Director, Career Programs and Engagement

The Director Career Programs and Engagement develops and implements multiple programming areas in the Center for Career & Professional Development, including academic engagement with each college, internship program, employer outreach, and students who have an undeclared major.

• Oversees the creation and implementation of career programming within each college career center in line with the needs and expectations of that college and its students.
• Facilitates all initiatives for the internship program.
• Creates, tracks, and achieves employer outreach and development goals.
• Establishes, develops, and maintains relationships with each college dean, faculty, and staff, for embedded professional development specialists in each college.
• Coordinates with all professional development specialists regarding internships from both the student and employer sides.
• Provides individual career coaching sessions, workshop presentations, and career assessment testing.
• Provides at-risk students with assistance in selecting a degree/major that is attainable and keeps them in school.
• Leads office initiatives to serve local elementary, middle, high school, and community colleges by providing career programming as requested.

• Performs all other duties as assigned.
• Supports institutional, divisional, and departmental programming and events.

Direct Reports:

• None

Delegation of Work:

• N/A

Supervision Given:

• N/A

Required Education:

• Master's degree in counseling, Advising, Higher Education Administration, Human Resources, Social Work or related field

Required Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years of related job experience

License/Certification:

• N/A

• Experience working in a career services capacity at the university level
• Experience working with underserved student populations
• Experience with employer outreach and development
• Experience in developing job internships

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the career coaching and guidance counseling functions in a higher education environment, and

  the related trends, issues, and accepted practices

Skills:

• Good technical skills, including proficiency in MS Excel and in using CRM systems.
• Strong attention to detail as well as strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills.

Abilities:

• Ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a university.
• Ability touse all relevant software and technology platforms or other programs used by the university.
• Ability to handle sensitive student information; ability to represent the university professionally.
• Ability to apply critical thinking; ability to be creative.

Primary Work Location:

• Works in an office environment.

Physical Demands:

• Work is performed in a typical, comfortable interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any unpleasant elements; individual has discretion in relation to walking, standing etc., and has minimal exposure to physical risks.

Commitment to Excellence - UHD

• Demonstrates a commitment to competently perform his/her job duties and responsibilities within established time frames.
• Continuously strives to improve work performance.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her commitments to the university.
• Contributes to the success of the university by consistently providing quality results in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.

Integrity

• Demonstrates high ethical standards of conduct in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her actions.
• Respects and complies with department and university policies, procedures, and work rules.

Respect and Cooperation

• Treats others with courtesy, respect, and dignity in the workplace.
• Promotes cooperation through open and honest communications and consideration of others ideas, thoughts, and opinions.

Dependability

• Takes responsibility to accomplish job assignments within reasonable deadlines.
• Willing to accept new projects and/or commitments.
• Does due diligence to complete projects within specified timeframes and/or fulfill commitments.
• Arrives to work on time prepared and ready to contribute.

Flexibility

• Willingly adjusts to changing work assignments or conditions.
• Open to changes in operational procedures, technology, and/or organizational structure.
• Views changes as opportunities for learning and professional development.
• Displays a positive attitude to encourage others.
• Promptly responds to changes in work priorities and/or unexpected circumstances or situations.

Proficiency

• Possesses required job skills and knowledge.
• Demonstrates the ability to apply those skills and knowledge to competently perform his/her job duties and assignments.

Focus on Customer Service

• Focuses on customer's needs and expectations. (Customers can be students, external constituents, employees, or university guests.)
• Respectfully ascertains customer's needs and determines appropriate response.
• Promptly responds by providing requested information, takes appropriate action, or refers customer to appropriate individual or department.
• If further actions need to be taken, advises customers of realistic timeframes for a response to their request.
• Follows up with customers on outstanding requests in a timely manner.
• Tactfully explains to customers why their needs and/or expectations cannot be met if the university does not provide the requested information or services.

Operations Management

• Manages department or section operations consistent with department/section goals and objectives.
• Administers the department/section budget ensuring effective utilization of financial resources and appropriate disbursement of funds.
• Fosters a cooperative and productive work environment through motivation, encouragement, and mentorship of staff.
• Ensures department/section compliance with university and department policies, procedures, and work rules.
• Keeps management apprised of department/section activities and issues requiring senior management input.

Research and Analysis

• Applies knowledge and skills to collect and analyze relevant data and information.
• Assesses benefits and risks, and prepares comprehensive reports of findings.
• Submits recommendations for management's review and evaluation.

Building External Relationships

• Demonstrates the ability to build rapport and develop relationships with external constituents.
• Displays a genuine interest in constituents' ideas and concerns, and pursues mutual interests and aspirations between the university and external constituents.
• Builds trust and forms alliances through shared respect and cooperation.

Student Success Direct Support

• Assists and/or advises students and/or prospective students with academic plans and course selection, financial options, career plans, and/or student opportunities.
• Contributes to student success through careful monitoring of student progress within caseload.
• Promotes student success through regular and persistent outreach to student caseload.
• Provides encouragement and guidance to foster student success.
• Shares relevant knowledge and insight to apprise students of programs and services available to them.
• Listens and responds to student requests and concerns with patience and understanding.
• Treats students with respect.