Associate Director, Employer Relations

Salary Range: $84,000.00 to $92,000.00, Annually

The Washington Center (TWC) is a nonprofit organization that partners with hundreds of universities in the U.S. and abroad to provide a credit-bearing Academic Internship Program in Washington, D.C. In this role, you will lead a results-driven team of Employer Relations Managers focused on partnership acquisition, retention and portfolio optimization across our network of 600+ employer partners spanning 14 industries. Building on our high retention rate, you will oversee the full employer engagement lifecycle while serving as a trusted advisor helping organizations navigate evolving workforce trends and Gen Z talent management. The ideal candidate will bring strategic account management expertise, strong consultative skills and the ability to position TWC as an essential partner that not only provides quality interns but also equips employers with the tools and insights they need to succeed with emerging talent. You will ensure our portfolio meets the academic and professional development needs of hundreds of students participating in fall/spring and summer terms.

The Washington Center is a remote/hybrid organization with many employees working on average one day per week in TWC’s Residential and Academic Facility, conveniently located near Union Station and public transportation in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Given our organizational mission focus on skills, workforce development and collaboration, there are times where cross-collaboration among teams and departments will require more than one day per week in the office. Further, some programs at TWC do require program staff to work nights and/or weekends. The individual in this role is expected to reside in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Essential Functions

Portfolio Management and Quality Assurance

Managing a team of Employer Relations Managers, expand the portfolio from current 550+ internship provider organizations, maintaining high retention while achieving net growth targets.
Analyze and segment partner portfolio by industry, internship quality, stipend levels and student demand.
Conduct supply/demand planning to support ~600 students in internships annually.
Develop strategies to maintain competitive advantage in D.C.'s saturated summer internship market.
Balance portfolio between sectors like Political Science, Advocacy, Business, International Affairs and emerging fields such as Cybersecurity.
Optimize mix of compensated and quality unpaid opportunities to serve students from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Establish and oversee employer vetting protocols to ensure partner alignment with organizational values and student safety requirements.
Conduct strategic site visits (virtual, hybrid and in-person) for new partner evaluation and existing partner quality assurance.
Oversee collaboration between Employer Partnerships and Program Advisors to ensure effective cross-department communication, facilitate successful student-employer matches and triage issues as needed.
Serve as the Employer Relations representative on the Student Cases Committee, facilitating information flow and ensuring appropriate resolution of student/internship cases.
Conduct regular check-ins to provide ongoing support and gather insights on student performance trends.

Business Development

Lead strategic acquisition efforts targeting 50+ new partners annually while maintaining TWC’S high retention rate.
Position TWC as a trusted workforce development partner that helps organizations navigate generational changes and evolving communication styles in the workplace.
Develop value propositions demonstrating how TWC's structured support system helps employers successfully manage Gen Z talent.
Create and deploy employer education resources addressing generational workforce trends and best practices for intern management.
Drive retention through proactive partnership support, achieving 85%+ successful placement rate.

Data Management, Metrics and Reporting

Oversee the team’s use of Salesforce (CRM) and Simplicity (internship matching platform), ensuring data integrity across the organization.
Partner with Chief Growth & Strategy Officer to establish and monitor KPIs for acquisition, retention and matching rates.
Monitor team's tracking of application status, interviews, offers and successful internships to ensure achievement of weekly and seasonal goals.
Ensure team maintains comprehensive employer data including account details, preferences and relationship nuances.
Monitor and improve upon 87% internship partner retention rate and 84.7% successful internship rate.
Track new partner acquisition (target: 50+ annually) and transform data into actionable insights for organizational strategy.
Analyze employer feedback on student preparedness to inform program improvements.

Team Management and Collaboration

Manage a team of Employer Relations Managers, providing guidance, mentorship and support to ensure their success.
Set performance goals and provide regular feedback to team members.
Foster a collaborative and positive work environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork.
Proactively collaborate with the Advancement team on fundraising opportunities with employer partners.
Ensure effective collaboration with Program Advisors to maximize the student experience.
Support development and maintenance of the Employer Relations budget.

Required Education and Experience

An equivalent combination of education, training and experience will be considered:

Bachelor's degree in a related field (business, marketing, communications, higher education, or a relevant discipline).
At least 7 years' work experience, including demonstrated experience in employer relations, business development, sales or a related field.
Previous experience managing staff.
Demonstrated success in partnership development with measurable outcomes (80%+ retention rates preferred).
Experience with CRM systems and data management.

Preferred Education/Qualifications and Experience

Master’s degree preferred.
Background in education partnerships, corporate sponsorships, or nonprofit development.
Experience with Salesforce and/or internship management platforms such as Simplicity.
Knowledge of the Washington, D.C. employer landscape.

Competencies Required to Perform the Job Successfully

Leads/develops/empowers people, develops relationships, inspires trust
Effectively executes organizational priorities
Analytical thinking/problem solving
Change management

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Strong leadership and management skills with the ability to inspire and motivate a team.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with employers.
Results-driven mindset with a track record of meeting or exceeding acquisition and retention metrics.
Familiarity with internship programs, industry trends, J-1 Visa processes and employer needs.
Strong negotiation and persuasive skills to secure new partnerships and opportunities.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Familiarity with international programs, workforce development trends and employer talent needs.
Understanding of liability considerations in partnership contexts.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has supervisory responsibilities.

The Washington Center’s Values

Values which guide our mission work in every regard – internally and externally:

Equity & Inclusion
Learning
Connection & Collaboration
Integrity
Impact

Equipment Used to Perform the Job

May be representative but not all inclusive of those commonly associated with this position:

Cloud-based technologies
Standard office equipment including a computer and job-related software and printer

Physical Abilities

Commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform described essential functions of this job. These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision to work on a computer.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use repetitive wrist, hand and/or finger movement, reach with hands and arms and talk or hear.

Application Instructions

To apply to this position, please do so via our online application form.

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This job description no way states or implies that these are the only duties performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as requested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws. Certain job functions described herein may be subjected to possible modification in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.

The Washington Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of The Washington Center to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Provisions in applicable laws providing for bona fide occupational qualifications, business necessity or age limitations will be adhered to by the organization where appropriate.