Senior Manager-Career Partnerships

Linfield University | University Advancement

Position Type: Full-Time (1.0 FTE)
FLSA Status: Exempt
Department: University Advancement
Reports To: Vice President for University Advancement
Effective Date: October 2026

Linfield University is seeking a dynamic, collaborative and relationship-driven Senior Manager of Career Partnerships to lead its Center for Career and Life Design. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional who is passionate about connecting students with meaningful career opportunities, building strong employer partnerships and helping students successfully transition from college to career.

Reporting to the Vice President for University Advancement, the Senior Manager provides strategic leadership for the Center while taking an active, hands-on role in employer engagement, career development and student support. This position is responsible for expanding Linfield's network of local, regional and national employers, creating high-value internships and career opportunities, and strengthening connections between academic programs and professional pathways.

The Senior Manager serves as the Center's primary liaison to the University's graduate and professional programs, including the School of Business, School of Nursing and Education Department. Working closely with Academic Affairs, University Advancement, alumni, parents and industry partners, this position helps ensure Linfield students are prepared to succeed in an evolving workforce.

As a leader and active contributor, the Senior Manager supervises two professional staff members, oversees Center operations and advances initiatives that support student career readiness, experiential learning and strong postgraduate outcomes. The Center also provides career development resources to recent alumni.

• Build, cultivate and maintain strong relationships with local, regional and national employers to expand internship, externship, job shadowing and full-time employment opportunities for Linfield students.

• Strategically grow Linfield's employer network by leveraging connections with alumni, parents, trustees and other University partners.

• Develop employer-sponsored projects, recruiting partnerships and hiring pipelines that connect students with meaningful professional experiences.

• Plan and lead career fairs, employer panels, networking events and other opportunities that bring students and employers together.

• Maintain accurate employer engagement records and track recruitment and placement outcomes using CatConnect/Handshake and related systems.

• Collaborate with University Advancement to align employer and corporate outreach with broader constituent engagement and fundraising strategies.

• Partner closely with the Senior Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement to engage alumni, parents and other constituents in supporting student career success.

• Serve as the primary career development liaison to Linfield's graduate and professional programs, building collaborative relationships with deans, program directors and faculty.

• Provide individualized career counseling and guidance to students pursuing specialized professional pathways.

• Develop and deliver classroom presentations, career workshops and professional development programming tailored to specific academic disciplines.

• Connect students and academic programs with relevant employers, industry professionals and alumni to strengthen internship and employment opportunities.

• Support the development of industry-specific recruiting relationships and career pathways that align with students' academic and professional goals.

• Provide leadership, supervision, coaching and performance evaluation for the Manager of Experiential Learning Opportunities and Career Advisor.

• Establish strategic goals, priorities and initiatives that advance the Center's mission and support University objectives.

• Oversee the Center's budget, technology systems, policies, programming and annual calendar.

• Develop and monitor measures of success, including internship participation, employer engagement, student satisfaction and postgraduate career outcomes.

• Collect, analyze and communicate results to inform program improvements and demonstrate the Center's impact.

• Ensure career development services and resources are available to recent Linfield alumni.

• Represent the Center for Career and Life Design in meetings with University leadership, trustees, employers and other external partners.

• Partner with academic deans, faculty and advisors to integrate career exploration, professional development and career readiness into the student academic experience.

• Collaborate with academic programs to expand experiential learning opportunities, internships and classroom-based career programming.

• Align career development initiatives with academic objectives and the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) career readiness competencies.

• Perform other duties as assigned to support University Advancement and the broader mission of Linfield University.

• Bachelor's degree in business, communications, public relations or a related field.

• Minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in employer relations, career services, corporate partnerships, recruiting or a related field.

• Demonstrated success developing, expanding and sustaining productive relationships with employers and external partners.

• Experience supervising employees or leading professional teams.

• Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.

• Strong organizational skills, sound judgment and the ability to independently manage competing priorities.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, faculty, University leadership and external partners in a goal-oriented team environment.

• Experience using data to evaluate program effectiveness, measure outcomes and communicate results.

• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.

• Valid driver's license, satisfactory driving record and ability to obtain and maintain certification to operate Linfield University vehicles.

• Master's degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling or a related field.

• Professional experience working in a college or university career center.

• Established network of employers and industry contacts in the Pacific Northwest.

• Familiarity with career services technology and CRM platforms, including CatConnect/Handshake or comparable systems.

This position primarily works in an office environment, with regular interaction with students, faculty, staff, employers and external partners. The role may require travel to meetings, conferences, recruiting events and other professional activities.

Essential physical requirements include prolonged sitting, frequent standing and walking, climbing stairs, and repetitive hand and wrist movements associated with computer work. Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling of materials weighing up to 40 pounds may be required, along with occasional exposure to outdoor weather conditions when traveling between campus buildings.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

At Linfield University, we believe education should open doors to meaningful careers, lifelong learning and opportunities to make a difference. As a member of University Advancement, the Senior Manager of Career Partnerships plays an important role in helping students turn their academic experiences into successful professional futures.

This position offers the opportunity to lead a dedicated team, build lasting relationships with employers and alumni, and create career pathways that have a direct impact on student success and social mobility. You'll join a collaborative, mission-driven community that values innovation, personal connections and the transformative power of a Linfield education.

Help shape the future of career development at Linfield University and make a lasting difference in the lives of our students and alumni.

Linfield University is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive community that values diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. We believe that diversity enriches the educational experience, strengthens our community and contributes to academic and professional excellence.

We encourage applications from individuals who share our commitment to creating an environment of mutual respect, belonging and opportunity for all students, faculty and staff.