Director of Engagement Buffalo

Must be able to travel to Rochester Campus location until the Buffalo Campus is operational.

POSITION SUMMARY

Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven leader to serve as Director of Employer Engagement, a role central to preparing students for the real world of business through hands-on learning and direct industry exposure. Working in partnership with the Vice President, the Director will oversee internship management and reporting while building strong employer relationships rooted in skills-first hiring and entrepreneurial thinking, ensuring students graduate with meaningful, real-world experiences that position them for success.

The Director will collaborate closely with the Assistant Director of Internships, faculty, and academic leaders to design and grow a high-impact employer engagement program that connects students with forward-thinking organizations. By managing the full employer lifecycle—from outreach and onboarding to ongoing partnership, outcome tracking, and continuous improvement—the Director will create seamless, valuable experiences for both students and employers, ultimately scaling a model that meets evolving business needs while preparing students to contribute from day one.

• In collaboration with the VP for Partnerships and the AVP for Career Development, build and manage strategic relationships with employers across industries that value skills-based hiring and entrepreneurial thinking.
• Lead outreach strategies to connect with innovative businesses—startups, early-stage growth companies, and established firms—offering meaningful real-world experiences for students.
• Collaborate with VP on the Career Advisory Board and stay actively engaged in local business and professional communities to gather insight on industry trends, talent needs, and emerging skills—using that knowledge to help shape curriculum and student preparation.
• In conjunction with Assistant Director, design and deliver a seamless, high-quality employer experience from first contact through ongoing collaboration, ensuring clear communication, efficient processes, and responsive support.
• Collaborate with employers to define impactful experiences that align with both student learning goals and real business challenges.
• Utilize CRM (12
  
  Twenty) to manage employer engagement and track relationship-building metrics.
• Serve as the main point of contact for employer engagement, gathering industry insights to inform program direction and academic alignment.
• Oversee regular site visits with Assistant director to strengthen relationships, assess learning environments, and ensure mutual value for students and employers.
• Analyze engagement data to identify growth opportunities and support decision-making around the field experience strategy.
• Lead the design, delivery, and evolution of hands-on field experiences and internships that are practical, relevant, and aligned with today’s business environment.
• Manage internship outcomes and reporting to key stakeholders such as SLT, BOT, BPSS and any other agencies or accreditations who require detailed data.
• Along with VP and technology team, create a dashboard that allows members of SLT to know exactly where students are in procuring Q3, 7 & 8 experiences
• Ensure experiences reflect the Institute’s focus on real-world learning by aligning them with key competencies and program outcomes.
• Develop clear, student-centered policies and tools that support learning in the workplace, including learning goals, reflection frameworks, and performance evaluations.
• Work in tandem with Career Resources team through coaching, resources, and regular feedback.
• Stay current on trends in experiential learning and bring fresh ideas that keep the program entrepreneurial, responsive, and outcomes-driven.
• Ensure field experience programs meet all institutional policies and comply with relevant regulatory requirements.

• Provide one-on-one and group coaching to help students prepare for and maximize their field experiences.
• Lead workshops on career readiness topics…