Associate Vice President for Career Readiness
About the role
The Associate Vice President for Career Readiness (AVPCR) serves as a senior campus leader responsible for advancing a comprehensive, institution-wide vision for student career development and post-graduation success. The AVPCR provides strategic direction, leadership, and oversight for the college’s career development ecosystem, ensuring that career exploration, experiential learning, and workforce readiness are embedded throughout the student experience.
Responsibilities
Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for student career development aligned with the college’s strategic plan.
Champion a campus-wide culture of career readiness that integrates professional competencies across academic and co-curricular experiences.
Provide guidance and oversight for the Career Design Center, the Center for Community Engagement and related experiential learning initiatives.
Partner closely with academic divisions to integrate career competencies into the curriculum and programming.
Serve as a thought partner to deans, department chairs, and faculty to expand equitable access to internships, apprenticeships, and employment pathways for all students.
Serve as a member of the Vice President’s leadership team, contributing to divisional strategy, student retention efforts, and institutional planning initiatives.
Oversee budget planning, resource allocation, staffing, and program assessment.
Establish measurable goals and use data analytics to inform continuous improvement and ensure programs meet evolving student and workforce needs.
Expand and strengthen relationships with employers, industry partners, community organizations, and alumni to create meaningful internship, apprenticeship, and employment opportunities.
Lead efforts to engage alumni in mentorship, networking, and career programming initiatives.
Provide training and resources for on-campus supervisors to foster inclusive, developmental, and career-connected student employment practices.
Lead institutional reporting and compliance related to career outcomes, state workforce data tracking, and accreditation requirements.
Ensure compliance with federal, state and university laws and policies.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in a related field with eleven years of experience in higher education, including seven years of leadership experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Progressive leadership experience in career services, workforce development, or student success initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage budgets, and oversee complex programs.
Experience building partnerships across academic and administrative units.
Strong analytical skills with experience using assessment and outcomes data.
Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing, and leading successful initiatives in college/university career development/services.
Commitment to centering the work on the current needs of students.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, or a related field.
Experience engaging employers, alumni, and community stakeholders in career initiatives.
Knowledge of workforce trends, experiential learning models, and national best practices in career readiness.
Skills and Abilities
Strong understanding of student development theories, student populations, and best practices in higher education.
Excellent leadership, communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to make data-driven decisions to maintain a nimble environment.
Strong problem-solving skills.
Budget management experience.
Change management and innovation.
Commitment to student-centered practices.
Ability to think strategically and see the big picture of this role in the broader landscape of student retention.
Required Documents
Along with the online application, please attach:
Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application
Names and contact information of at least three references should be provided at the beginning of the application.
Letters of recommendation will only be requested from final candidates.
Document size
May not exceed 10 MB.
Advertised Salary
Commensurate With Experience, Plus Excellent Benefits
ADA Employees
Work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms and may lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
College/Department Highlights
The Division of Student Success supports Utah State University’s mission of learning, discovery, and engagement by focusing on the full lifecycle of a learner, from enrollment through graduation. Our division is committed to increasing not only access to education, but access to graduation. We are driven by a passion for student success, achieved by looking beyond the standard practices and pushing each other towards best practices.
University Highlights
Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact. USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state. Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies ’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by recent Mountain West regular-season and tournament championships in women’s volleyball, three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in women’s soccer conference championships, and a first-ever conference championship for gymnastics, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.
Notice of Non-Discrimination
In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.