Champlain College seeks a strategic and relationship-driven leader to serve as the inaugural Director of Employer and Corporate Relations, establishing and expanding partnerships through the College’s new centralized hub, the Champlain Exchange. This role will create pathways for internships, cooperative education, and experiential learning opportunities with leading organizations in Vermont and beyond.

The Director will identify and cultivate new employer partners, secure partnerships, facilitate collaboration between employers and college stakeholders, and nurture long-term collaborative relationships that benefit both students and employers. One of the early key initiatives will be to launch a co-operative education program.

The Director will work closely with academic departments and other members of the leadership team, and serve as a trusted advisor to employers seeking talent, understanding their workforce needs and strategizing with them about future partnership opportunities.

The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with a passion for student success. They will have demonstrated success in experiential learning, workforce development and / or business development.
This is a transformational opportunity to join Champlain College as we continue to engage new industry partnerships and launch a newly designed and even more career-focused academic model!

Key Responsibilities

Employer Relations & Partnership Development

• Cultivate prospective employer partners and understand opportunities to support their needs through experiential learning, internships and co-operative education.
• Negotiate and finalize multi-year employer partnership agreements
• Provide on-going support to employer partners and facilitate collaboration with Champlain College

Program Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and implement a comprehensive vision for the cooperative education program that aligns with institutional goals and student success outcomes
• Establish program policies, procedures, and assessment frameworks to ensure quality and continuous improvement
• Analyze program data and trends to inform strategic decisions and demonstrate program impact
• Manage the administration and evaluation of programs and employer relations / engagement
  

Faculty & Academic Integration

• Collaborate with academic departments to support the integration of experiential learning projects with curriculum and learning outcomes
• Work with faculty to develop field-specific co-op opportunities and ensure academic rigor
• Facilitate faculty understanding of experiential learning initiatives and employer expectations
  

Team Management & Operations

• Develop messaging and frameworks that communicate the Champlain Exchanges’s work with employers.
• Manage program budget and resources effectively
• Develop and oversee co-op management systems and ensure accurate record-keeping and compliance
• Provide leadership to relevant coordinators and support staff

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, Business, or related field
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in experiential learning in higher education, workforce development, business development and/or related partnership-focused role
• Demonstrated success in building and maintaining employer partnerships
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with diverse stakeholders
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Experience with data analysis and impact assessment
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, Business, or related field
• Thorough knowledge of federal regulations related to internships and co-ops (FLSA, F-1 visa requirements)
• Strong knowledge of co-op program models, best practices, and accreditation standards
• Proficiency with student information systems and co-op management platforms
• Certified Cooperative Education Professional (CCEP) or willingness to obtain certification
• Experience with employer advisory boards and industry partnerships
• Experience leading cross-departmental teams and fostering collaboration among academic and administrative stakeholders.

Competencies

• Partnership development
• Relationship-building and multi-stakeholder management
• Strategic thinking and new program development
• Student-centered advising and mentoring
• Data-driven decision making
• Leadership and team development
  

Compensation & Benefits:

• Annual Salary: $80,000 – 90,000
• Comprehensive Benefits Package:
  • Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance with HSA and FSA options
  • Paid Time off: 16 holidays, 4 weeks of vacation, 2 weeks sick time and 2 days of personal leave
  • Retirement: 403(b) plan with 3% employer matching contribution
  • Education: Tuition benefits for employees and family members
  • Wellness: Gym discount and Wellness programs with up to $300 annual incentives
  • Welfare: Short-term and long-term disability coverage, plus life insurance
  • Other Perks: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with counseling services, access to employee discounts and local/national benefit programs

Application Instructions:

To apply, please follow the link below and submit the following application materials:

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter addressing the desired qualifications and how your experiences contribute to the academic excellence and inclusive community at Champlain College.

The College seeks candidates who can enhance its mission through their work, life experiences, service, teaching, or research. Please include specific examples of how you would contribute to these efforts in your Cover Letter.

To streamline our hiring process and ensure fairness for all candidates, we manage all recruitment communications through our online application system. Please do not call regarding your application status. We'll reach out directly if we'd like to schedule an interview.

The successful completion of a criminal background check is required as a condition of employment.

Champlain College does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, religion, age, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, veteran or military service status, HIV -positive status, qualified disability, or on the basis of any other status protected by law, and does not discriminate in the administration of its education and admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, employment practices or co-curricular and other College-administered programs. Champlain College will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified students, applicants for admission or employment, or employees.

Champlain College is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming community. We believe that bringing together individuals with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences enriches education and strengthens our community. At Champlain, all members are valued as individuals and respected for their unique contributions.

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Founded in 1878, Champlain College is a small, private, not-for-profit college in Burlington, Vermont overlooking Lake Champlain and the Adirondack mountains. Its career-driven approach to higher education prepares students for professional life from their very first semester. For the fifth year in a row, Champlain was named a "Most Innovative School" in the North by U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" 2020 regional rankings and ranked #9 on The Princeton Review's "2025 Top Schools for Game Design."

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Champlain College seeks a strategic and relationship-driven leader to serve as the inaugural Director of Employer and Corporate Relations, establishing and expanding partnerships through the College’s new centralized hub, the Champlain Exchange.