Career Coach (part-time, evenings)

Calvin University; Grand Rapids; On-site; CAD 52,000 - 72,000; Part time

Job summary

Calvin University seeks a Career Coach to support adult learners, graduate students, and alumni in career advancement. You will provide coaching, resume and interview preparation, and resources to expand opportunities.

The role requires evening availability and offers flexible options to meet adult learner needs. You will develop employer relationships, lead workshops, and collaborate with faculty to integrate career content into programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in a related field.
• 3–5 years of career coaching, workforce development, or related experience.
• Experience with adult learners, graduate students, and alumni is a plus.
• Familiarity with mid-career hiring trends and workforce development.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized career coaching for job searching, resumes, and interviews.
• Administer career assessments and maintain coaching records.
• Develop relationships with employers and expand recruitment opportunities.
• Design and deliver workshops for graduate students, adult learners, and alumni.
• Collaborate with faculty and campus partners to embed career content.

Skills

Coaching

Employer relations

Communication

Networking

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Handshake

Job description

Summary

This position supports adult learners, graduate students, and alumni in developing clarity, confidence, and strategy for career advancement and transition. The Career Coach provides high-quality career coaching while building and maintaining relationships with employers seeking experienced, mid-career, and advanced-degree talent. Some evening availability is required to accommodate adult learners and alumni.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Adult, Graduate, and Alumni Career Coaching
  • Provide individualized career coaching related to job searching, resumes, interview preparation, continuing education, career transitions, and advancement strategies.
  • Administer and interpret career assessments.
  • Maintain accurate coaching records in Handshake or relevant systems.
  • Offer flexible coaching options (evening/virtual) to meet adult learner needs.
  • Develop targeted communication strategies to share relevant job opportunities, events, and career resources.
  • Stay current on trends in adult career development, graduate employment outcomes, and the evolving workforce.
• Employer Relations (Experience Talent Pipeline)
  • Develop and manage relationships with employers seeking graduate-level and experienced professionals.
  • Conduct proactive outreach to expand recruitment opportunities beyond entry-level roles.
  • Collaborate with the employer relations team and serve as the primary contact for employers interested in recruiting adult learners, alumni, and graduate students.
  • Maintain employer engagement data using CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Handshake).
  • Collaborate with campus partners to align employer needs with talent pipelines.
  • Represent the Career Center at industry events, networking functions, and employer meetings.
  • Support storytelling and promotion of graduate and alumni talent through communications and social media.
• Programming, Campus Collaboration & Professional Development
  • Design and deliver workshops and resources tailored to graduate students, adult learners, and alumni (e.g., career pivots, leadership advancement, networking strategies).
  • Build and maintain relationships with faculty members in assigned academic departments.
  • Partner with faculty and program directors to embed career content into graduate curriculum.
  • Support Career Center events, including career fairs, networking events, and employer information sessions.
  • Serve as a liaison for campus offices serving specific populations.
  • Engage in ongoing training related to career coaching, employer relations, and labor market insights.
• Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s degree preferred in higher education, counseling, business, or related field.
• Experience: Minimum 3–5 years in career coaching, workforce development, talent acquisition, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Preferred: Experience working with adult learners, graduate students, and alumni populations.
• Knowledge: Demonstrated understanding of mid-career hiring practices and workforce trends.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong coaching and advising skills for career transition and advancement.
• Ability to build and sustain employer partnerships and networks.
• Comfort working with individuals at different career stages, including experienced professionals.
• Strong written, verbal communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently in a part-time, flexible schedule environment.
• Familiarity with career management systems (e.g., Handshake) and CRM tools preferred.

Faith and Educational Commitment

• Commitment to the educational mission of Calvin as a Christian liberal arts University affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church.
• A commitment to the Christian faith and to the integration of faith, learning, and student development.

Diversity Commitment

• Demonstrated awareness and commitment to effectively establishing relationships and positive communication across multiple dimensions of diversity, including but not limited to race, gender, physical limitations, class, or religious perspectives.