Executive Director, Career Services

Executive Director, Career Services
Job No: 24114
Department: Career Services
Work Type: Staff - Full Time
Location: Main Campus (Houghton, MI)
Full Time / Part Time: Full Time
Categories: Student Affairs

Job Description Summary

As Michigan's flagship technological university, Michigan Tech is positioned as a leader in creating opportunities for all students to realize their professional aspirations. The Executive Director of Career Services provides creative visioning, strategic direction, and empowered leadership to a dynamic team of professionals within the Division of Student Affairs.
Collaboration with industry representatives as well as academic units, the Enterprise and senior design programs, and advancement professionals across campus calls for an innovative, data-driven, and energetic leader. The executive director will possess these characteristics and will elevate Michigan Tech Career Services to promote industry engagement and provide professional development and career readiness programming that is nationally recognized.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities (other duties may be assigned)

● Collaborate and enhance relationships with academic faculty, department chairs, and deans to share up-to-date information on industry trends and career outcomes and to understand and meet the needs of all undergraduate and graduate students
● Cultivate and maintain external relationships, partnerships, and collaborations with industry/corporate representatives; be a key point of contact between the Student Affairs leadership team and these entities
● Lead a team of career advisors, career development, and employer relations staff. This includes hiring, training, supervision, evaluation, and professional development of these staff.
● Oversee the delivery of comprehensive career education and preparation services for students across all disciplines at Michigan Tech. Analyze and evaluate data to ensure these services are meeting the intersecting needs and interests of students and employers.
● Partner with industry, government agencies, and organizations to encourage their involvement in signature events such as Career Fair and Career Fest, create innovative opportunities for collaboration, and develop exceptional employment (full-time, co-op, and internship) opportunities for students.
● Oversee the administration of the First-Destination Survey to graduating students; evaluate and disseminate results to campus stakeholders.
● Develop short- and long-term strategic plans that are aligned with the mission, vision, and goals of both the Division of Student Affairs and the University.
● Engage with and leverage the talents and expertise of faculty, staff, community leaders, and alumni to support and create career opportunities for students.
● Maintain a close working relationship with the Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement, including Corporate & Foundation Relations
● Serve as a representative for Student Affairs at on- and off-campus events, including but not limited to undergraduate and graduate design expos and research symposia, local and regional economic development events, and other networking opportunities.
● Identify, procure, and maintain technologies and software that enhance service delivery and overall efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
● Develop, monitor and effectively manage departmental budgets.
● Participate and actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives and strategies and apply knowledge to everyday work.
● Actively engage in creating an inclusive, welcoming, and professional work environment for staff, students, and visitors.
● Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures (minimum requirements)

● Master's degree.

Required Experience (minimum requirements)

● Five or more years of experience in career development or corporate relations in a higher education setting
● Five or more years of progressive supervisory responsibility
● Demonstrated project management experience
● Demonstrated experience managing budgets
● Demonstrated experience with Handshake or other career preparation and management software
● Program assessment and evaluation experience

Desirable Education and/or Experience

● Experience leading a higher education career services department.
● Experience at a STEM-related institution of higher education.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities (minimum requirements)

Skills
● Communication skills: Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
● Self-management skills: ability to manage time effectively, learn and contribute to overall departmental tasks and goals.
● Project coordination skills: ability to lead or contribute to planning or organizing projects, programs, services, etc.
● Conflict resolution skills: ability to use interpersonal skills to develop and maintain positive professional relationships and resolve conflict in a team environment and with individuals from various diverse backgrounds and experiences.
● Analytical skills: ability to analyze information and offer sound recommendations.
● Computational skills: ability to perform basic mathematical computations to assist with financial operations and/or data collection, analysis, and reporting.
● Computer skills: proficiency with word processing and spreadsheet software, preferably Microsoft Office or Google Suite.
Abilities
● Ability to function effectively and make sound decisions in stressful and crisis situations.
● Ability to handle multiple projects, services, activities, etc. in a timely and professional manner in a fast-paced and results-oriented environment.
● Ability to promote and achieve diversity, equity, and inclusion of
multi-racial/ethnic, low-income, LGBTQ+, veteran, non-traditional, online, disability, first-generation, and others.
● Ability to be flexible, diplomatic, patient, service-driven, and a self-starter.
● Ability to work independently under limited supervision and in teams.
● Ability to make reasoned administrative and procedural decisions and judgments on sensitive and confidential issues.
● Ability to work evening and weekend hours based on operational need.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

● Coursework, military, or work-based knowledge of student development theories, learning theories, and other theories related to the profession.
● Knowledge of generational college students and the ability to design generation- and audience-specific programs/events/services.
● Experience with applying formative, summative, qualitative, and/or quantitative methodologies to assessing student learning outcomes and/or evaluating programs and services.
● Ability to collaborate on or design brochures, event flyers, and/or newsletters and develop and manage social media accounts.
● Experience with program databases or software programs used to track, monitor, and report services to students.
● Ability to plan and execute programs and services based on social justice, cultural responsiveness, anti-racism, and civility.
● Ability to develop and manage social media accounts

● Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons from diverse backgrounds, creating a sense of belonging, and fostering a fair, objective, welcoming place to work for persons with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints. **

Language, Mathematics and/or Reasoning Skills

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
● Moving small- to medium-sized boxes of materials in and out office during special events
● Driving personal or university vehicles during special events to transport materials and supplies to events
● The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate
● Fast-paced

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Personal Protective Equipment: None Required

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.

Required University Training:

Employee Safety Overview

Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training

Annual Data Security Training

Annual Title IX Training

Required Departmental Training:

Ongoing professional development to be determined.

Background Check:

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Other Conditions of Employment:

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%)
1.00

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

Shift

Pay Rate/Salary

Negotiable, based on experience

Title of Position Supervisor

Vice President for Student Affairs

Posting Type

Internal & External
Dependent on Funding

No