About Us

Cleveland State Global is a partnership between Cleveland State University and Shorelight. The mission of the program is to immerse first-year international students (graduate and undergraduate) in the academic and cultural life of the university, help them integrate into campus life, and provide the support that increases their academic successes and likelihood of obtaining their degrees at Cleveland State University.

Job Overview

This position supports Career Direct, a graduate career program designed for talented, qualified, international students at Cleveland State Global. This program incorporates high-quality graduate coursework and multifaceted professional development and career preparation. Career Direct is specifically designed for international graduate students who are seeking an optional practical training (OPT) or a curricular optional training (CPT) experience in the United States.

The Director of Corporate Engagement, Career Direct, enhances international students’ career trajectories through strategically exploring and developing OPT and CPT employment pipelines within multinational companies and organizations. This individual keenly supports international student postgraduate employment by demonstrating the value of international students to prospective employer partners. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated individual who drives the program’s growth by attracting and engaging employers. The Director of Corporate Engagement, Career Direct, reports directly to the Cleveland State Global Managing Director, with a dotted line to the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Shorelight.

Essential Functions

Corporate Engagement 80%

• Strategically explore and develop pipeline of OPT and CPT “highly likely” placement opportunities corresponding to student programs
• Coordinate international student eligibility and matching for “highly likely” placement opportunities with designated campus Career Development and Practical Training coaches
• Coordinate and verify co-op eligibility criteria and hiring process with relevant employers
• Collaborate with universities, communities, cities, regional economic development organizations, and other key industry stakeholders to build on current industry relationships and expand relationships to include small businesses, start-ups, etc.
• Explore expansion of ancillary revenue through securing contingency or retained placement agency contracts as well as other opportunities

OPT and CPT Coordination 10%

• Collaborate with campus Designated School Officials (DSOs), International Students and Scholar Services (ISSS) Advisors, and Career Development and Practical Training coaches to ensure eligible students are of legal OPT and CPT status for designated employment opportunities
• Ensure employers are educated about OPT and CPT requirements and application process for hiring international students

Data Analytics and Management 10%

• Use student and employer data to inform regional employer relations activities
• Use student/employer success data to generate content for global recruitment and marketing teams
• Develop KPI metrics for success of graduate career program

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, sales, or human resources management, with background in corporate staffing, recruitment, sales/business development, brand outreach, economic/workforce development, etc.
• 5–10 years of related experience
• Ability to travel up to 75% and eligibility to work in and travel freely to and from the United States without sponsorship

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business administration, sales, or human resources management, with background in corporate staffing, recruitment, sales/business development, brand outreach, economic/workforce development, etc.
• Previous work with international employment authorization and sponsorship regulations (CPT/OPT, H1B), employer relations, and strategic partnerships work

Application Process

To apply for this position, please visit the Shorelight Careers page to submit an application with a resume and cover letter.

Background Check Required–Education, Criminal, Identity

Cleveland State Global is an Equal Opportunity Employer.