Director of Career Works

Occupational Summary:

The Director of Career Works implements an entrepreneurial vision to advance career readiness throughout the student experience. This leadership position develops, manages, and assesses an integrated student development operation that delivers innovative, user-friendly programs and support to all students, alumni, employers, faculty, staff, and community partners. The Director of Career Works reports to the Provost & Dean of the College and collaborates with colleagues in Community Connections/Impact Beloit, the Advancement division, faculty, and staff, as well as with external partners, including alumni and employers.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:

Center Management & Assessment

• Develops and leads short- and long-range operating plans, including budgets, programs, services, personnel, technology, and space.
• Recruits, hires, supervises, and supports the ongoing professional development of Career Works professional staff.
• Directs the collection, analysis, and use of data for center assessment, including student engagement metrics, first destination outcomes, and required institutional and regulatory reporting.
• Oversees and coordinates across administrative units transportation for student internship placements.

Student Advising

• Provides individualized advising to students on career development, experiential learning, and post-graduate planning.
• Connects students with alumni mentors and professional networks through collaboration with Advancement, faculty, and employer partners.
• Maintains current knowledge of career development theory, workforce and community engagement trends, and best practices in alumni and employer relations.

Strategic Planning

• Develops and sustains the mission and vision of a comprehensive career center aligned with the curriculum, workforce trends, and the College's mission and commitment to supporting student success.
• Collaborates with faculty and staff in Academic Affairs and Student Life to advance career development and student success initiatives.
• Partners with Advancement/Alumni Engagement to develop opportunities for alumni involvement in career development programming.
• Partners with School and Center Directors to improve coordination and efficiency in advising, alumni engagement, and programming.
• Leads the design, implementation, and transition of pilot programs and courses, transferring ongoing execution to appropriate faculty or staff once initiatives are stabilized.
• Represents the college as needed at external events and professional associations.

Programming

• Leads the development and management of the annual calendar of career and professional development programming for students.
• Provides strategic oversight for large-scale career and professional development initiatives, including career fairs, boot camps, retreats, and related events.

Instruction

• May teach for-credit internship and Impact Beloit courses as appropriate to support Career Works programming and student development.
• Provides leadership and vision for partner development, employer engagement, and student placements within the Concierge Internship Program and similar programs.

Credentials and Experience:

1. Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred; plus at least seven years of progressively responsible experience in career development, community engagement, volunteer management, or related field.
2. Experience working with undergraduate students of diverse backgrounds; experience in liberal arts settings preferred. Experience working with graduate students is a plus.
3. Experience developing and implementing career development, community-engagement, or other student development programs.
4. Experience developing programs and services that support students from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
5. Experience hiring, training, supervising, and evaluating employees.
6. Experience with budget development and management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Understanding of and commitment to a liberal arts education and the role of experiential education, career development and preparation, and community engagement in the liberal arts environment.
2. Ability to develop and to contribute to learning and work environments welcoming to people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
3. Ability to work collaboratively and professionally with multiple individuals, departments across campus, and external stakeholders.
4. Ability to cultivate relationships with potential internship sites, employers, alumni, and community partners.
5. Expertise with and understanding of effective approaches, emerging trends, and innovations to academic, professional, and career development for undergraduate students.
6. Knowledge of federal and state employment laws and regulations, and public sector employment policies and procedures relevant to career development, internships, employment, and experiential learning.
7. Demonstrated ability in the areas of outreach, marketing, and collaboration.
8. Strong written and oral communication, advising, and collaboration skills.
9. Excellent problem-solving and innovation skills.
10. Proficiency with technological tools used in career development.
11. Computer proficiency, including experience with Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, Chat), Microsoft Windows environment, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), computer assisted career guidance/assessment programs, online career information management programs, and online career research methods.
12. Ability to oversee recordkeeping and reporting systems and procedures.
13. Flexibility and willingness to perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

The intent of this job description is to provide the general nature and level of work required of employees who are assigned to this classification and shall not be construed as an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities. Employees may be instructed to perform job-related duties and responsibilities other than those specifically presented in this description.