University Relations Lead

Vertiv brings together hardware, software, analytics and services to enable the continuous and optimal performance of critical digital infrastructure. As demand for data centers and digital infrastructure continues to accelerate, Vertiv is investing in the talent, capabilities and skills needed to support our continued growth. 

The Opportunity 

We are establishing a new University Relations capability across EMEA to strengthen how Vertiv engages with universities and other early-career talent communities and to build sustainable pipelines of future talent into the organisation. 

As University Relations Lead – EMEA, you will play a key role in building this capability from the ground up. Working closely with Talent Acquisition, HR, business leaders and functional stakeholders across EMEA, you will develop and coordinate university and early-career programmes that support Vertiv's future talent needs. 

This is a highly collaborative role. You will not be expected to do everything yourself; rather, you will bring together the right people, establish priorities and ways of working, coordinate activity across multiple countries and functions, and ensure that agreed programmes progress from concept through to delivery. 

The successful candidate will be comfortable operating in a developing environment, creating structure where it does not yet exist and building strong relationships across a complex organisation. 

Key Responsibilities 

Build the EMEA University Relations Strategy 

• Develop and implement an EMEA University Relations strategy aligned to Vertiv's business and talent requirements. 

• Work with Talent Acquisition and business stakeholders to identify priority skills, functions, locations and talent segments where university partnerships can create sustainable talent pipelines. 

• Develop a practical framework for engaging universities and early-career talent that can be adapted across different EMEA countries and business areas. 

• Identify opportunities to leverage existing Vertiv relationships and establish new partnerships with universities, colleges and other relevant institutions. 

Develop University & Early-Career Programmes 

• Design and coordinate programmes such as internships, graduate opportunities, industrial placements, apprenticeships, co-op programmes, student projects, career events and other early-career initiatives. 

• Work with recruiting teams and business stakeholders to translate talent requirements into clear university engagement plans. 

• Support the development of consistent approaches to attracting, engaging and converting early-career talent. 

• Identify opportunities to increase awareness of Vertiv as an employer among students and emerging talent in priority disciplines, including engineering, technology, manufacturing and business functions. 

• Share successful approaches across countries and functions to create greater scale and consistency. 

Stakeholder & Programme Management 

• Build effective working relationships across EMEA Talent Acquisition, HR, business leaders, hiring managers and other relevant stakeholders. 

• Coordinate multiple workstreams and stakeholders across different countries, ensuring clarity around objectives, ownership, timelines and deliverables. 

• Establish regular programme updates and reporting for Talent Acquisition and business leadership. 

• Track progress against agreed priorities, identify risks and dependencies, and ensure actions are followed through. 

• Facilitate meetings, workshops and working sessions where required. 

• Act as a central point of coordination for EMEA University Relations activity. 

Build the Capability & Operating Model 

• Establish appropriate processes, tools and governance for University Relations activity across EMEA. 

• Develop playbooks, templates, calendars and other resources that enable local recruiting teams and business stakeholders to execute programmes effectively. 

• Establish appropriate measures of programme activity and effectiveness, including engagement, applications, hires, conversion and pipeline development. 

• Capture and share best practices across the region. 

• Contribute to the development of a future global University Relations model as the capability evolves. 

University & External Relationships 

• Establish and maintain relationships with key universities, careers services, student organisations and other early-career talent partners. 

• Represent Vertiv at selected university events, career fairs, student engagement activities and other external forums. 

• Build an understanding of emerging talent markets and identify opportunities for Vertiv to strengthen its presence within priority universities and disciplines. 

• Work with Talent Acquisition colleagues and business representatives to ensure Vertiv presents a consistent and compelling employer proposition to early-career talent. 

What You Bring 

Essential 

• Experience in Talent Acquisition, Early Careers, University Relations, Campus Recruiting, HR or a related talent-focused environment. 

• Demonstrated ability to build effective relationships and influence stakeholders across different teams and levels. 

• Strong programme or project coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders simultaneously. 

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, including the confidence to provide progress updates to senior stakeholders. 

• Ability to create structure, establish priorities and move initiatives forward in an environment where processes and responsibilities may still be developing. 

• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail. 

• Comfortable working across multiple countries and cultures. 

• A collaborative, proactive and pragmatic approach. 

Desirable 

• Experience developing university, graduate, internship, apprenticeship or other early-career talent programmes. 

• Experience working within a multinational or matrix organisation. 

• Experience partnering with engineering, manufacturing, technology or other technical functions. 

• Existing knowledge of the EMEA university and early-career talent landscape. 

• Experience using recruitment data, analytics or reporting to measure programme effectiveness. 

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