Assistant Director of Employer Relations

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As the Assistant Director of Employer Relations (Career Specialist, Senior), you’ll be a vital part of the Nicholas School of the Environment’s Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC), supporting graduate students across diverse environmental programs as they explore career pathways and secure internships and full-time opportunities.

The Nicholas School of the Environment (NSOE) Student Services Office supports approximately 350 students across programs including the Master of Environmental Management (MEM), Master of Forestry (MF), distance learning MEM (DEL-MEM), and interdisciplinary degrees such as iMEP and MBCS.

You will work at the intersection of student success and employer engagement—helping students translate their skills into meaningful careers while building relationships that expand opportunities across industries.

Be Bold.

In this high-impact role, you will serve as both a trusted career advisor and a strategic employer development leader—driving outcomes that directly influence student career success and organizational partnerships.

What You’ll Do:

Career Coaching & Advising (30%)

- Serve as a front-line student-interfacing career coach supporting graduate students in establishing realistic career plans and objectives.

- Help students articulate their goals, skills, and qualifications in resumes, cover letters, interviews, online platforms, and networking conversations.

- Develop and deliver career and professional development programming aligned with the CPDC Career Ecosystem framework.

- Support recruitment efforts through prospective student engagement, virtual sessions, and onboarding activities.

- Communicate employer opportunities through newsletters, listservs, and social media channels.

Employer Development (50%)

- Research, develop, and engage employer relationships aligned with strategic goals and student career outcomes.

- Identify and cultivate partnerships that lead to internships, full-time roles, and experiential learning opportunities.

- Design and implement employer engagement strategies, including information sessions, career treks, and recruitment initiatives.

- Build and maintain relationships with corporations, agencies, and organizations to track hiring trends and workforce needs.

- Lead employer development for the Stanback fellowship program and support program analysis and employer engagement.

- Track and analyze employment outcomes and employer engagement metrics; produce reports and recommendations.

Administration & Collaboration (20%)

- Manage employer visits, information sessions, career fairs, and related programming (virtual and in-person).

- Train and supervise student assistants and support funding and administrative processes.

- Collaborate with campus partners and participate in cross-functional career initiatives.

- Support Student Services events such as orientation, graduation, and admitted student programming.

What You Bring

Education

- Work generally requires communications, analytical and organizational skills acquired through completion of a master's degree program.

Experience

- Work requires one year of experience in a placement or other student services function to gain considerable knowledge of career counseling and placement programs.

- Or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.

Preferred Qualifications

- 2+ years of experience developing and conducting training workshops, including resume and cover letter writing, job and internship search, networking and employer correspondence, interviewing, salary negotiation, and professionalism.

- 2+ years of experience in engaging with employers, developing relationships, maintaining networks, developing strategic plans.

- Effective communication skills to engage with students and employers.

- Strong organizational and time management skills.

- Collaboration skills – team-oriented, yet able to work independently and communicate progress.

- Interest or background in environment, sustainability, conservation, or climate-focused fields.

- Budget management experience.

- Experience with Duke systems.

- Data management skills including creating and administering stakeholder surveys, analyzing data, and presenting findings.

- Systematic, process-oriented, critical thinker.

- Emotional intelligence, risk management skills, process improvement experience.

- Open-mindedness and interest in working with diverse populations, including international students.

Choose Duke.

At Duke, this role offers more than a job—it’s an opportunity to shape career outcomes at scale while building meaningful partnerships across sectors driving environmental impact.

- Make a measurable impact by influencing career placement outcomes for graduate students

- Own and grow employer partnerships

- Work at a nationally recognized institution

- Be a strategic voice in shaping employer engagement and student success initiatives

- Engage in high-visibility work with faculty and leadership

- Advance your career in a role that blends coaching, strategy, and relationship management

- Enjoy a collaborative, mission-driven environment

Ready to Make a Difference?

Apply now and help connect talent with opportunity while advancing the next generation of environmental leaders.

Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $64,505.00 to USD $106,121.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goesbeyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender,gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built oncollaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: DAAS@duke.edu; phone: 919-668-1267).