Job DescriptionThe Manager of University Relations and Global Mobility will develop and deliver programs that strengthen Coherent's future talent pipeline and support the movement of talent across our global organization.
With a primary focus on the United States, this role will build strategic relationships with universities, technical colleges, research institutions, and professional organizations to attract high-potential students and graduates. The Manager will oversee internship, graduate, and other early-career programs, creating a consistent and engaging experience from attraction and selection through development and conversion.
The role will also manage global mobility and employment-based immigration activities involving the United States. Working closely with Talent Acquisition, HR, Legal, Total Rewards, Payroll, Tax, Finance, and external partners, the Manager will ensure employees, candidates, and hiring teams receive clear guidance and a consistent, compliant, and supportive experience.
Primary Duties & ResponsibilitiesStrategy and Workforce Planning- Develop and execute Coherent's university relations, early-career talent, and global mobility strategy in alignment with business and workforce priorities.
- Partner with business and HR leaders to forecast talent requirements and translate them into annual recruitment and program plans.
- Use workforce data, market insights, and program outcomes to identify priorities and recommend improvements.
- Manage program budgets and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, scalability, and value.
University Relations and Partnerships- Build strategic partnerships with universities, technical colleges, research institutions, career centers, faculty members, professional associations, and student organizations.
- Identify priority institutions and academic programs across engineering, physics, photonics, optics, materials science, computer science, manufacturing, operations, and other critical disciplines.
- Develop relationships with academic departments, professors, research groups, student societies, and diversity-focused professional organizations.
- Establish and manage campus ambassador, employee alumni, and mentoring networks.
- Coordinate career fairs, campus presentations, technical events, student engagement activities, and employer-branding initiatives.
Early-Career Programs- Lead recruitment programs for interns, co-op students, apprentices, new graduates, and other early-career talent.
- Establish consistent program structures, selection processes, onboarding standards, learning opportunities, mentorship, and conversion strategies.
- Create meaningful early-career experiences that provide professional development, networking, mentorship, and exposure to Coherent's technologies and leadership.
- Track early-career hiring, program participation, performance, conversion, retention, and career progression.
Global Mobility and Immigration- Coordinate international assignments, transfers, temporary assignments, cross-border hires, and relocations involving the United States.
- Serve as a central point of contact for employees, candidates, managers, Talent Acquisition and HR partners throughout the mobility and immigration process.
- Partner with immigration counsel and specialist providers to coordinate visa and work-authorization requirements.
- Provide clear guidance regarding immigration feasibility, timelines, costs, and potential risks.
- Coordinate mobility support across immigration, relocation, tax, payroll, compensation, benefits, social security, and employment arrangements.
- Support the development and consistent application of mobility policies, relocation packages, assignment frameworks, and approval processes.
- Track visa expiration dates, work-authorization milestones, assignment dates, and other time-sensitive requirements.
Governance, Compliance and Vendor Management- Establish effective governance, processes, service standards, documentation, and controls across all programs.
- Manage relationships with university, immigration, relocation, tax, and mobility partners, including cost, service quality, performance, and issue resolution.
- Develop dashboards and reporting to measure hiring outcomes, conversion, retention, employee experience, compliance, cost, vendor performance, and return on investment.
- Develop guidance, training, toolkits, and communication materials for managers, employees, HR teams, and Talent Acquisition.
- Maintain confidentiality and ensure candidate and employee information is managed in accordance with company policies and applicable data-protection and record-retention requirements.
Education & Experience- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, International Relations, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
- Significant experience in university relations, early-career recruitment, global mobility, employment-based immigration, or related talent programs.
- Demonstrated success developing university partnerships and early-career recruitment programs.
- Practical experience supporting employment-based immigration, international assignments, cross-border transfers, and employee relocation.
- Experience managing relationships with universities, immigration agencies, relocation providers and other specialist partners.
- Strong understanding of the operational and compliance requirements associated with US global mobility and employment-based immigration.
- Experience working in a complex, international, and matrixed organisation.
- Strong program and project-management capabilities, with the ability to manage multiple stakeholders, priorities, deadlines, and employee cases.
- Experience using applicant-tracking, HR, mobility, case-management, and reporting systems.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to evaluate program effectiveness and translate data into practical recommendations.
Working ConditionsPhysical Requirements- May need to lift up to 25 lbs
Safety RequirementsAll employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.
Quality and Environmental ResponsibilitiesDepending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.
