Director for Employer Engagement

one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

Whitman College is cultivating a community built on inclusion and belonging. We recognize the value of those who can offer historically underrepresented perspectives and encourage applications from those whose background, knowledge, and insights from lived experience can add to the college's working and learning environment. Whitman College is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EEO).

POSITION PURPOSE

The inaugural Director for Employer Engagement position is central to furthering Whitman College's promise of offering superb immersive learning opportunities to all students. Reporting to the Director of the Career and Community Engagement Center (CCEC) and working remotely with a team of professionals in the CCEC, the successful candidate will be responsible for proactively developing and cultivating relationships with employers in the Pacific Northwest and Western U.S., and across industries and sectors, generating internships, research assistantships, and possible employment opportunities for students across majors. In collaboration with colleagues, the Director for Employer Engagement will implement the College's and the Center's strategic plan around immersive learning, as it relates to internship and research assistantships for Whitman students. This position is based in Seattle, WA.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Develop and execute a strategic plan for engaging regional and national employers, including a targeted set of employer partnerships with specific outcomes for Whitman students and graduates. (60%)

• Create, cultivate, and steward relationships with employers across all sectors.
• Collaborate with the Alumni Relations Office, faculty and CCEC staff to expand recruiting and internship programs with organizations connected to Whitman alumni and parents.
• Identify and cultivate relationships with relevant organizations and business sectors that historically have had little or no interaction with Whitman College.
• Develop a communication strategy to highlight internship and research opportunities to further our integrated advising efforts.
• Maintain a working knowledge of regional and national employment market trends and their actual and potential impact on the hiring of Whitman students and graduates.
• Direct outreach activities and events that connect students and alumni with employers.
• Collaborate with the Director for Career Development to track job market demand, employer use of CCEC, and hiring results for students in various academic majors.
• Formulate strategies for increasing participation rates of those majors that underuse available resources.

Engage actively in CCEC initiatives to provide individual career coaching to every student at Whitman and prepare them for a strong graduate launch. (25%)

• Provide career coaching support to a cohort of Whitman students.
• Actively participate in Year 5 career coaching for recent graduates.
• Infuse employer and job market insights into career coaching initiatives.

Participate in CCEC leadership to collaborate on Center-wide initiatives and responsibilities. (15%)

• Supervise staff that support these areas of work.
• Manage relevant budgets to ensure effective and permissible use of funds.
• Represent and promote the CCEC to a variety of constituents such as Whitman parents, alumni and prospective students.
• Maintain membership in relevant national and regional associations, attend conferences and training, and share knowledge with campus colleagues.
• Utilize and evaluate data for continuous program improvement.
• Utilize effective and current technology and communication outlets in all facets of work.
• Adapt to evolving priorities and contribute to additional projects and initiatives related to the CCEC that align with institutional needs.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Must be able to explain and/or demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. Specifically,

• Demonstrated ability to articulate the value of a liberal arts education and the College's mission and values.
• Ability to positively and actively contribute to the college's core values of diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism and access.
• Knowledge of employer engagement and partnership development strategies that support immersive and experiential learning in a liberal arts context.
• Knowledge of regional and national labor market trends and their implications for student career outcomes and employer demand.
• Skill in building, cultivating, and sustaining strategic relationships with employers across industries and sectors, including organizations historically under-engaged with the College.
• Skill in strategic planning, implementation, and assessment of employer engagement initiatives aligned with institutional and divisional goals.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, alumni relations, advancement, and student-facing teams to expand high-impact learning and recruiting opportunities.
• Skill in using data, technology, and market insights to track engagement, participation, and student outcomes and inform continuous improvement.
• Ability to provide career coaching and advising informed by employer expectations, workforce trends, and equitable access considerations.
• Skill in supervising staff, managing budgets, and contributing to college-wide leadership and operational effectiveness.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to represent the College professionally to diverse constituencies.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to evolving institutional needs, and travel regionally as required.
• Exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to manage complex, concurrent initiatives; prioritize competing demands; and execute projects with accuracy, consistency, and attention to detail.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree
• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in employer engagement, external relations, partnership development, recruiting, career services, workforce development, or a related field.
• OR a combination of relevant education, training, and experience.

Whitman College values diverse pathways to acquiring skills and knowledge and encourages applicants to demonstrate how their background aligns with the role.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree.

Please note that while the description details both required and preferred qualifications, we want applicants to be aware that they do not need to have all of the preferred qualifications to be considered for this position. If you meet the minimum qualifications and have passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position requires frequent regional travel.

BENEFITS

Whitman College offers a competitive benefits program that is designed to attract qualified candidates and retain talented employees. Full-time employees enjoy the following benefits:

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurances.
• Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment and long term disability insurances with the capability to elect additional voluntary coverage.
• 403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with a 10% matching contribution after eligibility requirements are met.
• Paid Time Off: 20 accrued vacation days, 12 accrued sick days, 13 paid holidays.
• Tuition Remission - Dependent Children
• Employee tuition waiver for two Whitman courses per semester.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Relocation assistance for eligible employees.

Learn more about benefits eligibility here.

APPLICATION REVIEW

Application review will begin on February 9, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

START DATE

March 30, 2026