Employer Experience Manager
About the role
At the University of Waterloo, we create and promote a culture where everyone can reach their full potential. As an employee, you get support & opportunities that empower you to advance your career. Explore how we can bring big ideas to life, together. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities, interests, and expertise. As part of our workforce, you can do what you do best, every day. Learn more about our recruitment process. Job Requisition ID: 2026-00832 Time Type: Full time Employee Group: Staff Job Category: Career and Employment Employment Type: Temporary Department: Co-operative and Experiential Education - Employment Relations, Industry Zones One and Four Hiring Range: $87,620.25 - $109,525.32 Posting Information: This posting is for an existing vacancy. This role is being offered as a contract position Term - 2 years Job Description: Primary Purpose The Employer Experience Manager (EEM) generates, develops and converts employer prospects into registered employers for paid, creditable co-op and full-time jobs for all programs. The EEM is also responsible for creating an outstanding employer experience and nurturing the ongoing relationship with the University of Waterloo; specifically, for the retention and development of high-quality, credit-worthy opportunities with new and existing employers to support all students engaging in co-op or WIL studies. Working together with colleagues across CEE, the EEM creates and executes an opportunity development and retention plan designed to meet each employer’s specific talent needs, and ultimately establish the University of Waterloo as their preferred talent management partner. This is a campus-based role supporting hiring into Faculties, Research Centres and Institutes. Key Accountabilities Identify and build job opportunities within assigned zone(s) • Contribute to strategic prioritization activities to focus and optimize job development activity across key regions, priority employment and industry sectors, so to meet established targets • Actively analyze labour market data and business practices to identify gaps and opportunities for jobs development within assigned zone(s) • Use a keen understanding of effective sales and conversion tools and techniques to assess the prospective employer’s needs and discuss how hiring a student could bring value to the employer • Become an expert in our co-operative education model, understanding our programs, students, and process to effectively guide and steward new employers and prospects • Prospect and cultivate leads to successfully filled postings through own lead-generation initiatives including, but not limited to, market / industry research, leveraging strong networks, using web platforms / social media campaigns, creating relationships with government officials and industry organizations, leveraging trade show opportunities • Plan and execute distinct and needs-based business development exercises across multiple markets / industry segments in a tight time window Build co-op legacies in external organizations • Lead, create, nurture, monitor, and sustain corporate relationships external to the university in support of CEE objectives. • Assess prospective employer needs, so to optimize UW’s contribution to the employer’s talent management strategy • Leverage on-campus relationships and institutional strengths to enhance employer support • Convert employers with whom students have arranged their own jobs to ongoing hiring employers • Work closely with CEE colleagues and campus partners to promote Co-op and Work Integrated Learning opportunities, collaborate on presentations, webinars and training as a value-add to our employers • Ensure employers receive appropriate support in all interactions, and guide others with client-centered stewardship. Deepen employer relationships with focus on retention, engagement and satisfaction • Develop and execute a strategic retention and growth plan to create strong, sustainable employer relationships and experiences • Analyze and manage a portfolio of diverse organizations, identifying key accounts and increasing their engagement with the university. • Cultivate a strong end-to-end employer experience, develop relationships and ensure ongoing satisfaction and CEE support in meeting evolving employer needs • Diversify and deepen employer relationships using own initiatives that are in alignment with the larger co-op plan • Report on progress and communicate with transparency, clarity and openness to broaden understanding of prospecting outcomes, quality of lead funnel management, employer retention, lead conversion to job postings and to jobs filled and number of students hired • Gauge and manage employer expectations and challenges: Ensure awareness of co-op expectations, address issues/ concerns, collaborate with service team members as required. • Guide organizations with brand recognition activities at Waterloo including information sessions, employer recognition awards, and other opportunities across the university. Continuously improve business development approaches to advance productivity and outcomes • Create resources and tools to support accountabilities and help achieve objectives • Address challenges within the business development process with creative solutions for optimal outcomes • Ensure information exchange and consultation with CEE colleagues, as appropriate, to address issues or trends in employer support / talent needs and continually improve approaches • Suggest and adopt technologies that can enable more efficiency and productivity for business development and account management • Seek opportunities to gain relevant knowledge and share resources to elevate the community of practice Represent CEE and UWaterloo at conferences, networking events, outreach activities and other special events • Research and understand audience, targets, and potential for job development for every event attended • Effectively capture all actionable leads using lead qualification best practices, ensuring all event leads are received for processing within a maximum two days after an event • As appropriate, speak at an event or participate in an expert panel on behalf of CEE and the university • Plan and execute itineraries within an economical budget, with the goal of maximizing outcomes (new opportunities, new collaborations, funding, etc.) Equity Statement The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations. The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada. The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935. At the University of Waterloo, we think differently, we act with purpose, and we work together. We advance learning and knowledge through teaching, research, and scholarship, nationally and internationally, in an environment of free expression and enquiry. We are a leading global research-intensive university, renowned for entrepreneurship and innovation, providing co-op and work-integrated learning at scale with impact. Learn more about Waterloo Current employees, please apply via the Job Hub. Internal candidates are reviewed first before external applicants are considered. Due to the volume of applications, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.