Director for the Center for Career and Professional Development

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the nation’s oldest and among the top-ranked private, technological research universities, seeks a highly accomplished leader to serve as the Director for the Center for Career and Professional Development.

Under the leadership of President Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D., Rensselaer offers degrees from five schools: Engineering; Science; Architecture; Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences; and the Lally School of Management, as well as an interdisciplinary degree in Information Technology. Institute programs serve undergraduates, graduate students and working professionals around the world. The Institute’s long-standing reputation draws students from across the U.S. and the globe. Rensselaer offers more than 145 programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. The university provides rigorous, engaging, interactive learning environments and campus-wide opportunities for leadership, collaboration and creativity.

The University currently enrolls 5,539 undergraduates and 1,166 graduate students in residential programs. Also, Rensselaer enrolls graduate students in engineering, science and management programs at Rensselaer at Hartford.

The mission of the Student Life Division supports Rensselaer’s over-arching goal to achieve greater prominence in the 21st century as a top-tier world class technological research university with global reach and global impact. In accordance with the Rensselaer Plan 2024, Student Life will endeavor to produce students who graduate with intellectual agility, multicultural sophistication and a global view. Therefore, Student Life will support and assist students in achieving personal and academic success as members of groups and communities, help create enthusiastic alumni/alumnae and help Rensselaer to educate the leaders of tomorrow.

With this mission, and an ongoing commitment to meeting the goals and priorities outlined within the Rensselaer Plan 2024, one of the Institute’s highest priorities is the CLASS Initiative (Clustered Learning, Advocacy and Support for Students). CLASS is designed to provide support and co-curricular opportunities for students throughout their undergraduate years. Through CLASS, students are connected to a network of faculty, staff and other students who lend support and guidance and help to build a strong community of learners as they strive to become the leaders of tomorrow.

About the Position

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Student Transitions, The Director for the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD), develops and implements strategic and proactive career development opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students as well as to alumni/ae of Rensselaer. The Director will engage in extensive outreach on and off campus, working with faculty, alumni, industry and government partners, and other relevant constituent groups to create a shared vision around career readiness and success. The Director will lead the ongoing development of a robust network committed to supporting that vision as an integral component of the academic mission of Rensselaer.

In leading the CCPD, the Director provides career and professional development programs, services and activities either at the individual or group level to undergraduate, graduate students and alumni/ae. Implementation of technological strategies to promote career and professional development programs via social media and other technology programs are also within the Director’s management domain. A key function is to offer a broad range of professional development and recruiting programs, including but not limited to preparing students for on and off campus interviews, career networking strategies and personal professional development activities. The Director plays a key role in the Summer Arch program and provides leadership for ensuring the Institute provides a wide array of personal and professional development opportunities for students during the Summer Arch semester away. In addition, he or she ensures appropriate assessment strategies are in place to measure key performance indicators, including placement rates, through the CCPD, in order to analyze data, prepare reports and recommend strategies for continuous improvement.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must demonstrate the ability to establish a metric-driven interdisciplinary career development program and identify employment and educational trends to meet the changing needs of employers, students and alumni/ae. The incumbent must have experience in developing strategic partnerships through collaborations with academic affairs/faculty and working strategically with employers and diverse constituencies. Fiscal planning and budget management, strategic change management and staff supervision are crucial skills for the Director role. Candidates should possess experience developing corporate funding opportunities and in supporting the development of a broad range of co-op and internship endeavors and industry and government partnerships.

A Master’s degree and five years of progressively responsible experience related to career services, career planning, recruitment, and employment services is required. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in career services in higher education and placement of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) students.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should send a letter of application and resume that relates the applicant’s skills, abilities, knowledge and professional experiences to the stated qualifications for the position and notable achievements. The packet should be sent to DCCPDRPI@wspelman.com. The subject line in the email should be DCCPDRPI.

Confidential inquiries may be made by contacting Megan Spelman at Megan@wspelman.com or at 585-366-4329.

Applications are being reviewed as submitted and will be considered until the position is filled.

All applications are considered confidential and neither references nor will personal or professional contacts be contacted without prior knowledge or approval of the candidate.

Rensselaer has a strong institutional commitment to diversity and is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. As such, the Institute welcomes applicants who will bring a diverse intellectual, geographical, gender, and ethnic perspectives to the Rensselaer community.