Assistant Director of Employer Relations and Career & Professional Development

Assistant Director of Employer Relations and Career & Professional Development

Posting #: 5450
Position Status: Full-time regular
Location: San Diego
Position Type: Administrator, Joan

B. Kroc School of Peace Studies

Department:
School of Joan

B. Kroc Peace Studies

The Kroc School of Peace Studies trains the changemakers and peace builders of today and tomorrow. Kroc is the first stand‑alone school of peace in the United States. Innovation in learning and programs is at the center of what we do and who we are. We combine theory and practice not only to understand crises and world issues, but also to imagine new possibilities and develop solutions to humanity’s urgent challenges from increasing inequality and violence to climate change.

At Kroc, people discover new ways of building more peaceful and socially just communities through a multidisciplinary lens and experiential learning. We look for passionate individuals who believe in the power of university learning to transform the world for the better.

The University of San Diego is an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries‑old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background.

The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity’s urgent challenges.

The Assistant Director of Employer Relations and Career & Professional Development (AD) advances the Kroc School’s mission by leading initiatives that strengthen students’ career readiness and employment outcomes. The AD develops and implements a comprehensive career development strategy that integrates career advising, employer and recruiter partnerships, alumni engagement and experiential learning to prepare Kroc School graduates for impactful careers in peace building, social innovation, the private sector, public service, and other social impact–driven fields.

Serving as a connector for students, employers, alumni, and faculty, the AD builds and sustains employer pipelines, teaches KROC 502 Pursuing Purpose, and leads professional development programming that responds to evolving labor market trends. The role includes collecting, analyzing, and reporting career outcomes data to inform continuous improvement and demonstrate the Kroc School’s impact to internal and external stakeholders.

This position requires a professional who is both relationship‑oriented and analytically skilled, capable of engaging diverse stakeholders, interpreting hiring and talent development trends, and designing programs that prepare students for success from enrollment through post‑graduation employment. The position involves occasional evening and weekend commitments, as well as some travel.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Employer Relations & Industry Engagement

• Develop and implement comprehensive engagement strategies, including targeted outreach, site visits, employer information sessions, career fairs, and tailored professional networking opportunities that align with the school’s strategy for career outcomes.
• Maximize student employment outcomes by expanding outreach to new employers and creating broader career opportunities for Kroc School students and alumni.
• Build and maintain a network of local, regional, and national recruiters, employers, and industry partners to promote Kroc School students and establish a strong pipeline of job opportunities.
• Engage with industry partners to create internships, post‑graduate fellowships, and job placement opportunities for students.
• In collaboration with the USD Career Development Center, proactively align engagement efforts with target organizations to prevent multiple independent requests and optimize resources.
• Plan and execute employer and alumni engagement…