University Relations 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 and Early Careers Program Manager will operate as a cross-functional business partner with business functions and HR leaders to lead and execute a college staffing program that builds future talent capabilities for Sazerac. The role will focus on strategy, program, and tactical recruitment design and execution across all campus related activities, which may include technical and vocational schools intended to feed skilled manufacturing talent and leaders to select locations.

Key Responsibilities

• Set the strategic direction of university relations programs while developing and nurturing relationships across partner Universities. Will focus on year-round program strategy design and execution, headcount planning, planning and attendance at campus activities - including coordinating internal stakeholder participation, training, and travel planning - for all UR programs. Will design and execute onboarding, graduation, presentation, learning, and social activities and events for UR students during the summer months and throughout the year.
• Requires ability to influence internal and external stakeholders, including members of the Leadership Team.
• Will curate aspects of Sazerac's employment brand to leverage with UR program participants to improve their engagement with the company and Sazerac’s standing in the marketplace. Brand work will span media including LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and social media as appropriate. Will collaborate with Marketing, PR, and Communications teams to ensure messaging is aligned with company position and all brand standards are followed. Will leverage our Applicant Tracking System (ATS) in tracking and nurturing deep relationships across all functional areas of select universities and professional organizations to further enhance Sazerac's access to top talent.  Will facilitate speaking engagements, classroom lectures, and all other on campus activities.
• Will leverage the ATS to advertise jobs, manage candidates, create reporting, and nurture dynamic relationships across all functional areas of select universities and professional organizations to further enhance Sazerac's access to top early career talent.
• Work with student’s manager to develop a prioritized performance plan with clear tangible signs and measurement tools in place to assess personal progress and ensure the career development system is effectively utilized to develop and execute robust career development plans and provide actionable feedback and developmental coaching that leads to achievement of career goals.

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Demonstrated experience developing comprehensive talent acquisition strategies and programs
• Ability to manage both strategic and tactical execution of HR programs simultaneously
• Talent acquisition experience in a diverse global environment
• Full cycle recruiting experience, Talent Management, or related experience.
• Demonstrated experience recruiting, developing, and exporting talent that thinks critically and leads with insights

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in a related field

Physical Requirements:

• A valid driver's license
• Ability to travel up to 50%

A career at Sazerac offers you the opportunity to reach your full potential as part of a creative, decisive, high-performance team. Sazerac values the needs and wants of our team members and offers inclusive benefits to attract and retain the best talent. Our culture is built upon the values of hard work, diligence and personal responsibility.

Sazerac Team Members enjoy:

• Competitive Pay
• Comprehensive Benefits from Day One including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Family Coverage: Options to cover family members, including domestic partners.
• 401(k) Plan: Immediate access to a matching 401(k) plan.
• Flexible Time Away: Enjoy paid time off (PTO), holidays, and parental leave.
• Mental Health and Wellness: Access to mental health care and wellness incentive programs.
• Educational Support: Benefit from tuition reimbursement and our scholarship program for dependents of Sazerac team members.
• Fun Extras: Enjoy branded apparel, fun events, and a team member bottle purchase program.
• Training and Development: Opportunities for professional growth and development.

Benefits, salary range, and programs may vary by role or location. For roles within our commercial team - the Salary range refers to base salary only and does not include car allowance, annual bonus, fuel or cell phone reimbursement. Please ask your Talent Acquisition Partner for more information about our total rewards package. Sazerac is committed to equality of opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status.