Director of Employer Engagement

Student & Campus Life (SCL) inspires transformation in all Cornell students on their journey of individual, academic and personal evolution. Our division is comprised of leading student affairs experts who support our campus on pressing student life matters including public service, health, wellbeing, connection and belonging, residential living, food services, sports, recreation, career services, and student activities and organizations including sorority and fraternity life. We provide support and services to roughly 25,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on multiple campuses in the U.S. and abroad. University Career Development (UCD) www.career.cornell.edu is under Cornell's Division of Student and Campus Life and part of the Cornell Career Network. Our comprehensive services are open to all students and alumni, and complement the services offered through career offices in the undergraduate colleges that are tailored to more college-specific academic and career goals. The Cornell Career Network is a collaborative, campus-wide ecosystem that helps students explore options, refine goals, and build skills and connections for success. Career development is coordinated through a hybrid model led by University Career Development, which oversees strategic planning and operations. The UCD team strategically leads a “One Cornell” approach to employer engagement, advising and education, with services and initiatives conducted in partnership with college and school-based teams across the university. The Director of Employer Engagement provides strategic leadership and vision for Cornell University’s “One Cornell” employer engagement strategy, including employer development and recruitment programs, and collaboration among a broad group of university stakeholders. This role serves as the thought leader on employer engagement. They create, implement, and assess a “One Cornell” employer engagement strategy, which should include a targeted and proactive multi-sector outreach strategy, employer development, KPIs for industry reach and growth, professional development and training for employer relations team members from across campus, and mechanisms for employer input. The Director stays informed of industry trends to strategize approaches to economic changes across industries, including the development of opportunities in AI. This position also oversees assessment, outcomes, and data on employer engagement for reporting and tracking, and provides reports to college and university leadership. The Director serves all colleges and schools in the Cornell Career Network which includes 10 offices, reaching approximately 23,000+ undergraduate and graduate students. This role interfaces with and serves students, staff, faculty, and employers. The Director convenes employer and recruiting professionals from Cornell’s school and college-based career teams, as well as provides leadership to the employer engagement team positioned in the central career office. They must also build strong relationships with Alumni Affairs & Development and Corporate and Foundation Relations staff. Campus collaboration is essential to this role. As the lead for the “One Cornell” employer engagement strategy, the Director will continue to build partnerships with college and school directors to further collaboration that enables us to achieve success. Application will be reviewed by September 18th, 2026. The salary range for this position is $125,000 to $135,450 . This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Success Factors Strong strategic thinker with the ability to develop and execute strategic plans in a complex environment. Demonstrate autonomous leadership and ability to make decisions independently. Expertise in building and developing strong relationships with a variety of constituents, to support the recruiting activity with Cornell students and alumni. Demonstrated success in executing activities and programming at multiple levels of a process. Excellent communication and customer service skills. A demonstrated interest in working with a college-aged population and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others. Required Qualifications: Master’s degree and 5-7 years of experience in business, recruiting, career services, higher education or a related field; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience Ability to collaborate cross-functionally in an office environment and to interface with employers, students, alumni, faculty, and university administrators. Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing. Exceptional communication skills (written, oral, presentation) and demonstrated proficiency facilitating large-group meetings and designing and delivery presentations. Ability to lead change and to organize and effectively manage multiple priorities, programs, and projects. Demonstrated experience leading teams and developing positive relationships, partnerships, and alliances, both within a small team, and across units/divisions. Experience and confidence with strategic planning, implementation, and goal setting. Supervision and leadership experience. Experience leading teams and supporting supervisees as they manage initiatives and programs. Project management experience. Proven experience connecting inclusion, belonging and wellbeing practices to business goals. Preferred Qualifications: Experience working in university career service, and/or experience in university recruitment in the private sector. Awareness of market trends and trends in higher education and career services. Experience with program evaluation and assessment; ability to utilize data for decision-making. Experience managing a budget and/or developing strategies to increase revenue. University Job Title: Director Student Career Development Job Family: Student Services Level: H Pay Rate Type: Salary Pay Range: $116,475.00 - $142,358.00 Remote Option Availability: Hybrid Company: Endowed Contact Name: Caleb Yu Contact Email: [email protected] Job Titles and Pay Ranges: Non-Union Positions Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria: Prior relevant work or industry experience Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position Unique applicable skills Academic Discipline To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator . Union Positions The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement . To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates . Current Employees: If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell. Online Submission Guidelines : Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter. You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website. Employment Assistance: For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected] . If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at [email protected] . Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing [email protected] . Notice to Applicants: Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here . This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant. EEO Statement: Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law. 2026-08-28