University Relations & Early Career Program Manager

Build your career at Sazerac! With almost 400 years of rich history, Sazerac Company has thrived as an independent, American family-owned company with operations in the United States and around the world. Since the 2000s, Sazerac has averaged double digit growth every year! Sazerac Company produces and markets the most award-winning bourbons and whiskeys in the world, including Buffalo Trace, Pappy Van Winkle, Eagle Rare, Blanton’s, and Sazerac Rye. Additionally, Sazerac owns many popular brands across a range of spirits, including Fireball, Southern Comfort, Seagram’s V.O., Myers’s, Goldschläger, Parrot Bay, 99 Brand, and Platinum Vodka.

We’re proud of our award-winning culture and distilleries. Our Louisville office has been named one of the “Best Places to Work in Kentucky” four times, and our Buffalo Trace Distillery has earned the title of “world’s most award-winning distillery” through the dedication of our craftsmen for well over 200 years. Whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced professional, Sazerac provides extraordinary opportunities for growth with competitive salaries and benefits in an exciting, entrepreneurial industry.

The University Relations & Early Career Programs Manager is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to attract, engage, and retain early career talent. This role involves establishing and nurturing relationships with universities, colleges, and students, managing internship programs, organizing campus events, and collaborating with internal stakeholders to ensure a successful talent acquisition process.

Key Responsibilities:

University Relationship Management:

o Develop and maintain relationships with key university contacts, faculty members, and student organizations.

o Collaborate with universities to create internship and recruitment opportunities for students.

Internship and Leadership Development Program Management:

o Design, implement, and manage internship programs that provide valuable experiences for both students and the organization.

o Oversee the recruitment, onboarding, and mentorship of interns.

o Coordinate with various departments to provide value add and business critical projects to interns.

o Ensure internal development programs (PDS & CDS) are effectively utilized to identify and advance internal talent.

Campus Recruitment:

o Plan and execute campus recruitment events, including career fairs, information sessions, and workshops.

o Represent the organization at university events to promote the company and its career opportunities.

Early Career Talent Acquisition:

o Collaborate with HR and hiring managers to identify hiring needs for entry-level positions.

o Implement innovative strategies to attract top talent, including social media campaigns, employer branding initiatives, and networking events.

Program Development:

o Design and implement early career development programs, including training sessions, mentorship programs, and leadership initiatives.

o Evaluate program effectiveness and make data-driven recommendations for continuous improvement.

Collaboration and Communication:

o Work closely with internal stakeholders, including HR, hiring managers, and senior leadership, to align early career programs with organizational goals.

o Communicate program goals, updates, and successes to internal teams and external partners.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Proven experience in university relations, campus recruitment, or talent acquisition, preferably in a corporate setting.
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills.
• Excellent organizational and project management abilities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Familiarity with various recruiting tools and platforms.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to communicate with all levels of the organization.
• Experience in a fast paced environment
• 3 years Early Career Program management experience.
• 5 years full cycle recruiting experience.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with employer branding and social media recruitment strategies.
• Knowledge of diversity and inclusion initiatives in recruitment.
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting.

Sazerac Company