Bennington College invites applications for an Associate Director of Employer Relations to join the Field Work Term and Career Development Office (FWT/CDO) to support Bennington's diverse student body in pursuing lifelong career development through individualized advising appointments, field work experiences, and more. 

The Associate Director of Employer Relations plays a crucial role in managing and coordinating both employer relations and student employment services, overseeing a comprehensive framework for work-integrated learning at Bennington, where campus employment and community internships are integral to students’ academic and professional development. 

Reporting to the Dean of Integrated Learning & Career Readiness, this position ensures the effective listing and hiring processes for on- and off-campus student employment opportunities, fostering and documenting partnerships with Field Work Term employers. This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, with on-site expectations. The Associate Director of Employer Relations interacts regularly with community partners and as such, regular meetings in and around Bennington county are expected requiring local travel and attendance at off-site meetings. The position may require occasional weekend and evening hours to support Bennington-community events. 

Qualifications 

1. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Human Resources Management, or a related field preferred.
2. 3-5 years experience in higher education administration or program administration required. Career development background is a plus. Familiarity with student employment programs and Federal Work Study regulations preferred.
3. 1-3 years of supervisory experience (coaching, mentoring, developing talent).
4. Demonstrate a commitment to equitable access to paid work opportunities and the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of campus stakeholders and external partners.
5. Strong organizational and administrative skills with the ability to manage multiple processes simultaneously.
6. Experience interpreting and implementing policies and procedures consistently and equitably. 
7. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
8. Experience working with data systems and reporting tools, including Handshake and 12Twenty. Proficiency with Google Suite; advanced Google Sheets skills preferred.

9. Experience supporting a diverse student population and promoting inclusive practices in employment and career development settings.

All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion and acceptable results of a background check. 

Bennington serves a diverse student population inclusive of members of ethnically/racially minoritized, international, LGBTQIA+, and disability communities, as well as diverse gender identities, socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, and political beliefs. Our staff and faculty also reflect diverse and intersecting backgrounds and identities. All employees are expected to be respectful and responsive to these differences in the service of building a community that promotes student and employee success and community cohesiveness. Each individual (faculty, staff and students) will be accountable for upholding these values.  The College’s approach to pluralism and inclusivity—both as fields of inquiry and practice—is to prioritize flexible thought, and to invite the examination of access, value, power, and privilege through its institutional policies and areas of study. We encourage applicants from diverse realms of interest, backgrounds, experience, and accomplishment to apply.

General Responsibilities

• Student Employment Program Administration
  • Manage hiring workflows for over 100 positions, maintaining employment records, providing guidance to supervisors and students on hiring policies, and supervision of the Student Employment Specialist. 
• Employer Engagement and Field Work Term Support
  • Foster employer partnerships and supporting the Field Work Term by managing engagement data and facilitating outreach. Collaborates with College departments to strengthen post-graduate opportunities and align engagement efforts with recruitment trends.
• Student Support and Office Generalist Responsibilities
  • Serve as a primary point of contact for students seeking guidance on employment opportunities and experiential learning. The role also triages inquiries regarding Field Work Term logistics and connects students to appropriate career resources.
• Human Resources Compliance and Program Support 
  • Ensure compliance with FERPA, institutional policies, and Federal Work Study regulations. Troubleshoot hiring workflows and payroll issues in coordination with Financial Aid, Business Office and Human Resources.
• Data and Systems Management
  • Maintain accurate data in employment databases and generate reports on hiring metrics and employer participation. Ongoing system hygiene for platforms like Handshake and 12Twenty to support assessment activities.

Compensation: The annual salary for this position starts at $78,000. 

The College

Bennington College offers a comprehensive benefits program that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance, retirement, and tuition benefits, including Tuition Exchange scholarships. The College also offers an on-site fitness center as well as generous time off benefits.

Bennington College is a small residential liberal arts college in southern Vermont, long distinguished for its progressive approach to higher education. The College was founded in 1932 on the principle of active engagement in learning, which is manifest in individualized plans of study developed by students together with faculty. We serve a diverse student population, and our faculty and staff also reflect diverse backgrounds and identities.  Our aim is to educate students towards self-fulfillment and constructive social purposes, and we believe that equity, diversity, and inclusivity--in community and in curriculum--are vital to achieving those aims.

Nestled at the foot of the Green Mountains in Vermont, the campus consists of approximately 370 acres. The College was named one of ten with the best architecture by Architectural Digest.  From campus, it is a short drive to the cultural offerings of the northern Berkshires in Massachusetts, Albany, New York, and many of Vermont’s top recreational centers. New York City, Boston, and Burlington, Vermont are all within three and a half hours by car.