Career and Alumni Engagement Specialist, Watson College at InsideHigherEd

Category:: ProfessionalSubscribe:: Department:: Watson College of Engineering and Applied ScienceLocations:: Binghamton, NYPosted:: Oct 21, 2025Closes:: Open Until FilledType:: Full-timeRef. No.:: 07829Position ID:: 194040About Binghamton University:Binghamton University is a premier public R1 research institution in the State University of New York (SUNY) system that unites more than 130 broadly interdisciplinary educational programs with some of the most vibrant research in the nation. Our unique character - shaped by our mission, outstanding academics, facilities, and community life - promotes extraordinary student success, research, and service; Binghamton University is where our students, faculty and staff thrive.Working at Binghamton University is more than about having a great job - it is about having the opportunity to flourish in an exciting, engaging environment. Our faculty and staff appreciate Binghamton's collegial and inclusive culture and its commitment to excellence, education, innovation and civic engagement. Our diverse campus community contributes to our success.Binghamton merges rigorous academics, distinguished faculty who value cutting-edge, and community-engaged research, teaching and service, exceptional staff, and ultramodern facilities to engage and challenge its 18,000+ students. Our high-achieving student body represents diverse experiences from first-generation college-goers to international students. Beyond their talent, these classmates share a desire to shape the future through technology, insight, intellectual exploration, and community service.We are an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, and in keeping with this commitment, we welcome all to apply, including veterans and persons with disabilities.Job Description:Budget Title: Senior Staff Assistant (SL-3)Salary: $58,000 or higher, commensurate with experienceThe Career and Alumni Engagement Specialist in the Watson Career and Alumni Connections (WCAC) Office within the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Sciences enhances professional development opportunities for students through various career-oriented initiatives, including student appointments, workshops, events, and targeted initiatives engaging Watson alumni. The Career and Alumni Engagement Specialist is responsible for creating opportunities for students to learn from alumni and for alumni to engage in meaningful ways with Watson College.The Watson Career and Alumni Connections Office is dedicated to being the trusted career partner for students in engineering and the applied sciences. We place students at the center of all we do - providing expert guidance, exceptional support, and the tools they need to pursue meaningful careers in their chosen fields. Through strategic and impactful programming and consistent engagement with alumni and employers across diverse sectors, we foster lifelong relationships that expand opportunities, drive impact, and sustain our commitment to Watson student success.Duties of the Career and Alumni Engagement Specialist include:Student Career DevelopmentMeet with students in a 1:1 capacity to provide feedback on professional resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn/networking, interview preparation, job/internship search, and graduate school planning. Assist with graded curricular career assignments.Alumni & Industry EngagementDevelop and execute an alumni engagement strategic plan, offering both in-person and virtual opportunities for student-alumni connections.Build and sustain relationships with alumni by creating opportunities for engagement with students (panels, roundtables, networking events, industry mock interviews, guest speakers, tech talks).Collaborate with the WCAC Sr. Employer Relations Coordinator to promote and support employer recruitment initiatives, including programmatic aspects of the Watson Career Expo Conference, and joint opportunities to leverage alumni for student career development (jobs, internships, shadowing opportunities, short-term projects).Events & NetworkingServe as liaison with the Office of Alumni Engagement for initiatives such as Networking Nights (NYC, Boston, DC, Silicon Valley), Homecoming, and other annual events.Plan and facilitate alumni networking receptions at targeted locations across the country.Plan and execute programming and events for Watson Engineers Week, including the annual Alumni & Friends Reception.Assessment & Data AnalysisEvaluate the effectiveness of alumni relations programs by collecting and analyzing data on participation, engagement, and outcomes. Use insights gained to identify strengths, address gaps, and implement strategies for continuous improvement and stronger alumni connections.Requirements:Bachelor's degreeMinimum of three years of professional experienceExperience planning and organizing activities and special eventsEffective oral and written communication skills with both internal and external constituents through phone, email, video conference platforms, and in-personEffective presentation and facilitation skillsEffective customer service and interpersonal skills with a proven ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds, including students, alumni, staff, faculty, and industry partnersProactive, detail-oriented, with organizational/time management skillsAbility to work both independently and within a teamProficiency in analytical and computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Zoom, Canva, Google Workspace, Generative AI tools, and other common office software/technology)Commitment to program innovation, assessment, and metrics-based managementAbility and willingness to travel domestically and work some evenings or weekendsPreferred:Master's degree in a related field (e.g., Student Affairs Administration, Higher Education, Public Relations, Business Administration, Engineering or related)Experience working with students in a higher education setting, such as career development, talent acquisition, recruiting, or Human ResourcesExperience or background in a technical field with demonstrated proficiencies in data analytics and/or PowerBIExperience working with alumni and/or donorsVisa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, please note that Binghamton University is not an E-Verify employer.Additional Information:Offers of employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check and verification of degree(s) and credentials.Binghamton University is a tobacco-free campus.Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at [email protected] information can be found on our website https://www.binghamton.edu/offices/human-resources/payroll/Cover letters may be addressed "To the Search Committee."Postings active on the website, accept applications until closure.For information on the Dual Career Program, please visit:https://www.binghamton.edu/offices/human-resources/prospective/dual-career/index.htmlEqual Opportunity/Affirmative Action EmployerThe State University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is the policy of Binghamton University to provide for and promote equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran or military service member status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or arrest and/or criminal conviction record unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.As required by Title IX and its implementing regulations Binghamton University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs and activities which it operates. This requirement extends to employment and admission. Inquiries about sex discrimination may be directed to the University Title IX Coordinator or directly to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). Contact information for the Title IX Coordinator and OCR, as well as the University's complete Non-Discrimination Notice may be found here.Binghamton University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact the ADA Coordinator by completing the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.Application Instructions:All applicants must apply via Interview Exchange: http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/candapply.jsp?JOBID=194040Deadline for Internal Applicants: Deadline for External Applicants: Open until filledReview of applications will begin immediately and continue until the vacancy is filled.Please submit:Resume,Cover letter, andContact information for three professional referencesYou may add additional files/documents after uploading your resume. After you fill out your contact information, you will be directed to the upload page. Please login to check/edit your profile or to upload additional documents: http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/login.jsp.