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Student Recruitment & Industry Relations Specialist (opens in new window)

CSU, Chico Research Foundation, Chico, CA, United States


Student Recruitment & Industry Relations Specialist POSITION:

Student Recruitment & Industry Relations Specialist

STATUS:

Full-Time/Benefited/Salaried/ Exempt

COMPENSATION:

$70,304- $85,000 per year

DEPARTMENT:

Concrete Industry Management (CIM)

RECRUITMENT ID:

426

RESIDENCY:

Candidate must be a California resident. Chico State Enterprises is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e., H-1B Visas).

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under the direction of the Concrete Industry Management (CIM) program director, the student recruitment and industry relations specialist is responsible for the strategic development, coordination, and execution of student recruitment, program marketing, and industry relations for the Concrete Industry Management program. This position leads enrollment growth initiatives, strengthens brand visibility, cultivates industry partnerships, and supports relationships with current and prospective CIM patrons.

The incumbent collaborates with the program director, CIM faculty, associate dean, industry partners, and campus stakeholders to achieve enrollment targets, expand outreach markets, and strengthen industry engagement in support of program growth and sustainability.

This role requires extensive planning, travel, relationship management, strategic communication, data analysis, and the ability to work independently.

Recruitment Strategy, Outreach and Transfer Development (60%)

Lead the strategic planning, execution, and ongoing refinement of CIM enrollment growth initiatives.

Generate qualified applications and increase program enrollment through targeted, data-informed outreach efforts.

Develop and implement a comprehensive recruitment strategy aligned with CIM enrollment goals, including the creation of tools, schedules, and engagement initiatives needed to meet established targets.

Partner with the CIM director to define measurable enrollment objectives and recruitment priorities.

Identify, analyze, and prioritize recruitment markets using demographic trends, institutional research data, and campus-backed analytics (e.g., CS360) to optimize the recruiting circuit and travel schedule.

Monitor and manage the recruitment budget, tracking travel, events, marketing, and ambassador-related expenses to ensure fiscal responsibility and alignment with enrollment priorities; provide a monthly budget status report to the program director.

Compile recruitment reports, evaluate outreach effectiveness, and refine strategy based on performance metrics.

Represent the CIM program at high schools, community colleges, transfer fairs, college nights, industry events, and other recruitment activities throughout the market area; travel to assigned geographic markets to meet defined recruitment benchmarks.

Prepare and deliver compelling presentations to small and large audiences highlighting program value, career pathways, and industry demand.

Establish and maintain relationships with high school counselors, community college faculty, transfer advisors, alumni, and industry recruitment professionals to strengthen recruitment pipelines.

Strengthen and expand transfer pathways through consistent engagement, follow‑up communication, and relationship cultivation.

Maintain a working knowledge of university admissions policies, procedures, and eligibility requirements sufficient to engage in informed pre‑admissions conversations with prospective students and families and appropriately refer them to designated admissions or campus officials for final determination and evaluation.

Donor Support Administration and Industry Engagement (25%)

Serve as the primary administrative liaison to CIM Chico patrons, coordinating communication related to program updates, events, student engagement, recruitment initiatives, and sponsorship activities, including invoicing and donation tracking.

Maintain and regularly update a comprehensive database of current patrons, alumni industry contacts, and prospective patron organizations, tracking engagement history, sponsorship levels, participation metrics, and partnership activity.

Research and identify potential new patron companies through industry analysis, alumni networks, referrals, and market review; assist the program director with outreach preparation and follow‑up communications.

Assist in the planning and execution of patron board meetings, industry networking events, recruitment events involving industry participation, and fundraising initiatives, including scheduling, logistics, materials preparation, RSVP tracking, and post‑event coordination.

Marketing and Brand Presence Management (5%)

Serve as the primary liaison to the outsourced marketing firm managing CIM’s structured social media drip campaigns and recruitment advertising efforts.

Coordinate messaging priorities, enrollment timelines, campaign themes, and program updates to ensure alignment between marketing strategy, admissions timelines, and CIM initiatives.

Provide timely program content, images, student success stories, and industry highlights to support externally managed campaigns.

Develop and publish real‑time social media content showcasing current program activities, student achievements, industry engagement, competitions, travel, and campus involvement.

Maintain a consistent, timely, and authentic digital presence across social platforms.

Respond to inquiries and audience engagement on social platforms in coordination with recruitment initiatives.

Collaborate with campus communications and the external marketing firm to ensure adherence to university brand standards and messaging guidelines.

Identify opportunities to increase program visibility through industry partnerships, alumni features, student success spotlights, and event coverage.

Maintain and organize a current library of marketing assets, including photos, videos, testimonials, and patron highlights.

Student Ambassador Program

Identify, recruit, and participate in the hiring of CIM Student Ambassadors in collaboration with the program director.

Develop role expectations, provide orientation, and ensure ambassadors are trained to effectively represent the program.

Manage ambassador scheduling, assignments, and hourly workload in alignment with recruitment events, campus visits, industry functions, and outreach initiatives.

Coordinate ambassador participation to broaden recruiting reach geographically and demographically, ensuring diverse student perspectives are represented.

Monitor performance, provide ongoing guidance, and evaluate effectiveness of ambassador engagement in supporting enrollment goals.

Data Analytics, Reporting and Systems Management (5%)

Utilize Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems (e.g., Salesforce/CS360 or equivalent), admissions platforms, and university databases to track prospective student engagement from inquiry through enrollment.

Utilize university admissions and transfer evaluation systems (e.g., Cal State Apply, ASSIST.org, PeopleSoft, CollegeSource, or similar platforms) to support recruitment tracking, transfer pathway development, and data accuracy.

Maintain accurate and current records of outreach activity, recruitment travel, school contacts, event participation, and industry engagement.

Develop and monitor recruitment pipeline metrics, including inquiry generation, application conversion rates, geographic yield, transfer trends, and enrollment outcomes.

Analyze demographic, geographic, and trend data to inform recruiting circuit planning, market prioritization, and articulation development.

Evaluate performance of externally managed marketing campaigns in coordination with the marketing firm, using engagement metrics, click‑through rates, inquiry sources, and application data to assess return on effort.

Generate regular recruitment and marketing performance reports for the program director, identifying trends, gaps, and recommended strategic adjustments.

QUALIFICATIONS

Ability to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse environment.

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four‑year college or university in communications, marketing, business administration, public administration, or a related field.

A minimum of three years of professional experience in the related field is preferred but not required.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of recruitment strategy and enrollment management principles.

Knowledge of marketing and brand development strategies.

Knowledge of industry partnership development and relationship management.

Proficiency in CRM systems and data tracking tools.

Understanding of university organizational structure and procedures.

Knowledge of social media and digital outreach strategies.

Ability to plan strategically and execute effectively.

Strong public speaking and professional presentation skills.

Ability to cultivate relationships and engage stakeholders.

Ability to analyze data and prepare reports.

Demonstrated ability to organize, multitask, and manage time effectively.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Sound, professional judgment and problem‑solving abilities.

Ability to work independently with limited supervision.

Ability to use initiative and resourcefulness in planning work assignments and travel.

Ability to perform additional duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS This position requires extensive travel, including frequent driving and flying; a valid REAL‑ID compliant driver’s license or passport is required for domestic air travel. Gas mileage for work‑related travel is reimbursed in accordance with organizational policy. Work may alternate between extended periods of sitting at a desk using standard office equipment and frequent movement throughout the office. The incumbent may be required to deliver presentations to large groups, sometimes in noisy environments and often without the use of microphones or other amplification devices. Must be able to travel across campus to attend meetings and events and lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including criminal records check) is required for employment. Chico State Enterprises will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current Chico State Enterprises employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Candidate must be in possession of a valid driver’s license and automobile liability insurance. Participation in the DMV Employer Pull Notice Program (driving record) is required. The candidate will be required to update their insurance with Chico State Enterprises Human Resources when necessary.

BENEFITS Benefits for employees working 30 hours or more per week include employer‑paid life insurance ($50,000) and long‑term disability; options for health, dental, and vision insurance; FSA; paid holidays including 1 personal holiday; vacation accrual (initially 10 days/year); sick leave (up to 12 days/year); employer contributions to a 403(b) retirement plan (up to 8%).

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Chico State Enterprises provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. It is Chico State Enterprises’ policy to hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. All new employees must provide proof of identity and authorization to work.

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