Account Specialist, Applied Learning & Employer Relations

at Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas, United States

Job Description

Job Story

Some professionals wait for opportunities to come to them. Others go out and build them.

We are seeking a dynamic, relationship‑driven professional to help connect employers with our students for Applied Learning Opportunities. Think of this position as part relationship builder, part strategic advisor, and part opportunity architect.

You’ll serve as the point person connecting employers, campus partners, and students to meaningful applied learning opportunities such as internships, experiential projects, and career-building experiences. You’ll be out in the community, meeting with employers, attending business and nonprofit events, learning what organizations truly need and then helping translate those needs into opportunities for students. WSU students completed 12,000+ Applied Learning experiences last year engaging with more than 700 different employers and earning nearly $40 million.

The Type of Person Who Thrives Here:

• Naturally builds trust and relationships wherever they go
• Is comfortable walking into a new room and starting meaningful conversations
• Knows how to balance networking with accountability and follow-through
• Is highly organized and can manage details while maintaining strong external partnerships
• Listens carefully, asks thoughtful questions, and uncovers opportunities others might miss through investigative questions
• Operates with integrity and earns the long-term trust of partners and colleagues
• Communicates insights from employers back to the team to improve student opportunities
• Enjoys being a key collaborator helping a team of highly passionate people, connect the right students to the right opportunities.

Job Summary

Oversee engagement efforts that foster business and University educational alliances to address industry needs and provide student-learning opportunities. Coordinate and administer the day-to-day operational activities of advising, retention, marketing, advocacy, and training.

Essential Functions

• Engage with leadership, faculty, staff and/or other community partners to build programs and educational services that foster applied learning opportunities. Cultivate existing and identify new opportunities for partnerships, collaborations, and service enhancements.
• Establish sustainable processes, key performance metrics, management tools and reporting capabilities to achieve and measure progress towards University strategic goals. Communicate and document program results, quality outcomes, and progress metrics to stakeholders.
• Assist with operational development and coordination, with related departments, to facilitate recruitment, outreach, communications, and/or marketing of related programs and services.
• Oversee the administration of applied learning service contracts and agreements with partners, ensuring quality service delivery and recruitment.

Job Duties

• Employer & Community Engagement

• Develop and maintain relationships with employers to expand and enhance applied learning opportunities
• Connect employers with key stakeholders on campus, both faculty and staff, who oversee academic related to applied learning experiences
• Conduct physical and virtual site visits to current and potential internship locations to evaluate student learning/work environments and maintain employer relationships
• Advise and develop recruitment strategies and activities for employers to attract and hire students in applied learning opportunities
• Participate in area business, nonprofit, and chamber of commerce activities to promote applied learning and foster community partnerships

• Student Advising & Support

• Collaborate regularly with student facing team to empower students to apply for opportunities
• Support student facing events and secure employer participation in those events, i.e. career fairs, workshops, panels and more
• Educate student facing team and other campus stakeholders on resources concerning applied learning opportunities

• Program Coordination & Data Management

• Maintain accurate records of employer interaction and postings through Shocker Central, WSU’s online career portal for employers and students
• Provide regular employer activity updates to internal staff
• Support the collection of post-graduation outcomes and applied learning outcomes

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Desire to be part of much larger mission and vision
• Eagerness to be at the forefront of University and Industry Engagement
• Ability to work autonomously, while making sound judgements & pivoting quickly for follow up
• Understands the need to respond quickly & capitalize when partners are engaging
• Ability to appropriately prioritize tasks within project deadlines
• Clear, concise & effective communication with diverse populations

Additional Information:

Physical Requirements:

Ability to remain in a stationary position. Frequent 60-90%
Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators. Frequent 60-90%
Ability to communicate with others and accurately exchange information. Frequent 60-90%
Ability to interpret effectively, accurately and impartially, both receptively and expressively. Frequent 60-90%
Ability to move or traverse across campus, within buildings and offices, and/or across external environments. Occasional 30-60%

Additional Physical Requirement: