Assistant Director, Employer Relations (HR Title: Employer Relations Specialist II)

Salary Range: Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications About SMU SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs. SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence. Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact. SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry. About the Position This role is an on-campus, in-person position. The Assistant Director plays a key role in connecting students with meaningful internship and employment opportunities through employer engagement and recruiting initiatives. Working closely with employer representatives, alumni, parents, and other staff withing the Career Center. The position helps create an exceptional student experience, strengthens employer partnerships, and conducts outreach to new employers in support of student career success. Additionally, this role coordinates large-scale career events and programs, and collaborates with academic colleges and industry partners to create valuable career pathways and networking opportunities for students. Essential Functions Use a variety of professional strategies to increase employment opportunities for SMU students and recent alumni. Assist in developing and administering outreach programs to faculty and employers to connect students with internships, full-time and part-time employment opportunities. Research and communicate employment and job trends to all relevant stakeholders. Responsible for administrative event coordination and management for two major Hegi Career Center student experiences or programs, i.e. SMU Board Fellows, Hegi Career Center Internship program, Resumania, and Mock Interviews, etc. Serve as liaison and point of contact for assigned employer relations industries and academic colleges involving communications with employers regarding recruitment and sponsorship activities. Establish relationships with employers, community members, and on-campus partners to create and enhance student, alumni, and employer programs and experiences. Assist in planning and coordinating large scale career events such as the All Majors Career & Internship Fair, Site Visits, Info Sessions, Professional Development Sessions, etc. Present workshops on various career development topics, including formal job search strategies, interview techniques, networking, negotiating, etc. Help manage 12Twenty, the internship and job database. Assist the Associate Director in developing routine data reports with regards to employer recruiting activity and post-graduate student placement data. Responsible for assessment for assigned employer/student programming and ERT Division assessment reporting. Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Department, Division, and University Strategic Plan. Occasional evening work may be requited to meet the needs of the department and/or division. Qualifications Education and Experience Master's is required. Degree in Student Affairs, human resource management, business, communications or related field is preferred. A minimum of three (3) years of experience in a college career center, business/corporate or employer relations, marketing/external relations, or university advancement/development setting is required. Event management experience is preferred. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Candidate must demonstrate high-level interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. A candidate with high-level networking skills as well as a professional demeanor that thrives in an intense, deadline-filled environment, where multi-tasking and the ability to remain organized despite frequent interruptions is essential. Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills. Candidates with the ability to oversee multiple tasks with attention to detail and possess a motivated/enthusiastic work style with strong work ethic and initiative is highly preferred. A strong working knowledge of Microsoft Work, Microsoft Excel and data base programs (12Twenty) is essential. Physical and Environmental Demands Sit for long periods of time Stand Deadline to Apply Applications received by October 16, 2026 may receive priority consideration. Deadline to apply is October 30, 2026. EEO Statement SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of healthand related benefit s. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution. SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMUand, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU. #J-18808-Ljbffr Southern Methodist University