Assistant Director, Employer Partnerships Co-op

Location: Chicago, IL, United States Department: Student Services

The Highlights

The Assistant Director of Employer Relations - Co-op is responsible for cultivating and managing employer partnerships that generate paid cooperative education opportunities for DePaul University business undergraduates. This hands-on, relationship-focused role involves prospecting new employers, managing a portfolio of existing partnerships, coordinating employer engagement activities, and ensuring students have access to high-quality co-op placements.

As part of DePaul's pioneering business co-op program—the only program of its kind in the Chicagoland area—the Assistant Director plays a vital role in building DePaul's reputation as a premier talent pipeline for businesses seeking to develop emerging professionals. This position requires strong relationship-building skills, business acumen, and a commitment to connecting students with meaningful career experiences.

What You'll Do

1. Employer Prospecting & Partnership Development: Identifies and researches prospective employers in accounting, finance, and other business sectors across Chicagoland and beyond. Conducts targeted outreach to employers via phone, email, LinkedIn, and in-person meetings to introduce DePaul's co-op program. Delivers compelling presentations and consultative conversations that position the co-op program as a strategic talent solutions. Qualifies leads and convert prospects into active employer partners committed to hosting co-op students. Leverages alumni, parent, faculty, and donor networks to identify warm leads and partnership opportunities. Attends industry networking events, chamber of commerce meetings, and professional association gatherings to build relationships. Contributes to team goals of securing 500 employer relationships and 100 paid co-op placements in Year 1.

2. Employer Relationship Management & Job Development: Manages a portfolio of employer accounts, serving as primary point of contact for partnership inquiries. Builds and maintains strong relationships with HR professionals, hiring managers, and business leaders. Works collaboratively with employers to develop co-op job descriptions that align with student learning objectives and employer needs. Facilitates the posting of co-op opportunities on Handshake and other platforms, ensuring accurate and compelling job descriptions. Supports employers through the student recruitment and selection process, including resume referrals, interview coordination, and hiring logistics. Conducts regular check-ins with employer partners. Gathers feedback from employers on student performance and program quality.

3. Employer Programming: Coordinates employer participation in career fairs, information sessions, networking events, and on-campus recruiting activities. Facilitate employer-led workshops, career panels, mock interviews, and resume review sessions. Organizes industry-specific events and career treks. Manage logistics for employer visits. Ensures exceptional employer experience at all touchpoints, from initial contact through event execution. Promotes employer events to students through collaboration with Career Coaching team and student organizations.

4. Data Management, Reporting & Administrative Support:  Maintains accurate and up-to-date employer records in CRM systems (Salesforce, Handshake, or similar). Tracks employer interactions, job postings, student placements, and partnership outcomes.  Generate reports on employer engagement metrics, job development progress, and placement data. Contributes to assessment efforts and continuous improvement initiatives. Assists with MOU documentation and partnership agreements. Supports team projects and initiatives.

What You'll Need

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Higher Education, or related field required.

Minimum 2 years of experience in employer relations, sales, business development, recruiting, talent acquisition, or account management.

Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for employer events.

Experience in higher education career services, co-op/internship programs, or student affairs.

Knowledge of Chicago business community and employer landscape.

Experience in sales, account management, or business development.

Knowledge of accounting, finance, and business career pathways.

Established network within Chicago business community.

Experience with event planning and coordination.

Strong relationship-building and networking skills ability to connect with diverse professionals.

Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal.

Sales or business development skills with ability to prospect, qualify leads, and close partnerships.

Customer service orientation with commitment to employer and student satisfaction.

Proficiency with CRM systems (Salesforce preferred), job posting platforms (Handshake preferred), and Microsoft Office Suite.

Strong organizational and project management skills.

Self-motivated and results-oriented with ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Flexibility and adaptability in a startup program environment.

Occasional travel to employer sites for student visits and relationship building.

Fast-paced, dynamic startup environment as program builds from inception.

The anticipated hiring range for this position is: $50,174 to $75,000/year.

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Perks

Working for a stable and well-known University.

Top choice medical, dental, and vision benefits.

Retirement plan matching contribution of 8%.

Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Generous paid time off, sick time, holidays, floating holidays, and more!

Full-Time Benefits

For consideration, please include a resume and cove