NACE JobWire

The Department of Student Affairs (DSA) is a forward-thinking student success operation committed to its role as the leading custodial unit guiding the student experience at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). Staff members within Student Affairs are expected to positively contribute to our mission of supporting students in the co-curricular environment and provide an experience that inspires students academically, intellectually, personally, and emotionally.

The Director of Career and Experiential Learning provides leadership to the Center for Career Readiness to continue and expand UNC’s initiatives related to career, work-based, and experiential learning. The Director leads career readiness services and initiatives, including career counseling, employer relations, work-based learning, student employment, graduate school preparation, and integrating career readiness competencies into the academic curriculum and co-curricular experience. The Director supervises staff, manages the strategy and execution of daily operations for the area, and develops and implements strategic plans for career readiness across the institution, as informed by institutional priorities, DSA curriculum, best practices, and key stakeholders. The Director creates and maintains collaborative relationship with institutional partners including those in academic affairs, development, and alumni relations, in addition to external industry stakeholders and alumni.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Unit Leadership – 40%

• Inform strategic vision for career readiness and experiential learning in consultation with the Dean of Student Development and in alignment with the Student Affairs curriculum, institutional priorities, and research on high impact practices.
• Lead the implementation of strategic initiatives, including integrating career readiness competencies into the academic curriculum, career counseling, employer relations, work-based learning, and student programming (including student employment, graduate school preparation, experiential-/service-learning opportunities), and employment and internship fairs.
• Lead initiatives to support student learning objectives through on campus student employment opportunities. Provide resources to on campus employers regarding student staff supervision, training, and learning and development opportunities.
• Lead initiatives to support student learning, sense of belonging, and retention through leadership/scholarship programs (i.e., Reisher and Daniels Scholars programs) within the Department of Student Affairs.
• Create effective procedures and oversee daily operations for the Center for Career Readiness.
• Engage in ethical and fiscally responsible budgeting practices. Forecast and allocate fiscal, human, capital, and technological resources to align with strategic vision; generate revenue through annual job and internship fairs.
• Conduct regular assessment and program reviews in accordance with Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS), National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and other appropriate professional competency standards.
• Create systems and documented processes to gather and maintain accurate data related to students, employers, and placement sites using Handshake.
• Maintain awareness of national and regional economic trends and share this information with campus community.

Supervision– 30%

• Hire, supervise, train, develop, and evaluate Center for Career Readiness staff, including direct and indirect supervision of 3-6 fulltime staff, 2-4 Graduate Assistants, and student employees/interns.

 Communication and Collaboration – 20%

• Develop and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with Academic Affairs, University Advancement, Alumni Relations, DEI, Student Affairs, and other campus partners that promote career readiness and experiential learning.
• Develop and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with external stakeholders, including employers, alumni, donors, industry partners, site supervisors, and leaders within the Colorado Department of Higher Education.
• Collaborate with Office of Assessment to provide feedback on annual alumni survey and utilize survey data for decision-making.
• Co-Chair the campus-wide Career Readiness Committee.

General Administration – 10%

• Provide direct support to large events and fairs sponsored by the Center for Career Readiness.
• Participate in DSA and university-wide committees.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education

• Minimum qualifications include an earned Bachelor’s degree.
• Preferred qualifications include an earned Master’s degree in student affairs, higher education administration, counseling, business, public administration, or related discipline.

Experience

• Minimum:
  • 5-7 years of progressive professional experience in areas such as career services, student affairs, college or corporate recruitment, or comparable areas.
  • Experience managing and supervising staff.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of current issues and trends related to higher education career services and student development.
• Preferred:
  • Prior experience in a university career center.
  • Experience with career services online database systems, such as Handshake.
  • Experience working with student affairs curriculum and assessment.

Ability

• Excellent and demonstrated skills in organization and systems/strategic thinking.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to lead, inspire, and motivate team members.
• Collaborate and foster mutually beneficial relationships with a variety of stakeholders, both inside and outside the institution.
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills, emotional intelligence, and independent judgement.
• Commitment to working with students and staff of diverse backgrounds.
• Computer skills including Microsoft Office, mainframe systems, and virtual meeting products.