Associate Director, Career Management

Department: Career Advancement
Salary/Grade: EXS/9

The mission of Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA) is to foster excellence in career development, preparation, and professional opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students and alumni by providing comprehensive services and programming and by promoting strong partnerships with employers, academic departments, and the university community. Learn more about the Northwestern Career Advancement department here: https://www.northwestern.edu/careers/

About Student Affairs: By pursuing justice, equity, and belonging, Student Affairs cultivates student programs, services, and skills; disrupts barriers; and partners across Northwestern and neighboring communities to create an inclusive culture in which all students can thrive. Learn more about the Division of Student Affairs here: https://www.northwestern.edu/studentaffairs/about/strategic-plan/objectives.html

Job Summary:

The Associate Director creates and implements state-of-the-art, cutting-edge programs designed to support the career and professional development of Ph.D. students at Northwestern. The position is a dual report to the Executive Director, of Northwestern Career Advancement and Director of Graduate and Postdoctoral Training and Development, The Graduate School

The position develops relationships with departments, faculty, administration, and student organizations educating them on career services, professional development opportunities, increasing referral opportunities, and consulting on current initiatives. The position manages the relationships between Northwestern Career Advancement and The Graduate School including coordinating and integrating career development and professional development initiatives. The Associate Director supervises the counseling and advising of Ph.D. students as they explore career options and make career development decisions through both one-on-one advising and the development of programs. The position also supervises a full-time Assistant Director dedicated to supporting the career development of Ph.D. students and a graduate student intern in The Graduate School. The position supports NCA's employer development team as they build relationships with employers who are recruiting Ph.D. students. It also supports the graduate and postdoctoral professional development and training team with training grants and some postdoc activities. Finally, the position works with colleagues in NCA and the graduate school and supervises the creation of a website dedicated to the career and professional development of Ph.D. students

The position supports academic initiatives within The Graduate School that are designed to support the professional development of Ph.D. students. This includes various certificate programs, academic and non-academic boot camps, and other campus partner programs. Identifies and collaborates with professional development partners, such as the Center for Leadership, Office of Fellowships, Searle, The Writing Center, etc. across Northwestern. Maintains the Professional Development Online Tools and other platforms such as Beyond the Professoriate tool. The position serves as the liaison to graduate academic departments, and graduate student organizations.

Pay: The salary range for this Associate Director position is $78,000-84,000 annually, depending on experience, skills, and internal equity.

Principal Accountabilities:

(35%) Advising and Counseling

• Manages programs and services that provide customer service-oriented, student-centered guidance and counsel based on individual circumstances, preferences, etc. and in compliance with all associated policies, rules and regulations.
• Manages advising & counseling for complex situations partnering with internal/external resources to provide alternatives and solutions based on specific individual circumstances.

(30%) Relationships

• Partners with internal/external departments, faculty, alumni and employers to identify career pathways and create an outreach plan to engage organizations that will result in opportunities spanning a broad range of industries and geographies.
• Identifies opportunities and develops strategies for connecting students with alumni and industry experts who will provide academic and/or career resources such as mentoring, coaching, lectures, workshops etc.

(15%) Programs and Events

• Develops a comprehensive set of programs such as lectures, speaker series, workshops, conferences, trainings, cultural events etc. in collaboration with internal & external resources.
• Develops proposals & recruits leaders for interdisciplinary programs.
• Manages the ongoing development and refinement of the program's curriculum/topic in consultation with subject matter experts.
• Continually assesses and innovates programs to achieve goals.

(5%) Administration

• Oversees strategic direction of state-of-the-art, cutting-edge programs designed to assist students to manage their professional development and career exploration experiences.
• Creates and manages administrative processes and practices ensuring the seamless flow of work and services.
• Partners with peer institutions to share best practices, cutting-edge delivery of services and resources.
• Manages technology ensuring that resources and services are delivered using best practices.

(5%) Evaluation

• Collaborates with internal/external resources to develop meaningful outcome measurements and methods of program evaluation that will lead to enhancement.
• Interacts with internal/external resources & organizations to identify new resources & opportunities to improve program.

(5%) Marketing and Public Relations

• Directs program marketing/advertising efforts ensuring that resources and services are effectively promoted.

(5%) Supervision

• Supervises 1-2 staff.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 5 years' career counseling/advising in higher education or 5 years' of industry experience; or other relevant experience required; OR
• Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a master's or JD or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 4 years' career counseling/advising in higher education or 4 years' of industry experience; or other relevant experience required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph. D. or demonstrated experience or interest in working with graduate students

Benefits: At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness: Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth and Development: Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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