Employer Relations Officer

Summary/Purpose

The Employer Relations Officer is charged with positioning Summit Academy OIC as a key source for entry-level talent to employers in the industries in which the organization delivers training. This includes (1) establishing brand awareness and visibility, positioning Summit as a strategic workforce partner; (2) identifying opportunities where Summit can amplify and elevate its message targeting new employers (panels, association groups, executive groups, etc.); (3) and fostering opportunity for partnership and employer engagement leading to hiring of graduates. The Employer Relations Officer engages at the executive-level, identifying and communicating with key decision makers and mobilizers of opportunity. This individual is highly-skilled in relationship cultivation and has demonstrated experience in building and sustaining relationships, and in identifying potential for further engagement, including philanthropic opportunities. The Employer Relations Officer collaborates with the Employer Engagement Manager, seeking opportunities for executive-level engagement and aligning with existing outreach efforts to drive hiring.

Essential Functions

Develop, implement, and drive employer cultivation strategy

• Develop an employer cultivation strategy in partnership with internal C-level team.
• Implement adopted approach and framework, developing an implementation plan and key deliverables.
• Identify and build opportunities for engagement, assessing level of engagement and recommending strategies to deepen engagement.
• Build, maintain, and grow the employer relationship. Invest in ongoing relationship building and map a contact/engagement approach suited to the specific employer.

Establish brand awareness and visibility

• Position Summit as leading workforce solution in building a diverse, entry-level, skilled talent pipeline.
• Drive awareness and visibility within our core existing industries in which we train as well as emerging fields.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to develop employer-focused collateral to drive employer action, including but not limited to specific collateral aligned with researched strategies by targeted industry.
• Attend industry panel discussions, presenting Summit Academy OIC as a key workforce solution. Identify high-level opportunities for the president and CEO to share thought-leadership.
• Partner with the Corporate Communications Manager to leverage digital platforms, social media, and executive networks to engage executives through targeted communications and industry-specific content.

Build executive-level relationships to drive partnership

• Research and identify key industry leaders and executive drivers responsive to corporate social responsibility.
• Deploy existing social network to penetrate different executive groups, expanding the network of employers.
• Attend industry-specific networking events, conferences, galas, and trade shows to establish new connections and strengthen existing relationships with employers.
• In partnership with Career Services, identify opportunities for employer appreciation and inclusion of executive-level engagement.

Drive increased hiring and solutions leading to hiring (i.e., Work-Based Learning)

• Identify employer entry-level workforce needs; assess and determine Summit’s positioning strategy.
• Work with employers to create internship/WBL opportunities providing valuable, paid, hands-on experiences leading to full-time employment for Summit graduates.
• Communicate clearly the impact of hiring Summit talent, responding to employer need. Showcase success stories of graduates/alumni through case studies, testimonials, and media features. Showcase success stories of employer hiring partners.
• Function as a key bridge between organization stakeholders (C-Level team and Career Services).
• Seek employer feedback on their partnership/hiring experience with Summit. Provide ongoing feedback to the internal team, providing recommendations for continuous performance improvement.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Outstanding customer-experience skills; exceptional relationship building, delivering a “boutique” experience.
• Ability to work independently and thrive in fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem solver that demonstrates curiosity and takes initiative.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Existing understanding of the current environment, including knowledge of key workforce and corporate champions who lead with impact, as well as areas of opportunities. Has existing network of employer/industry relationships.

Supervisory Responsibility

No supervisory responsibility.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional school and office environment. This role constantly uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.

Physical Demands

Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity to dial a telephone and to enter data into a computer; to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids; hear and understand speech at normal office levels and on the telephone; speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in standard conference rooms and on the telephone; physical agility to lift up to 25 pounds to waist height; and to bend, stoop, walk, and reach overhead.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

• Full-time role.
• Evening engagements will be required.
• Some weekends may be required.

Travel

Local travel

Occasional national travel

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in fields/related fields: Business, Recruitment, Corporate Communications, Entrepreneurship, and/or Marketing.
• At least 10 years of corporate experience and/or development experience; 5 years of executive-level corporate engagement preferred.

Other Duties

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

AAP/EEO

It is the policy of Summit Academy OIC to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Summit Academy OIC will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.