Director, Career Center

Redeemer University; Golden Horseshoe; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established institution is seeking a dynamic Director for its Career Centre. This pivotal role involves overseeing experiential learning and career programs, fostering employer relationships, and enhancing student access to career preparation opportunities. The Director will lead strategic initiatives, manage staff, and ensure the Centre meets its goals through collaboration and innovation. This is an exciting opportunity to play a crucial role in shaping students' career paths and enhancing their transition into the workforce. Join a forward-thinking team committed to empowering students and making a meaningful impact in their lives.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in career development and experiential education.
• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree with relevant certifications.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Career Centre's operations and strategic planning.
• Build relationships with employers to enhance student opportunities.
• Lead programming for co-op and internship development.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Networking Skills

Placement and Vocational Counselling

Customer Relations Management

Experiential Education

Education

Master’s Degree

Bachelor’s Degree plus Certification

Career Development Practitioner Certificate

Human Resources Professional Association Ontario Certificate

Job description

The Position

The Director, Career Centre, oversees experiential learning and career programs, builds and maintains employer relationships, and develops policies and programming to enhance student access to career preparation opportunities. The Director, Career Centre oversees the creation of new co-op and internship programs across various disciplines and provides strategic leadership to staff, aiming to help students discover their career paths, engage in experiential learning, and transition successfully into the workforce.

The Director, Career Centre interacts with five main populations: institutional leadership; faculty; staff; students; and external organizations (employers).

This is a Full-Time (100%FTE) role and is a replacement role.

Responsibilities

The Director provides overall leadership, vision, and day-to-day management of the Career Centre, working closely with students, faculty, staff, and employers. Key responsibilities include strategic planning, staff oversight, partnership development, and ensuring the Centre’s goals are met through collaborative and well-executed initiatives.

CENTER LEADERSHIP

• Lead periodic visioning every 3–5 years and annual goal setting for co-ops, internships, and career advising.
• Develop the annual budget for the academic year, metrics, and ensure ongoing analysis of outcomes.
• Oversee the academic year’s programming and evaluate success against established goals.
• Direct and coordinate staff contributions and track all partnership activity in the Centre’s database.
• Ensure an integrated approach to partnership development
• Provide daily direction and support to all Career Centre staff.
• Conduct formal performance evaluations at the end of each academic year.
  
  

CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION

• Lead strategic planning for continuous improvement of the co-op program.
• Consult with the Experiential Learning Committee on changes to policies and procedures and make recommendations to guide program direction and development.
• Resolve complex issues between students and employers, especially those beyond the Experiential Learning Committee’s capacity (e.g., skill gaps or unrealistic expectations).
• Oversee the Administrative Assistant to ensure effective handling of all operational details of the co-op program.
• Liaise with the Advancement Division and other University departments to explore and maximize partner engagement opportunities.
  
  

PARTNER DEVELOPMENT & RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

• Lead efforts to build relationships with businesses and organizations to increase visibility and employer engagement with Redeemer’s career portal.
• Aim to expand opportunities for students in co-op, internships, part-time, and co-curricular roles.
• Represent the university at networking events and strengthen Redeemer University’s reputation in the broader community through strategic communication and public relations.
• Prospect for new employer partnerships, including alumni and existing university partners.
• Participate in organizing and attending recruiting events like Career + Calling and Connect-to-Careers.
• Engage regularly with partners to secure co-op terms, internships, and full-time positions for students and graduates.
• Provide leadership in developing programming that supports students' transition into the workforce.
• Oversee workshops, job fairs, and counselling services to equip students with job search and employment readiness skills.
  
  

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

• Conduct feasibility studies with faculty and Centre staff to assess the need for new co-op programs, based on market demand for experiential learning and career readiness.
• Launch new co-op programs using established models, collaborating closely with faculty and staff and lead efforts to obtain CEWIL accreditation
• Collaborate with faculty in disciplines lacking internships to create opportunities that align with university and professional standards.
• Partner with Admissions and academic departments to inform prospective and current students about experiential learning, career preparation resources, and employment opportunities.
  
  

Preferred Skills And Attributes

• Interpersonal, communication, and networking skills to effectively promote the Redeemer University and its students.
• 5+ years of experience
• Experience in placement and vocational counselling
• Business experience with managing customer relations
• Direct experience in experiential education would be a significant asset.
  
  

Education, Training & Certifications

• Master’s Degree OR
• Bachelor’s Degree plus Certification
• Career Development Practitioner Certificate or Human Resources Professional Association Ontario Certificate
  
  

Other Requirements

• Understanding of Redeemer University (mission, values, and Reformed Christian identity)
  
  

The Application Process

Applicants are requested to email their application materials (cover letter and resume) and include a statement that articulates their faith perspective and its relation to the mission of Redeemer University. A range of qualifications are evaluated including distinguishing characteristics that demonstrate congruence with our identity as a university in the Protestant and Reformed Christian tradition. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.