Director of Employer Engagement-Accelerate U

Overview

Who We Are:

National Louis is a 135+ year old university that has been grounded in the values of innovation, access, excellence, and equity from its inception. As an institution, we believe in providing access to educational opportunity and that education is our greatest lever for social and economic mobility. We are a student-focused community that is committed to continuous improvement and superior student service.  We believe that through education we are able to empower change and build healthy communities. Our hard-working community is based on collaboration and respect for all team members and students.

Job Summary:

In July 2021, NLU launched a new initiative called Accelerate U focused on workforce training for local, upwardly-mobile jobs and careers.  A path-breaking “job first higher education” model, Accelerate U works closely with employer partners to build affordable (Pell-eligible) academic and training pathways that 1) bridge to an in-demand job in about six months, 2) lead to an industry-recognized credential, 3) focus on technical and ”durable”/career readiness skill development, 4) include coaching, wraparound supports, and a meaningful cohort-based experience, and 5) allow participants to earn up to 30 college credits that seamlessly “stack” into a bachelor’s degree.  

The Director of Employer Engagement will create, implement, and grow the Accelerate U employer partnership strategy to eventually open up hundreds of new job opportunities for Accelerate U learners. This individual will lead Accelerate U’s employer partner management from start to finish including developing an initial engagement, managing ongoing relationships with staff at all levels of the employer partner (including the C-Suite, HR/Talent leadership, and hiring managers), collecting feedback, coordinating hiring of program completers and partnership expansion and growth. The Director of Employer Engagement will identify and understand employer hiring needs (and their hiring cycles) and then work closely with the Accelerate U team to ensure all learning experiences deliver value to AU employer partners. The Director of Employer Engagement will manage two other AU staff members to ensure Accelerate U learners transition into full-time work and find success in their careers over time. The Director of Employer Engagement reports directly to the Vice President of Workforce Pathways. 

Essential Responsibilities

• Design and implement a business development strategy, working with practitioners and industry experts, the VP of Workforce Development, and the NLU team to identify and secure new employer partnerships to meet AU enrollment goals.
• Collaborate with the VP of Workforce Pathways on a long-term employer strategy that includes building workforce pathways and regional and national partnerships that meet specific needs and improve the lives of our learners.
• Improve and scale learner job placement processes (in partnership with the Director of Career Coaching, Career Coaches and other Accelerate U staff) so that all AU completers get hired in a full-time job within 3 months of program completion.  This will include aligning AU programs to employer hiring cycles, hosting hiring/networking events, implementing systems for matching program completers to jobs, and other engagement strategies.
• Collect employer partner feedback on the skills they need in new hires as well as overall program design and logistics, and work cross-functionally with the Accelerate U team to incorporate that feedback into the learning journey.
• Monitor ongoing micro and macro trends in the regional and national labor markets and the emerging needs of employers (via publications, research, conferences, convenings) to inform Accelerate U’s employer engagement strategy.
• Oversee all logistics of formalizing employer partnerships including affiliate agreement, Memos of Understanding (MOU), and contract management.
• Troubleshoot all issues that arise as AU builds new programs for employers and ensure AU continues to meet its hiring and talent development needs.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree or at least seven (7) years of relevant professional experience building partnerships, working in or with large employers, sales, or other relevant experience.
• Three to five (3-5) years in Project Management: Skills in planning, executing, and overseeing multiple initiatives simultaneously including demonstrated familiarity with project management tools/systems.
• Three to five (3-5) years in Stakeholder Engagement: Expertise in networking and relationship management with employers, industry associations, and government agencies to foster partnerships.
• One to three (1-3) years Public Speaking and Presentation: Strong public speaking and