Assistant Director, Career Advancement

About the role

Career Advancement serves a student population of approximately 7,000 arts and sciences undergraduate students, in addition to alumni who have graduated within the last five years. This role supports program management, including employer outreach, event planning, tactical coordination, and student engagement.

Responsibilities

• Serves as career adviser for a cohort of 1st – 4th year students in the undergraduate College.
• Engages in proactive communication and engagement to support career development and success in securing internships and full-time jobs.
• Uses industry and company knowledge to provide targeted, outcomes-driven guidance and support for students pursuing a career business and related industries.
• Identifies and sources job and internship opportunities that match student career interests.
• Led identification of and conducts outreach to employers in both the public, private, and non-profit sectors for internships and full-time opportunities.
• Communicates frequently with students to share opportunities and help them stay on track for success.
• Proactively identifies opportunities to ensure students are prepared for and receive career development opportunities.
• Reaches out to employers and alumni to develop relationships and source opportunities for students ranging from job shadowing and site visits to internships, primarily for selective cohort programs.
• Creates and implements employer development plan in areas of opportunity; sets employer strategy of retention using data, feedback, research and analysis, and relationship management.
• Plans, designs and executes workshops and events, virtual or on-site, as relevant. Leverages virtual technology to provide innovative programs and fosters student engagement and satisfaction.
• Supports weekly communications by promoting workshops, events, and job opportunities.
• Supports drafting strategic communications for high level donors, University leadership, and employer partners.
• Manages and maintains efficient methods to track student data, quantify student engagement, and report on student outcomes.
• Tracks student progress in securing a job or internship using Salesforce.
• Provides support as necessary for data management and analytics, correspondence, and reporting to senior leadership and other constituents.
• Conducts job search and career management related large lectures, hands-on workshops, special events, training programs, and one-on-one career coaching sessions.
• Acts as a resource for and directs students to other career resources as needed.
• Researches organizations that are hiring and partners with a wide variety of employers to ensure recruitment strategies meet their needs.
• Maintains contact with a portfolio of employers to serve as their dedicated Career Advancement liaison.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Requirements

• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Background working with college-aged students and/or new recent college graduates.
• Developing and managing an internship program.
• Professional experience in a corporate setting.
• Background working across teams to drive outcomes quickly and efficiently.
• Expertise in program development, or a related area.

Skills

• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Utilize Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or other digital platform for meetings and events.
• Expertise in counseling, program development, or a related area.
• Knowledge of career development theory and strong coaching or counseling skills.

Preferred Competencies

• Outcomes-driven and action-oriented attitude.
• Adaptable and able to shift priorities, as needed, to ensure student outcomes and manage leadership priorities.
• Self-starter who works proactively to solve complex problems.
• Deep commitment to customer service, strong interpersonal skills and a high level of professionalism when interacting with internal and external clients.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills; strong interpersonal, quantitative, and networking skills.
• Develop and deliver presentations; communicate to large groups as well as one-on-one with students, senior management, faculty, staff, and senior leadership.
• Develop strong relationships with a wide variety of constituents, including employers and external partners like alumni and parents, students, faculty, staff, and senior leadership.
• Problem-solving and reasoning, critical thinking and decision-making skills.
• Exemplary organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Handle sensitive matters with tact and discretion and maintain confidentiality.

Working Conditions

• Work evening hours and weekends on an occasional basis.
• Travel, generally two or three times per year.