Director of Graduate Retention
Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a diverse range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
At the State of Indiana, we don’t just talk about diversity and inclusion—we make it our goal to create a welcoming, accessible, and equitable workplace with a workforce that is representative of Indiana's population. As a proud equal opportunity employer, reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role.
About the Indiana Destination Development Corporation:
IDDC is dedicated to promoting, branding, and telling Indiana's authentic story to both attract and retain businesses, talent, students, and visitors in our great state. The Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) was formed by the Indiana Legislature in 2019 to promote Indiana as a great place for living, visiting, learning, and earning. The IDDC became incorporated on July 1st, 2020. The Indiana Office of Tourism Development (IOTD) evolved into a new organization, creating a seamless experience for our tourism and talent attraction partners. Increasing the knowledge that builds pride in Indiana will help our state fill open jobs, grow talent, and elevate views of our distinctive sense of place
Role Overview:
The Director of Graduate Retention will be the lead and have overall responsibility to advance the “graduate retention” initiative for the IDDC. This includes engagement with the state’s higher education institutions with the objective of keeping graduates in Indiana. This position will identify key strategies to provide college students positive community and destination experiences in Indiana to highlight Indiana’s quality of life. Once identified, this position will work with the universities and colleges to provide opportunities that will motivate graduates to live, work, and stay in Indiana. Goal is to help reverse “brain drain” and achieve “brain gain”.
This position will also work closely with the Director of Talent Attraction and will coordinate meetings with businesses and corporate recruiters to encourage use of the tools created to assist with attracting talent to the state.
Salary Statement:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $65,000.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.
A Day in the Life:
- Develop an annual work plan for graduate retention strategy.
- Engage with college/university representatives:
- Career counselors for college students to understand current barriers to graduates being offered and accepting employment in Indiana.
- Student life administrators and student groups to determine barriers for students to engage in off-campus exploration that lead to an understanding of the quality of place, life, and opportunity in Indiana.
- Manage Graduate Retention tools and programs:
- Manage and enhance existing tools.
- Develop, execute, manage, and oversee new programs and tools that are aligned with IDDC research.
- Determine collateral and messaging to support graduate retention in conjunction with IDDC’s marketing team and outside marketing agency.
- Manage and execute annual surveys:
- College/university students to gauge their perception of Indiana as a place to live and work.
- Higher education liaisons regarding methods for relating the Indiana brand experience message to the student body population.
- Engage with IDDC leadership on an annual marketing plan, cross-promotional activity, and key collateral needs for target audiences.
- Determine appropriate metrics to measure graduate retention. Monitor and report as required.
- Solicit input via a Graduate Retention Advisory Council(s), if and when deemed beneficial.
- Organize and manage the council(s).
- Seek input in order to understand barriers and the tools/resources needed to remove barriers.
- Engage with the Vice President of Partnership Development to secure sponsorship for graduate retention tools and programs along with other partnership opportunities.
- Engage and support the efforts of IDDC’s Director of Talent Attraction:
- Share research outcomes and marketing strategy
- Meet with business contacts to share and encourage the use of talent attraction tools
What You'll Need for Success:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- At least 5 years of work experience.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills, able to build relationships and establish credibility.
- Experience in creating and managing new initiatives.
- Experience in the successful implementation of a strategic plan.
- Ability to build out a new project or program.
- Self-motivated; able to think creatively.
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
- Strong organizational skills, meticulousness, and ability to manage and meet deadlines for multiple projects running simultaneously.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and ability to learn new software programs.
- Ability to travel.
- Represent the State of Indiana and the IDDC in a professional and confidential manner.
- Reach out to individuals without having a prior relationship.
- Cope with an ever-changing set of priorities, so flexibility and adaptability are essential attributes.
- Work on multiple tasks related to state government and programs administered by the IDDC.
- Collect, interpret, and evaluate data and produce clear and concise reports.
- Perform as a team player, detail orientated and highly organized to consistently meet deadlines.
- Willingly take on new responsibilities as opportunities arise.
- Maintain the highest level of confidentiality.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
Responsibilities
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
- Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
- Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
- Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
- Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities
- Deferred compensation 457B account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match
- Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
- A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
- 150 hours of paid new parent leave
- Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
- Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
- 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Group life insurance
- Referral Bonus program
- Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
- Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Free Parking for most positions
- Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of employer-employee relations without discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. We will comply with the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable state and federal laws.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [email protected].
The State of Indiana has established a culture that welcomes equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all employees and applicants. We encourage you to apply if you feel you have the transferrable skills to be successful in this position and we look forward to reviewing your application.
Nearest Major Market: Indianapolis
