CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATIONSHIP MANAGER (HYBRI

UNIT/PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The DeGroote’s Student Experience team supports all students at the DeGroote School of Business – MBA, BCom, specialized graduate programs and PhD students.  As an integrated team, we champion new ideas, collaborate across boundaries, and learn continually to deliver a consistent and inspiring student experience.  Our school’s culture is captured by the values of collaboration, community, inclusivity, innovation and integrity.

As part of Student Experience, the Career and Professional Development (CPD) team delivers innovative excellence in three key areas: Career Development, Strategic Employer Partnerships and Experiential Learning, supporting more than 3000 Commerce and over 500 MBA students each year and up to 100 Master of Finance students.  There are team members at both the Burlington and Hamilton locations of the business school.

The BCom programs attract more than 800 incoming students each year and offers the largest undergraduate business internship program in Ontario. The Relationship Manager – Early Career Development works directly with students to support and assist them in achieving their desired career outcomes. Through one-on-one career coaching, workshops and career courses, the incumbent delivers excellence in career development programming. 

The portfolio of the Relationship Manager  – Early Career Development would be primarily focused on the successful integration of career exploration within the first and second year of study of undergraduate business students. The incumbant would champion CPD’s initiatives within curriculum including Commerce 1GR0, Commerce 2GR0 and Commerce 2IN0 (Career Development Course). In addition, this role would develop resources and facilitate programming that supports DeGroote’s career model and promotes the Career and Professional Development team among the student population. This includes the development of engaging materials and resources, in-person and virtual events and the creation of mutually beneficial partnerships with Faculty, student clubs and other departments across campus.

The BCom student population and employer partners are comprised of individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. The school, faculty and staff are committed to building an inclusive community supporting all individuals.    

JOB SUMMARY:

Responsible for planning, organizing and coordinating career development placements. Promotes student development, success and retention, and encourages career achievement by conducting interviews with students dealing with career choice, educational direction and goal progress.  

PURPOSE AND KEY FUNCTIONS:

• Identify, develop, and cultivate strategic employer relationships in the business community.
• Interview students to assess suitability and make decisions on admittance to the program.
• Interview employer partners to understand recruitment needs.
• Provide individual coaching services and guidance in developing self-marketing and branding tools including, but not limited to, job search strategies, resume critiques, preparation of cover letters and personal statements, interview skills, networking, portfolio development, and negotiation skills. 
• Conduct mock interviews by creating specific questions that are relevant to the field of employment students are pursuing, and then provide constructive feedback to students.
• Conduct post-work placement interviews with students to discuss experiences and future goals.
• Write career and skill development materials, and design interview tools.
• Write a variety of documents including, but not limited to, reference letters, correspondence and workshop plans. Create, implement and maintain policies and procedures related to the program and career services offered.
• Facilitate or lead career development workshops.
• Coordinate and accompany students on site visits and discuss work objectives.
• Create promotional materials to market program to potential applicants, visitors, and representatives from other institutions at fairs and open house events.
• Plan and coordinate costs, logistics and resources, including catering and audio visual equipment, for career events, information sessions, workshops and speaker presentations.
• Calculate travel expenses for attendance at site visits, seminars, conferences and professional development.
• Track attendance of students using services and compare statistics from previous years.
• Gather, compile, and analyze information identifying labour market data, trends, and job opportunities. 
• Review current labour markets and research current trends within professional careers and employment requirements including skill level and comparable salaries offered.
• Request participation and invite employers to post-employment opportunities within the department.
• Act as a liaison between faculty, staff and students to ensure the timely communication of information and adherence to policies and procedures.
• Participate in meetings with students to discuss and provide guidance regarding individual career options.
• Assemble and distribute materials and packages.
• Understand and stay current on employment legislation and government mandates.

SUPERVISION:

• Provide direction to others in how to carry out work tasks.
• Ensures adherence to quality standards and procedures for short-term staff and volunteers.

ASSETS:

• This is role will be focused on supporting BCom students with their career discovery, exploration and summer job search and will be located primarily on the main campus in Hamilton with some required work at the Ron Joyce Centre in Burlington.
• Excellent written and presentation skills are essential.
• Previous experience in developing and facilitating workshops, public speaking and managing projects are necessary. 
• Understanding of coaching best practices and adult learning theories/principles.
• Proven coaching and facilitation skills and throughout knowledge of career coaching and job search skills are necessary with preference given to experience coaching diverse undergraduate student populations.
• Must have a good understanding of the BCom student and employer job market in Canada with knowledge and/or experience across industry sectors and career pathways in accounting, finance, consulting, marketing and HR.
• Previous experience in an educational environment (career education preferred) or on-campus/corporate recruitment preferred.
•  Experience in working with volunteers.
• Knowledge of labour laws, employment standards act, adult learning theories and best practices in experiential learning.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment, effectively prioritize activities and manage stress with a high degree of maturity and professionalism are critical.
• Computer literacy is non-negotiable with particular emphasis on Content Management Systems; Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint; and social media tools.
• Understanding of online learning tools is an asset.
• Demonstrated integrity, initiative, flexibility and creative problem solving, with a commitment to excellence and results orientation.
• Activities outside of normal business hours, especially during peak times of the year, are expected.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The incumbent must be a self starter and will work as part of a multi-incumbent team to deliver high quality and impactful career development services and programs.