Strategic Partnerships and Employer Engagement Specialist, College of the Liberal Arts
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
This position is funded for 5 year(s); continuation past 5 year(s) will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.
POSITION SPECIFICS
The Strategic Partnerships and Employer Engagement Specialist plays a pivotal role in advancing employer partnerships that result in curated internships, research, and post-graduation employment opportunities for students in the College of the Liberal Arts.
This role combines strategic outreach, data-driven sales and recruitment tactics, and relationship management to promote the value of Liberal Arts talent to a diverse range of organizations. This position contributes to the College’s commitment to career readiness by meeting measurable growth and engagement goals.
Primary Responsibilities:
Employer Outreach and Relationship Development
Lead employer outreach using consultative sales techniques to increase high-quality experiential learning and job opportunities for students.
Build and sustain a diverse network of employers through hybrid engagement tactics (e.g., site visits, campus events, cold outreach, and alumni networks).
Advocate for the Liberal Arts talent pipeline across business, nonprofit, and government sectors by aligning student capabilities with market needs.
Execute and manage a strategic travel schedule to promote student value to prospective partners.
Industry Trend Analysis and Knowledge Base Management
Maintain a dynamic knowledge base of employment trends, alumni outcomes, and industry talent needs relevant to Liberal Arts majors.
Analyze internal and external data sources to inform strategy and identify areas for opportunity growth.
Collaborate across departments, including the Career Enrichment Network and faculty, to ensure insights are integrated into employer engagement and student programming.
Communications and Sales Strategy
Develop and implement an outreach and communications plan to attract and retain employers.
Create customized pitch materials, sector-specific messaging, and engagement menus in partnership with Strategic Communications.
Collaborate with Alumni Relations and Development to engage alumni as connectors and advocates.
Assessment and Reporting
Define key performance indicators (KPIs) and performance metrics in coordination with College leadership.
Track sales funnel activity, employer engagement outcomes, and hiring conversion metrics.
Produce reports and presentations for stakeholders to highlight impact, trends, and return on investment.
Maintain customer relationship management (CRM) tools to document touchpoints and manage pipelines effectively.
The Strategic Partnerships and Employer Engagement Specialist will be required to travel frequently for employer visits, events, and strategic outreach. The majority of the travel will be within a 3- to 4-hour driving distance from Penn State’s University Park campus (e.g., New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C.).
Qualifications:
Minimum of three (3) years of experience in business development, employer engagement, sales, recruitment, or talent acquisition
Demonstrated ability to manage outreach pipelines and achieve measurable engagement goals
Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, and persuasion skills
High emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills; comfort interacting with senior professionals and stakeholders
Outstanding analytical and reporting abilities
Preferred:
Bachelor’s degree in a liberal arts discipline
Experience in higher education, workforce development, or related fields
Familiarity with CRM systems such as Salesforce, Handshake, or Symplicity
Demonstrated success implementing outreach/sales strategies in non-sales environments
Experience developing promotional content and employer-facing communications
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree
3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
Required Certifications:
None
Application Instructions:
To be considered, applicants must upload a resume and cover letter.
Additional Information:
The College of the Liberal Arts is supportive of flexible work and/or remote arrangements when aligned with the ability to meet the needs of the unit and the essential duties of the position. Questions related to flexible work and/or remote arrangements should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.
This role offers the opportunity to build a sustainable, scalable model for employer engagement in the liberal arts that can become a national benchmark.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $56,200.00 - $81,500.00.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging in all its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports both broad and specific equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
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