GENERAL SUMMARY OF DUTIES:
The Director of Career Services is responsible for envisioning, directing, and implementing the components and initiatives of the Office of Career Services through career advising and counseling, career exploration, student employment, job search, internships, data collection, employer outreach programs (including career fairs and experiential learning opportunities), and supporting a student's experience from first year to graduation and beyond. As an essential member of the Division of the Student Experience, the successful candidate will lead programming and services that support undergraduate and graduate students in creating comprehensive, individualized career plans that coincide with their academic and professional endeavors, as well as serving our distinguished alumni. Additionally, as a staff member who will assist the Strategic Initiatives area in Academic Affairs, the successful candidate will also be able to connect with local businesses in the region to develop industry relationships and university partnerships in order to provide experiential opportunities for students and alumni within their chosen fields.
Recognizing that career development occurs at all phases of life, this position will assist students during all stages of professional development and will tailor services to each respective stage and individual need beginning in the first year and continuing on to graduation and beyond. The successful candidate will work with the administration and academic deans to offer specialized programming tailored to each college as well as program-specific initiatives; she/he will also collaborate closely with our Alumni Office to create and maintain new opportunities to link alumni with current students.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Daily Operations:
- Establish annual goals, objectives, and benchmarks for the Offices of Career Services.\
- Provide strategic direction for continued program development and improvement that aims at supporting high impact practices for student development and key skills and competencies sought by employers.\
- Manage the budget, purchasing, and contract negotiations (e.g., software agreements) for the department.
- Oversee office communication strategies to provide accurate and up-to-date information about services to various constituencies, including students, faculty, employers, alumni, and parents.
- Oversee office communication strategies to provide accurate and up-to-date information about services to various constituencies, including students, faculty, employers, alumni, and parents.
- Supervise interns, graduate assistants, and any additional future employees within the Office of Career Services and provide support and guidance to staff in the administration of career assessments.
Career Services Focused:
- Career Counseling: Provide one-on-one career counseling and guidance to students and alumni, assisting with career exploration, resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation, and job search strategies.
- Programs, Seminars and Workshops: Develop, plan, and implement a variety of career-related workshops and seminars on topics such as job search techniques, networking, LinkedIn profile development, and industry-specific career advice.
- Employer/Corporate Relations: Cultivate and maintain relationships with a diverse range of employers/corporations to enhance job and internship opportunities for students and alumni. Provide guidance to employers seeking interns on developing position descriptions with appropriate learning objectives. Coordinate on-campus recruitment activities, including job fairs, employer information sessions, networking opportunities, and on-campus interviews.
- Internship and Job Placement: Assist students in securing internships and employment opportunities by connecting them with potential employers and providing support throughout the application and placement process.
- Resource Development: Develop and maintain career resources, including online databases, job boards, and career development materials. Stay current with industry trends and employment opportunities to provide relevant guidance.
- Collaboration: Work closely with academic departments, faculty, and university staff to integrate career development into the academic experience, student engagement, and alumni relations. Participate in university committees and contribute to the development of career services strategies and initiatives. Serve on committees.
- Data Management: Conduct and oversee the administration of the annual First Destination Survey. Maintain accurate data on student use of services, experiential learning, and job placements. Conduct assessment, to analyze, and report on career services metrics/outcomes to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and services, and ensure compliance efforts. Overall, use data to inform continuous improvement of efforts and initiatives.
Additional responsibilities:
- Represent the Career Development Center at university and community events.
- Serve as a member of the leadership team within the Division of the Student Experience.
- Serve as a point of contact for the university with employers and alumni to develop new relationships and identify the need for educational programming with regional businesses and employers. Also, through cultivated partnerships, identify the need for new training programs to meet business and industry needs.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (knowledge, skill, abilities):
- Exceptional written and oral communication and interpersonal skills, including a collaborative and team-oriented work style
- Skilled in communication through various modalities including social media (such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter), email, and other technological resources.
- Ability to work with diverse populations
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES (List of Titles of Direct Reports):
Graduate Assistant and Interns
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:
- Master's degree in Business Administration, Counseling, Psychology, Higher Education Administration, Educational Leadership, Business, or related field.
- Three or more years of experience in the areas of career, work force, and/or business development.
PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Experience in data collection and analysis used to develop departmental goals and initiatives, student learning outcomes, and pertinent reports to various campus constituencies as requested.
- Working knowledge of career services management software and career assessment instruments
PHYSICAL DEMANDS (bending/sitting/lifting/driving/etc.):
While performing the duties of this position the employee may be seated or required to stand for extended periods of time and may be required to lift up to twenty pounds.
WORK ENVIRONMENT/TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
Work is typically conducted in the workplace with limited travel required for conferences and events representing the university.
WORK SCHEDULE:
Monday through Friday, 8:30AM-4:30PM, 35 hours per week, 52 weeks per year
DISCLAIMER: While not comprehensive, this job description lists activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Apply for Director of Career Services online