Employer Engagement Specialist

Department: Student Affairs 

Job Type: Continuing

Full-time/Part-time: Full Time (>=1249 hrs/year) 

Campus: Waterloo 

Reports to: Manager, Employer Relations & Recruitment

Employee Group: WLUSA 

Application Deadline: June 19, 2025

Requisition ID: 9715 

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier’s thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Laurier's Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict.  Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

Position Summary

The Career Development Centre engages students and alumni in their career development as an integral part of the Laurier experience. This encompasses delivery of comprehensive programs and services that support experiential learning, career decision making, employment preparation, facilitation of connections with the employer community, and pursuit of further education opportunities. Specific programs and services include individual consultation and workshops on career planning, resumé writing, job search strategies, interview skills and further education; a Career Resource Centre; comprehensive employment services for full-time, summer and part-time opportunities for students and alumni; volunteerism; career-integrated learning in conjunction with campus partners; co-curricular experiential learning opportunities; online resources; numerous events such as career panels, employment recruiting sessions, Job Fairs,  a Further Education Fair; and the Laurier Experience Record.

Within the Employer Relations & Recruitment Unit of the Career Centre, the incumbent is responsible for coordinating the operation of employer recruiting services for immediate opportunities, marketing, event coordination, and programs such as the Laurier Alumni Career Hub and 10 Thousand Coffees.

The Employer Relations & Recruitment unit is centralized at the Waterloo campus, but has responsibility for all campuses. This includes employer marketing, job processing and the provision of services for students. related to part-time, summer and full-time employment opportunities. This requires regular interpersonal interactions and collaboration with departments at the Waterloo Campus, the Brantford Campus, the Kitchener Campus and external employer organizations. Special attention is given to ensuring equitable service delivery across all locations.  

This role has a university-wide mandate and travel to other campuses and locations may be required to attend meetings or events.

Accountabilities

Employer and Alumni Marketing and Communication

• Develop and execute employer marketing campaigns through multiple channels, including designing and distributing targeted email newsletters (e.g., Employer, Alumni, GSES, Summer, and part-time job updates), producing hard copy promotional materials, and coordinating employer-facing content on LinkedIn.
• Responsible for setting the marketing strategy for employers and alumni audiences in collaboration with the Manager.

• Manage, edit, and update employer and alumni web content, collaborating with the Experiential Learning and Career Development team.

• Create, schedule, and distribute employer and alumni targeted emails, coordinating with the Career Centres calendar to avoid conflicts.
• Lead the marketing design and messaging for seasonal or targeted newsletters (e.g., employer, alumni, graduating student, summer, part-time).
• Create compelling, brand-aligned content for newsletters, LinkedIn, Instagram, and other external-facing platforms.
• Write, edit, and proofread copy for newsletters, employer spotlights, job postings, event promotions, and alumni career stories
• Maintain and update employer communications calendars and content plans in collaboration with the Manager of Employer Relations and Recruitment and Event Planning and Outreach Coordinator.
• Represent Laurier Employer Relations and Recruitment during on-campus events such as employer recruiting sessions and externally at community events such as Communitech, Chamber of Commerce and other tradeshows.
• Conduct introductory calls with new employer partners to provide an overview of Career Centre services, discuss recruitment strategies tailored to their goals, and ensure a smooth onboarding experience.
• Adjust marketing strategies based on engagement metrics and feedback from stakeholders.

• Regularly report on metrics to the Manager.

 Employer Event Co-ordination 

• Co-ordinate logistics for fairs, employer recruiting sessions and recruiting tables.
• Plan, organize, and execute various career fairs and industry-specific fairs to connect students and alumni with potential employers and career opportunities. Fairs include but not limited to: Careers in Accounting, Careers in Criminology, Careers in Education, Careers in Insurance.
• Determine best possible dates and times after considering stakeholders’ needs (students and employers) and logistical constraints (e.g., room availability).  
• Book rooms, confirm target audiences, identify technical needs, provide parking information, obtain job postings and promote recruiting events using various methods (e.g., events calendar, social media and emails to student clubs).
• Co-ordinate catering details (e.g., event date, delivery time, room set-up and take down).  
• Prepare and ensure liquor license requests are submitted in time for necessary approvals. 
• Record event attendance numbers for statistical purposes.
• Follow up with employers to obtain feedback regarding sessions and use information to inform future event planning.
• Complete Event Summary Report after each fair.

Program Coordination:

Laurier Alumni Career Hub

• Lead coordinator for the Laurier Alumni Career Hub.
• Create and maintain engaging alumni-facing content (e.g., newsletters, social media posts) to promote career resources and events.
• Develop and promote career development programming tailored to alumni at various career stages.
• Coordinate the alumni newsletter with a focus on career content, upcoming events, and success stories.
• Represent the Career Centre at alumni events and professional networking opportunities to raise awareness of alumni career services.
• Foster alumni engagement to post job opportunities, participate in panel discussions, and mentor current students on 10 Thousand Coffees, leveraging their expertise to strengthen the Laurier community.
• Track alumni engagement with career services, analyze feedback, and generate reports to inform service improvements.

