Specialist, Employer & Industry Partnerships
Overview
Working within the strategy set by Lakehead’s Partner Relations Committee, the Specialist, Employer Relations & Industry Partnerships will develop and maintain meaningful relationships that connect early career talent with workplaces across Ontario.
Responsibilities
- Support employment outcomes for Lakehead students and graduates by building and maintaining effective partnerships with employers across a range of industries within assigned geographic territories. This includes direct outreach through telephone, email, digital platforms including social media, and in-person engagement at industry events and community activities.
- Work collaboratively with student-facing colleagues to provide student-centred employment advising, and assist job seekers with introductions to hiring managers within partner organizations. Support the development of opportunities by encouraging employer partners to create new roles in addition to posting existing vacancies.
- Work with employer partners to develop appropriate co-op and career opportunities for students and graduates, including negotiating terms of employment to ensure alignment with academic co-operative education requirements, supporting meaningful learning experiences, and providing guidance on appropriate compensation for student and graduate talent.
- Conduct site monitoring visits to support student success in co-operative education experiences. Provide coaching and support to both students and employers, assist with mediation of workplace issues as required, and relay employer feedback to academic partners to support curriculum development aligned with industry needs.
- Plan and coordinate employment and career exploration events both on and off campus for students, alumni, and employer partners.
- Maintain accurate and timely records of appointments, meetings, and all student and employer interactions within relevant systems.
- Represent the University in the community and in digital environments such as LinkedIn, Zoom, and other online platforms, as well as at industry events, conferences, workshops, and community initiatives. Act as a spokesperson or guest speaker when required and identify opportunities to strengthen and expand employer relationships.
- Manage a designated industry and geographic portfolio, working to meet or exceed key performance indicators related to student employment outcomes, employer satisfaction, and repeat engagement from partner organizations.
Qualifications
- Post-secondary degree or diploma in Human Resources or a field related to the duties of the position, or an equivalent combination of education and experience in employment services or related environments.
- A minimum of three years of experience in career development, employment counselling, job development, sales and marketing, talent recruitment, or other directly transferable experience.
- Willingness to work primarily in a remote capacity, with the ability to travel to the assigned campus location one day per week. A valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle are required for occasional travel to offsite meetings within Ontario.
- Demonstrated strong relationship-building and networking skills, with the ability to adapt communication styles for different audiences and environments.
- Strong customer service orientation, with a solutions-focused approach and a genuine commitment to supporting the success of students, graduates, and community partners.
- Ability to develop and maintain a strong understanding of labour market conditions across multiple industries, including the ability to discuss career pathways, required competencies, credential alignment, and industry-specific employment structures.
- Experience working with confidential information in a competitive environment, with strong accuracy and attention to detail in maintaining records within an enterprise CRM system.
- Excellent time management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
- Ability to analyze data and interpret labour market trends, with strong public speaking and facilitation skills for meetings and presentations of varying sizes.
- Proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, and online meeting platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet.
- Ability to work outside of regular business hours when required.
- Demonstrated alignment with Lakehead’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, Access, Inclusion, and Belonging, with the ability to understand and articulate how equity issues in employment vary across different demographics and socio-economic barriers.
Additional Assets
- CHRP, CDP, or other designation related to human resources or career development is considered an asset.
- Previous experience in talent recruitment and retention, sales, marketing, or other goal-oriented roles is considered an asset.
- Understanding of how post-secondary institutions partner with industry to support economic and workforce development is considered an asset.
Lakehead University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including women, racialized persons, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and other equity-seeking groups. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. This is in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements.
Lakehead University has a goal to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as measured by increasing representation of underrepresented groups among applicants, candidates, and hires. Experience working with Indigenous or racialized communities, and/or members of other equity-deserving groups, is a strong asset. A lived experience or worked experience of any of these issues is preferred.
We appreciate your interest; Lakehead University is committed to supporting an accessible environment. Applicants requiring accommodation during the interview process should contact the Office of Human Resources at (807) 343-8010 ext. 8334 or human.resources@lakeheadu.ca to make appropriate arrangements.