Director of Career Services

Full-time - Director

Banner Elk, NC

Educational Services

About the position

The Director of Career Services is responsible for using best practice models linking academic learning to post graduation outcomes. The Director accomplishes this through the planning, organization, implementation, and evaluation of career and professional development services, and through programs provided to students and alumni. This leadership role requires a strategic thinker with a passion for guiding individuals toward fulfilling career paths, including graduate school enrollment. The Director of Career Services will establish a center for career services as a campus hub for career preparation and will extend the reach of professional development initiatives through collaboration with various campus stakeholders, employers, community members, and industry partners to support students and alumni in career, graduate and professional school opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Communicate verbally and in written materials a visionary design for The Career Services Center based on best practice models linking academic learning to post graduation outcomes, including career and graduate pathways.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan for the CSC aligned with the College's mission by collecting and analyzing data on programming and services and maintaining awareness of market trends and economic needs of the region and beyond.
• Continuously assess the effectiveness of the CSC and utilize technology and data analytics to enhance service delivery and measure the impact of career services on student outcomes.
• Gather First Destination information from graduates via the graduation survey and analyze and disseminate career outcomes' results.
• Maintain and regularly update social media accounts for The Career Services Center, including Career services, job boards, and other professional media accounts.
• Recruit, train, and supervise student workers and staff, who work within the CSC.
• Manage the CSC budget effectively, allocating resources to maximize impact and achieve strategic objectives.
• Serve on campus committees as assigned.
• Collaborate with academic departments to integrate career development and graduate planning activities into the curriculum and to promote experiential learning opportunities.
• Collaborate with Student Affairs to create seamless opportunities in and out of the classroom for career, graduate school, and professional development.
• Conduct individual and group sessions with students and alumni on topics including major and career exploration, skill/interest inventories, graduate school preparation, job and internship search assistance, and other services as needed.
• Cultivate relationships with alumni and community leaders to facilitate mentorship opportunities, internships, and career advancement support.
• Build relationships with local and regional employers; create both formal and information opportunities for student interaction with employers.
• Forge partnerships with local, national, and international employers to create internship, co-op, and job opportunities for students and graduates.
• Collaborate with the Burton Center for Student Success and Student Affairs for Summer Orientation events during the summer months and Course Compass at the beginning of Fall and Spring semesters.
• Work in collaboration with the Director of the Ratchford Writing Center and with Student Affairs to provide resume and cover letter review services, mock interviews, and etiquette dinners.
• Oversee the resources, programming, and coursework that align with the Professional Preparation Modules within the General Education curriculum.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate campus wide career development and employer engagement opportunities including job and graduate school fairs, networking events, on-campus recruitment events, formal etiquette dinners, career development workshops.
• Organize workshops, seminars, and networking events to foster career readiness and enhance employability skills.
• Maintain and publicize job and internship opportunities on the Lees-McRae Job Board.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Counseling, Career Counseling, Student Development, Business, Higher Education Administration or related field.
• Three to Five years working in career development/services at an institution of higher education.
• Strong understanding of career development theories, assessment tools, and job market trends.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities with a track record of building successful partnerships and leading teams.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in data analysis, career outcomes' tracking and reporting, and technology platforms used in career services (e.g., data collection, data analysis, virtual career services).
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion with experience serving diverse student populations.

Nice-to-haves

• PhD in Counseling, Career Counseling, Student Development.

Benefits

• Full-time position with typical hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
• Occasional travel to visit local employers is expected.