10 Thousand Coffees

• Serve as the primary lead for the Career Centre’s 10 Thousand Coffees community, managing the platform's strategy, day-to-day operations, and long-term growth to foster meaningful connections between students, alumni, and employers.
• Host regular virtual office hours and onboarding sessions to support users, increase platform engagement, and ensure students and partners understand how to maximize networking and mentorship opportunities.
• Coordinate and schedule employer and alumni participation, curating relevant discussion topics and ensuring a diverse representation of industries and career paths.
• Develop and implement strategies to increase student involvement, promote platform benefits, and build a vibrant, active community aligned with the Career Centre’s goals.

Student Club Liaison

• Foster and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with student clubs and organizations to ensure open lines of communication and alignment on shared goals related to career development and employer engagement.
• Coordinate and support joint events and initiatives between student clubs and the Career Centre, including employer panels, networking nights, and recruitment events.
• Serve as a resource and liaison for student clubs seeking guidance, employer connections, or co-branded opportunities, ensuring mutual support and increased visibility for both student-led and institutional efforts.

Employer Recruiting Coordination

• Advise employer representatives with establishing their on-campus recruiting programs (e.g., application deadlines, on-campus interview dates, briefing and testing sessions, and employer recruiting sessions). 
• Clarify job posting details with employers. Assess the recruiting needs of employers. Ensure that job postings target the appropriate and intended audiences. Ensure that job postings maximize the number of targeted academic disciplines. 
• Upload, revise and approve job postings in Navigator (online Career Centre portal). In processing job postings, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring adherence to Employment Standards, Human Rights Legislation, Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers (CACEE) guidelines, and departmental policies such as working with third-party recruiters, franchise operations, straight commission positions, unpaid internship guidelines etc.The number of jobs posted annually is approximately 3000 for alumni.
• Maintain records related to all aspects of employer recruiting activities (e.g. marketing contacts, employer events, student event registrations, job applications, interviews granted, interview rooms used etc.). Compile data for annual reports and monthly statistical reports. 
• Manage all logistics for on-campus employer recruitment sessions, including booking rooms, coordinating A/V needs, arranging catering, and ensuring a seamless experience for both employers and students.
• Serve as the host for employer information sessions, including welcoming attendees, managing registration, and introducing hiring managers to students to foster engagement.

Employer Relations & Recruitment Team Responsibilities  

• Contribute to service provision in the other areas of Employer Relations and Recruitment during peak periods and vacations (i.e., process job postings, create interview schedules, and plan/execute employer events). 
• Update contact information in the employer database (approximately 2000 employer and community partners per year). Participate in database update projects as required.
• Provide backup and support for Employer Relations and Recruitment Unit, including front line coverage.
• Research organizations and current employment opportunities using online resources including company websites, job boards, employer directories, LinkedIn, etc. to solicit job postings and promote services to employers. 
• Maintain accurate records of activity within the unit and prepare monthly and year-end statistical reports. 
• Assist in the maintenance and accuracy of the employer database (approx. 10,000 employer organizations and 20,000 contacts) on an annual basis. 
• Contribute to the setting and attainment of goals by participating as a team member within the department.
• Act as the first point of contact for all visitors (students, employers, staff, faculty, alumni) to the Career Centre.Answer inquiries about the Career Centre and ensure that visitors are directed to the appropriate resource materials and/or person(s).
• Participate in departmental activities: staff meetings, data collection for the graduate survey, staffing of large events (e.g. Further Education Fair, P4E Fairs etc.), professional development activities, team building events, and ad hoc committees.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years related experience related to marketing, public relations, or human resources.
• Knowledge of employer recruitment cycles and labour market trends.

• Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic communication plans across multiple channels involving the creation and sharing of all types of varied multimedia communications (graphics, videos, social media, newsletters, webpages, articles, emails, video podcasts, etc.) is required.
• Exceptional copywriting and editing skills acquired through demonstrated work experience; ability to tailor communications to specific target audiences and various platforms (email, web, social media, etc.).

• Demonstrated experience in planning and executing large-scale events or career fairs, including managing critical paths, coordinating multiple stakeholders, and ensuring timely delivery of all event components.
• Ability to market the value of Laurier’s students and graduates to the employer community.
• Ability to prioritize multiple demands and deliver exceptional customer service/client relations to employers, alumni, students.
• Ability to maintain accuracy during highly repetitive job processes (job postings).
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, work independently, and proactively identify opportunities to improve communication and engagement strategies.

• Excellent customer service skills including strong service orientation (responsive to clients’ needs/expectations);

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to deal with challenging clients/situations;
• Strong organizational skills, good problem-solving skills, and the ability to handle multiple priorities and meet short deadlines;
• Excellent ability to deal with high-pressure situations with tact and diplomacy.

Hours of work

This is a Full-time, continuing position. The normal hours of work are 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday; as well as Wednesdays from 11am to 7pm on a rotating basis. Flexibility in hours may be required, including evening and/or weekend work due to periods of high volume. When possible, the manager will adjust hours to ensure no more than 35 hours are worked in a week.

This role offers limited flexibility regarding flexible work arrangements. Please see Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy) for more information. All arrangement must be approved by the direct manager. On occasion, this schedule may need to be adjusted to meet operational requirements.

Compensation

Level: E

Rate of Pay: $41.09 to $43.44 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $46.96 per hour

Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.