitive benchmarks, and industry shifts.

• Serve as a subject matter expert and resource for internal stakeholders on employer expectations, hiring cycles, and market shifts.

• Develop and oversee systems for tracking employer engagement using CRM and survey platforms.

• Use data to inform strategic decision making and continuous improvement of employer engagement activities.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• The person in this position routinely presents information at meetings/events.

• The person in this position occasionally moves through the building to attend meetings/events and access files or information.

• May require work during early mornings, nights, and/or weekends.

• The person in the position travels domestically and internationally, as required.

• The person in this position is eligible to participate in Mendoza’s Flexible Work location program. 

The statements included in this description are intended to reflect the general nature and level of work assigned to this classification and should not be interpreted as all-inclusive.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree (MBA) or advanced certification beyond a Bachelor's Degree.

•  Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in business development, employer relations, consulting, finance, tech or a related field. 

• Demonstrated experience independently leading complex projects or employer engagement programs with measurable results.

• Advanced relationship management, negotiation, and consultative selling skills.

• Strong strategic planning and project management skills necessary to set goals, monitor progress, develop operational timelines, and measure success.

• Ability to respond quickly to changing business needs and priorities.

• Team-oriented, proactive, flexible, and customer-service focused in nature. 

• Excellent interpersonal skills, collaboration, reasoning, and resourcefulness in an environment of constrained resources.

• Proven ability to successfully interact with diverse groups of people including C-suite level executives.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential. Strong public speaking skills are necessary; ability to present strong and persuasive oral and written communications and to effectively work with internal and external stakeholders.

• Proficiency in MS Office, Google Apps, Qualtrics, and CRM software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in corporate recruiting or university relations functions.

• Previous experience working within an employer engagement function at a Top 25 MBA program.

• Comprehensive understanding of the MBA talent markets, employer trends, and alumni networks.

This position will close on September 18, 2025. 

At Notre Dame, we know our impact depends on exceptional people, people like you. We are committed to fostering a vibrant, welcoming community. In keeping with our mission, we encourage applications from all who will help build and strengthen our beloved community. We strive to empower every employee to flourish, knowing your success propels Notre Dame to new heights of impact.