Position Overview

The Director of the Center for Career Development is a transformative leader committed to student development, success, and career readiness. As a member of the Launch leadership team, the Director works collaboratively to ensure that all students graduate connected, confident in knowing their purpose, and capable of entering today’s workforce. 

The Director will develop a vision for the Center for Career Development and provide strategic leadership for all aspects of the Center’s essential work which includes:

• Provide students with highly informed, individualized guidance on career design and professional development relevant to their personal, academic, and professional goals. 
• Direct and deliver effective career services to Drew’s diverse communities through career coaching, programs, and events that account for unique needs of all students. 
• Design and implement a robust employer relations program to yield connections and internships supporting students and alumni in achieving successful post-graduation outcomes.
• Represent Career Development on university committees and consult with faculty on regional, state-wide and national industry and employment trends to further students’ knowledge on career pathways.
• Leverage technology to create and scale a robust virtual presence that supports students’ career readiness and connects them with employers and alumni. 
• Develop a team that communicates critical information clearly and cultivates relationships across campus.
• Lead, train, and mentor three, industry-focused assistant directors and other staff engaged with career development efforts; hire, train, and equip new staff as needed.
• Manage center operations and budget, and the systematic collection and analysis of engagement and outcome data to inform decisions about current and future strategic planning and allocation of resources.

This is a full-time, exempt position that requires regular weekly in-person engagement on campus, and the successful candidate will report to the Executive Director of Launch. 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; master's preferred.
• 5+ years leadership experience and demonstrable success in career services, employer relations, facilitation of career or transferable skill development, or workforce initiatives.
• Broad knowledge and understanding of best practices in university career services, student career and professional development, career readiness, and career opportunities for students in diverse programs and majors. 
• Knowledge of and experience with career counseling/coaching techniques utilizing self-assessment tools and strategies to engage students and alumni in successful career decision-making.
• Experience engaging and working with a broad range of internal (e.g., students, Deans, faculty, and staff) and external (e.g., employers, alums, and other community members) constituents to meet the Center’s strategic objectives.
• Appreciation for and experience with leveraging technology that provides users with comprehensive access to virtual networking and experiential opportunities, and innovative tools for effective services and collaboration.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication (oral, written, and presentation), listening, and analytical skills. 
• Organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage complex projects collaboratively and plan strategically. 
• The ability to work with diverse constituents and a commitment to an environment that considers diversity, inclusion, and equity an asset to decision-making and performance.

Application Instructions

Please read these application instructions carefully and do not apply through this portal. Applications not sent directly to the email provided below will not be considered.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, current resume, and three references as one document, either in Word or a PDF. The file name should start with your first name and then your last name, such as “John Doe - Drew Application.” This should be emailed to search@careerleadershipcollective.com with the email subject of “Application for Drew Director Career Development.”

To be considered, interested applicants should submit the requested materials no later than Sunday, April 23, 2023 by 11:59 EDT.

This position offers a competitive salary and benefits.

To enrich education through diversity, Drew University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Following federal and state requirements, a candidate must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States if selected for hire. This position is subject to a background check. 

About Drew University

Drew University, a Phi Beta Kappa liberal arts university, includes the College of Liberal Arts, the Drew Theological School and the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies. Drew is located on a beautiful, wooded campus in Madison, New Jersey, a thriving small town close to New York City.

It has a total enrollment of more than 2,200 students and has 136 full-time faculty members, 96% of whom hold the terminal degree in their field. The Theological and Caspersen schools offer master’s and doctoral degrees, and the College confers BA and BS degrees in 40 disciplines and offers 19 dual-degree programs.

Drew’s one-of-a-kind, leading edge path to an undergraduate degree, Launch, ensures that every student graduates with a purpose, sought-after transferable skills, a network of mentors, and an experience-based résumé—guaranteed. Particularly noteworthy opportunities for undergraduates include the Charles A. Dana Research Institute for Scientists Emeriti (RISE), the Drew Summer Science Institute (DSSI), the Center for Civic Engagement, as well as seven New York City semesters and several international study abroad programs.

The Caspersen School of Graduate Studies offers a wide array of distinctive and flexible advanced degree programs designed to meet the needs of almost any busy schedule. All programs are based on Drew’s renowned commitment to faculty-student mentorship, opportunities for out-of-the-classroom experiential learning, and facilitating a robust intellectual community. 

The Theological School has a distinguished history rooted in the United Methodist Church. Today, it serves many denominations as a center for preparing clergy and leaders for service in the church and the world. Its focus on biblical and theological scholarship and social justice has made it a sought after destination for students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees.