Associate Director, Employer Engagement

Special Instructions to Applicants:

All interested applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities. 

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary:

The Center for Career Development at Rice University is a recognized leader in career education, serving one of the most talented and diverse student populations in the country. The CCD is committed to innovation, equity, and empowering students to chart meaningful professional paths. This is an exciting opportunity to join a collaborative, high-impact team at a pivotal time of growth and transformation.

The Associate Director of Employer Engagement is a strategic contributor to the Center for Career Development’s mission to educate, connect, and empower Rice students as they prepare for meaningful careers and lifelong impact. Reporting to the Director of Employer Engagement and Experiential Learning, this role develops and manages employer engagement strategies, sets and achieves engagement success metrics, cultivates strategic partnerships, expands career opportunities for Rice students and alumni, and elevates Rice’s visibility as a premier source of talent.

The Associate Director oversees and supports a portfolio of employer-, student-, and alumni-facing programs, including the Career & Internship Expo and campus recruiting initiatives and events. This role also works to attract and retain employer sponsors to enhance the Center for Career Development’s mission and goals. This position supervises two or more staff members.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate has worked in a fast-paced university career center and has experience engaging with a diverse group of employers, students, and alumni. They possess advanced networking and relationship-building skills to cultivate partnerships and identify opportunities for Rice students and alumni. The ideal candidate also understands current recruiting and early talent trends to inform engagement strategies and address student and employer needs, while being able to articulate effective recruiting strategies that resonate with Rice’s distinctive talent. They have supervisory and leadership experience that enables them to effectively manage and motivate a team to achieve employer engagement success metrics.

Workplace Requirements:

This position is offered as a full-time hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Regular office hours are Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM, and occasional evening or weekend hours may be required, depending on the needs of the office. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range: $76,000–$80,000 annually, dependent upon qualifications and experience
*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 3+ years of related experience in employer engagement, campus recruiting, and/or business development

Skills:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport across diverse employer, alumni, student, and faculty/staff audiences
• Knowledge of labor market trends, hiring practices, and equity-focused advising models
• Strong organizational and project management abilities
• Demonstrated success leading workshops, outreach efforts, and high-impact initiatives
• Ability to relate effectively with employers,