Assistant Director of Employer Relations , Nicholas School of the Environment

The Nicholas School of the Environment (NSOE) Student Services Office supports approximately 350 students across various environmental 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.

About the role

As the Assistant Director of Employer Relations (Career Specialist, Senior), you’ll play a pivotal role in supporting graduate students in exploring career pathways and securing internships and full-time opportunities. This high-impact role combines career coaching and advising with strategic employer development.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Qualifications

• 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.

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.

Benefits

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 goes beyond 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 on collaboration, 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.