Director, Career Center

About the role

The Career Center is a unit within University Advising and Career Development in the Office of Student Success, Division of Academic Affairs. The Career Center supports student career readiness, professional development, experiential learning, employer engagement, and post-graduation success. Through career education, coaching, employer partnerships, and campus collaboration, the Career Center connects students and alumni with resources and opportunities that support informed career decision-making and successful transitions from college to career.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership, Student Success, and Career Ecosystem Development:
  • Provide strategic leadership for Career Center programs and cross-campus career development initiatives that advance student success, career readiness, workforce preparation, and post-graduation outcomes, consistent with university priorities and direction established by the Assistant Vice President.
  • Develop recommendations for, and implement approved, long-range plans and strategic priorities for the Career Center in alignment with Cal Poly Pomona’s strategic priorities, polytechnic mission, and applicable CSU student success initiatives.
  • Coordinate and lead Career Center contributions to institutional efforts that integrate career readiness throughout the student lifecycle and help students develop the knowledge, skills, experiences, and professional competencies necessary for career success and lifelong learning.
  • Establish measurable goals, priorities, and assessment strategies that increase student participation in career development activities, experiential learning, and post-graduation success initiatives.
  • Advance a campus-wide culture that recognizes career readiness and career-connected learning as shared institutional responsibilities across Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, and University Advancement.
• Career Readiness, Student Development, and Program Innovation:
  • Provide leadership for comprehensive career development programs that prepare students to successfully navigate career exploration, professional development, and lifelong career management.
  • Oversee career coaching, counseling, assessments, workshops, and professional development programs that support students and alumni in achieving their educational and career goals.
  • Develop and implement innovative career education initiatives that engage students throughout their academic journey and promote informed career decision-making.
  • Lead efforts to integrate career readiness competencies and workforce preparation into curricular and co-curricular experiences.
  • Ensure career development programs effectively support career exploration, internship preparation, graduate school planning, networking, interviewing, and employment success.
  • Develop targeted initiatives that reduce barriers and promote equitable participation among first-generation students, transfer students, veterans, international students, and historically underserved populations.
• Employer Relations, Industry Engagement, and Career-Connected Learning:
  • Lead the development of strategic partnerships that expand access to internships, employment opportunities, experiential learning, and professional networks.
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive employer engagement strategy that increases recruitment opportunities and strengthens employer partnerships across industries aligned with Cal Poly Pomona's academic programs and workforce priorities.
  • Cultivate and sustain relationships with regional, national, and global employers to expand opportunities for internships, cooperative education, project-based learning, mentorship, and full-time employment.
  • Collaborate with colleges, departments, and faculty to connect employers with academic programs and create pathways that align student learning with workforce needs.
  • Expand access to experiential learning opportunities that support the university's Learn by Doing philosophy and enhance students' career readiness and professional development.
• Assessment, Data Analytics, and Institutional Effectiveness:
  • Provide leadership for assessment, evaluation, and continuous improvement efforts that demonstrate the impact of career development initiatives on student success and post-graduation outcomes.
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive assessment framework to evaluate program effectiveness, student learning, employer engagement, and career outcomes.
  • Analyze labor market information, student engagement data, internship participation, and employment outcomes to inform strategic planning and continuous improvement efforts.
  • Lead administration and reporting of career outcomes surveys, including the First Destination Survey and other CSU reporting requirements, ensuring accurate and timely reporting of student outcomes.
• Personnel, Fiscal, and Operational Leadership:
  • Provide effective stewardship of personnel, financial resources, technology, facilities, and organizational operations.
  • Recruit, supervise, coach, develop, and evaluate Career Center staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
  • Administer the Career Center’s assigned budget and financial resources in alignment with approved priorities, university procedures, and delegated authority.
  • Coordinate contracts, grants, sponsorships, and related financial activities with the appropriate university offices.
  • Oversee Career Center operations, facilities, technology platforms, and organizational systems to maximize service delivery and operational effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in higher education, student affairs, counseling, career development, business administration, human resources, education, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in career services, employer relations, workforce development, higher education administration, advising/counseling, human resources, or a closely related field.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from varied backgrounds and organizational levels.
• Demonstrated leadership ability, including the capacity to lead change, make timely decisions following appropriate consultation, and work effectively within established reporting relationships.
• Strong strategic planning, organizational management, and budget administration skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to student success and higher education.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education administration, student affairs, counseling, career development, business administration, human resources, education, organizational leadership, or a related field.
• Management experience in a collective bargaining environment.
• Experience leading organizational change, service redesign, or implementation of new programs or systems.
• Demonstrated ability to coach and develop staff and align teams around shared goals and service expectations.

Benefits

• Premium benefits: Comprehensive health, dental, vision
• Pension plan with CalPERS, and other voluntary savings plans (403(b), 457, 401(k))
• Work-life balance – Accrue 24 PTO days per year, 14 paid Holidays, 1 personal holiday
• Health savings account, life and AD&D coverage, and more
• Tuition fee waiver for employees and eligible dependents
• Auto/homeowners insurance, pet insurance, and pre-paid legal services
• Child and elder care resources
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)