Associate Director, Recruiting & Industry Relations

Associate Director, Recruiting & Industry Relations

Apply Now Job no: 553143
Work type: Management (MPP)
Location: San Diego
Categories: MPP, At-Will, Full Time, Student Services, On-site (work in-person at business location)

Join Our Team as the Associate Director, Recruiting & Industry Relations!

The Associate Director of Recruiting & Industry Relations serves as a key leader within SDSU Career Services, driving partnerships that expand meaningful career opportunities for students and alumni. This role leads the university’s employer engagement strategy—developing innovative industry services, strengthening recruiting pipelines, and leveraging data-informed practices to support regional workforce and economic development. The Associate Director oversees a dedicated Industry Relations team, advances revenue-generating initiatives, and represents SDSU with executives, workforce boards, chambers of commerce, and community partners.

This is an exciting opportunity for a collaborative, strategic, and relationship-driven professional to shape the future of industry engagement at a nationally recognized institution.

Recruiting & Industry Relations Strategy

• Lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation of employer-facing services, ensuring high-quality engagement experiences for students, alumni, and industry partners.
• Implement and maintain CRM strategies to strengthen partnerships, improve employer engagement, and drive growth in work-based learning opportunities.
• Develop and refine an Industry Menu of Services and innovate new offerings that add value beyond traditional recruiting.
• Manage employer participation platforms and set/enforce fee structures that support annual revenue goals.
• Cultivate new and existing employer relationships to generate internships, jobs, and experiential learning opportunities.

Internal & External Partnerships

• Communicate key metrics to internal stakeholders and external partners to expand collaborations and enhance employment pathways.
• Coordinate strategic planning with campus divisions and community organizations to support revenue generation and industry engagement.
• Build and strengthen relationships across the university to align programs with institutional priorities.
• Represent SDSU at conferences, networking events, and industry convenings while promoting the university’s brand across diverse sectors.
• Serve on workforce and economic development boards and maintain partnerships with chambers of commerce, SBDCs, and related organizations.
• Develop MOUs and support cross-campus use of employer engagement tools and systems.

Management, Administration & Outcomes

• Supervise, support, and develop the Industry Relations team, fostering innovation, collaboration, and accountability.
• Monitor labor market trends and assess industry engagement efforts using data, logic models, and institutional priorities.
• Lead the creation and oversight of industry-focused services, ensuring compliance with policies, legal requirements, and best practices.
• Direct revenue-generation strategies and oversee financial administration, including grants and contracts.
• Incorporate student voice to guide programming and service delivery.
• Develop and assess marketing and communications strategies to elevate SDSU’s visibility among industry partners.
• Leverage digital, media, and in-person channels to promote departmental initiatives and strengthen industry engagement.

• Mission-Driven Impact: Help prepare SDSU students for successful, purpose-driven careers that transform communities and industries.
• Collaborative Leadership: Join a forward-thinking team committed to innovation, inclusion, and partnership.
• Regional Engagement: Work at the intersection of education and workforce development, engaging directly with employers and economic leaders.
• Professional Growth: Lead high-impact initiatives while advancing your own leadership career in higher education and talent development.

• This is a full-time, at-will role, offering comprehensive benefits.
• Position is designated exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation.
• Standard SDSU work…