Associate Director of Career Accelerators

About the role

The Associate Director of Career Accelerators leads the vision, structure, and long-term strategy of the Career Accelerator Initiative. They identify target academic programs and student populations using institutional and engagement data, design scalable, cohort-based models aligned with workforce needs and university priorities, and ensure integration with key Career Center initiatives such as Arch Ready, Mentor Program, and Career Fairs. They partner with the Director of Career Education to align accelerators with broader career education strategy.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Program Design
  • Lead the vision, structure, and long-term strategy of the Career Accelerator Initiative
  • Identify target academic programs and student populations using institutional and engagement data
  • Design scalable, cohort-based models aligned with workforce needs and university priorities
  • Ensure integration with key Career Center initiatives (e.g., Arch Ready, Mentor Program, Career Fairs)
  • Partner with the Director of Career Education to align accelerators with broader career education strategy
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Partnerships
  • Serve as the primary connector across Employer Relations, Mentor Program, and Academic Integration to ensure coordinated program delivery
  • Cultivate employer, alumni, and faculty partnerships to support mentorship, programming, and experiential opportunities
  • Engage Career Center consultants in accelerator programming, including coaching, workshops, and student support
  • Collaborate with campus and advancement partners to support program growth and funding priorities

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, or a related field
• Demonstrated ability to design and lead high-impact career programs serving a wide range of student populations
• Strong understanding of career development theory, student needs across disciplines, and current trends in career education and labor markets
• Prominent ability to develop, implement, and assess large-scale career initiatives and events
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with students, faculty, employers, and alumni
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency with career services technologies (e.g., Handshake), data-informed decision-making, and digital engagement tools
• Professional experience in career services or a related field, with expertise in career exploration, coaching, and workforce skill development
• Experience supervising staff and supporting the delivery of high-impact career programs
• Working knowledge of career assessment tools (e.g., MBTI, Strong, CliftonStrengths), including interpretation and application to support student development

Qualifications

• Knowledge of management and supervisory practices; skill in leading and motivating teams; and ability to effectively manage staff performance and workflow
• Knowledge of career evaluative tools and frameworks for identifying strengths and preferences; skill in analysis and interpretation; and ability to apply findings to support development outcomes
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects, prioritize competing demands, and work effectively with a wide range of populations in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Technical proficiency with enterprise software systems

Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Knowledge of management and supervisory practices; skill in leading and motivating teams; and ability to effectively manage staff performance and workflow
• Knowledge of career evaluative tools and frameworks for identifying strengths and preferences; skill in analysis and interpretation; and ability to apply findings to support development outcomes
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects, prioritize competing demands, and work effectively with a wide range of populations in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Technical proficiency with enterprise software systems

Physical Demands

• Work in a standard office environment
• Travel in and out of state as necessary
• Sit and work at a computer workstation for extended periods of time
• Work using electronic mail, telephone, face-to-face discussions, paper form correspondence
• Communicate effectively in writing, speaking, and listening
• Organize and establish priorities; Remember detail; multi-task
• Lift and/or move up to 20 pounds
• Walk, stand, stoop, lift, kneel, climb

Is driving a responsibility of this position?

No

Is this a Position of Trust?

Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?

No

Does this position require a P-Card?

No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?

No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?

No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications)?

Yes

Credit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.