"Associate Director of Graduate Placement"

Job Description

The Associate Director of Graduate Placement connects graduate business students, particularly MBA students in residential and online programs with desirable employment & internship opportunities. Reporting to the Executive Director of Career Services and Employer Relations, this role serves as both a career advisor and job placement specialist, with a strong focus on talent sourcing & employer matchmaking. The position supports a diverse graduate student population, including many int'l and mid-career professionals, & works closely with the Dir of Employer Relations to expand hiring relationships.

A head-hunter mindset is essential to proactively identify roles that align with student goals and to place graduates in reputable organizations that strengthen Whitman's brand. The role also includes supervising a small team of one full-time staff member and one temporary employee. Beyond employer outreach and placement, the Assoc Dir advises online graduate students through one-on-one coaching, resume & LinkedIn support, and targeted career programming. This includes virtual and in-person workshops designed to help mid-career professionals navigate transitions. Ideal candidates will be results-driven, strong communicators, and well-versed in recruitment strategies to deliver meaningful outcomes for students and employer partners.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree required with 5-8 years of experience in career advising, employer relations, recruiting, or talent placement.
• Experience as a headhunter, corporate recruiter, or in a similar talent acquisition role is highly desirable.

Job Specific Qualifications

Skills and Knowledge

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proactive, results-driven mindset and a passion for connecting talent with opportunity.
• Background in headhunting, corporate recruiting, or executive search is strongly preferred.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities and meeting tight deadlines.
• High level of accountability, discretion, and follow-through in managing confidential information and professional relationships.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to engage and collaborate with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, including those with a variety of professional experiences and international students.
• Proficiency in Excel, database tools (e.g., Salesforce), and online platforms for career services or recruitment.
• Willingness to travel occasionally and work some evenings or weekends to support employer outreach, student events, and professional conferences.

Responsibilities

Talent Sourcing and Recruitment

This role is dedicated to talent sourcing and recruitment, with a focus on identifying employment opportunities for all graduate business students, and a focus on those in MBA programs, both online and on-campus students. This includes leveraging a wide range of channels, such as alumni networks, employer relationships, industry contacts, social media, and professional events, to uncover job and internship openings that align with student profiles. The Associate Director will review resumes, conduct preliminary interviews, and evaluate student readiness to ensure a strong match before making referrals to employer partners.

Client Relationship Management

Work with Director of Employer Relations, focusing on client relationship management, with hiring managers, HR professionals, and key decision-makers to create and sustain strong partnerships that benefit Whitman graduate students. This includes gaining a deep understanding of each employer's hiring needs, company culture, and role expectations to find successful candidate matches. Advise students on effective strategies, emerging market trends, and best practices in job search. Facilitate communication between students and employers, provide timely feedback, and support both parties in navigating job offers. Post-placement, the role includes following up with students to understand onboarding experience and to address any concerns that may arise during their transition.

Market Research and Analysis

Track industry trends, labor market shifts, and hiring patterns within key sectors to inform the placement strategy that is unique to graduate students. Identify potential employer partners, anticipate future talent needs, and use market insights to shape outreach efforts. Regular analysis of employer recruitment data will help evaluate the effectiveness of student placement and guide continuous improvement. It will also help to inform the Graduate Recruitment strategy.

Career Advising for Online Graduate Students

Provide one-on-one career advising to full-time and online graduate students. Support includes resume and LinkedIn refinement, goal setting, and job and internship search strategy. Deliver virtual workshops and managing online career resources to meet the needs of a diverse, geographically dispersed student body.

Team Supervision

Oversee one full-time staff member and a temporary employee. Guide the team's day-to-day efforts, while developing a team culture focused on student needs, professional growth and alignment with Whitman and career center goals.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University's 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.

About the Syracuse area

Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.