The Harbert College of Business at Auburn University invites applications for the Executive Director of Career and Employer Initiatives position. This position leads the Harbert College’s distributed career services operations and coordinates career education and employer initiatives within the College; directly oversees the Office of Professional and Career Development (undergraduate career center) and indirectly oversees departmental Program Champions, and Graduate Career Services, particularly for employer outreach and student career outcomes; provides a clear vision and strategic goals for career outcomes; establishes and leads employer relations priorities; and serves as the college’s liaison for university career-related activities. This position reports to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.
Essential Duties:
Strategic Vision and Leadership: Cultivates a robust, high-performance career ecosystem that includes setting the strategic vision, goals, and action plans for college-wide career services; provides leadership and oversight for the Office of Professional and Career Development (OPCD) and the broader distributed network of career services professionals toward the achievement of goals.
Career Readiness Achievement: Establishes and continuously improves a student-oriented career-readiness framework and scorecard; leads performance for and achievement of collegewide career-readiness outcomes.
Employer Relations Achievement: Establishes strategic employer engagement priorities; leads performance for and achievement of college-wide employer engagement outcomes. Guides and coordinates college-wide employer engagement activities.
College and Campus Liaison: Nurtures and leverages relationships with University career services and college partners—academic advising, student recruitment and outreach, advancement, and college leaders.
Management and Budgetary Responsibilities: Fosters a professional culture in the OPCD, including an environment of mutual respect that reinforces the shared values of the Harbert College and the OPCD in particular, a safe and collaborative environment for open dialogue, personal responsibility for communication and character, and an open-minded and unbiased approach in working with staff and students, leading by example for both staff and students. Manages the OPCD operations, budget, personnel, technology, and data.
About the College: The Harbert College of Business has a strong tradition of providing highly desirable graduates and generating knowledge that drives diverse business thought and sustainable business practice. The college and its programs consistently rank among the nation’s best public undergraduate and graduate business programs. The Harbert College has experienced steady enrollment growth in recent years and currently serves well over 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students through six academic departments offering eight undergraduate majors and multiple Masters and Ph.D. options. The college pioneered online masters and executive education programs that are now ranked among the very best in the nation. The college has invested in building a nationally recognized faculty that moves thought forward through research, engages with industry, and delivers relevant and current instruction.
About Auburn University: The Auburn family values tradition, yet eagerly prepares for the future. Rooted in more than 160 years of tradition, Auburn University occupies 1,841 acres and is the academic home to more than 30,000 students. Auburn’s commitment to active student engagement and professional success, and public/private partnerships garners a growing reputation for outreach and extension that delivers broad economic, health and societal impact. Auburn University is one of the best places to work in the state of Alabama, according to the 2022 America’s Best-in-State Employers list released by Forbes magazine.
Location: Auburn, AL, is a vibrant and thriving college town and community. Southern Living recently recognized the city of Auburn as one of the top small towns in the South, and Money magazine named Auburn the best place to live in Alabama. Known as the ‘Loveliest Village on the Plains,’ Auburn offers a high quality of life, including a vibrant cultural scene at the new Gogue Performing Arts Center, SEC sports throughout the academic year, national award-winning chefs and restaurants, a K-12 school system that is top-ranked in the state, general and concierge healthcare options, and an exceptional College of Veterinary Medicine for pet care. Chewacla State Park, just five miles from campus, offers camping, hiking, mountain biking, and swimming and boating opportunities. Auburn’s historical sister town, Opelika, is a fifteen-minute drive and has become known for its eclectic downtown offerings, including multiple breweries, boutiques, and hobby shops. The Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport is only 90 minutes away, with numerous shuttle service options to/from Auburn daily. Birmingham is a similar drive to the north, and Montgomery, the state capital, is only 50 minutes to the southwest. Beaches and mountains are only a 3–4-hour drive.
Our Commitment: Auburn University is committed to a diverse and inclusive campus environment. Visit www.auburn.edu/inclusion to learn more about our commitment to expanding equity and inclusion for all.
AUBURN UNIVERSITY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by applicable law.
Minimum Qualifications:
Master’s degree from an accredited institution in Business, Higher Education, or related field.
Minimum of 10 years of related professional experience with 5+ years leading career and employer initiatives, and managing career services professionals in an academic or corporate setting. At least 2 years of experience directly supervising fulltime employees.
Knowledge of budgeting practices, strategic planning, promotional strategies, qualitative and quantitative assessment and University policies and procedures.
A description of the applicant’s Leadership Philosophy must be included in the cover letter.
AUBURN UNIVERSITY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by applicable law.
