Assistant Director for Career Development

University of North Carolina at Wilmington; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University of North Carolina Wilmington is seeking an Assistant Director for Career Development to supervise Career Consultants and lead career readiness initiatives across liaison areas. You will collaborate with faculty, employers, and the Career Center Employer Relations Team to advance student engagement and career education.

You will directly support students and alumni with career planning, coordinate programs, and maintain regular updates to academic leadership.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required (Counseling, Higher Education Admin, Education, or related field).
• At least 1 year of directly related work experience in a college career center or similar.
• Preferred certifications: NCC, GCDF, NACE Career Coaching Intensive.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Career Consultants and lead career readiness initiatives for liaison areas.
• Coordinate student engagement with faculty partnerships and employer inclusion in career readiness education.
• Serve as primary contact for Academic Affairs leadership within the liaison area and provide regular updates to leadership.
• Maintain student contact through career services for students and alumni; coordinate programs and resources.

Skills

Presentation skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Counseling

Tools

Assessment instruments

Electronic career systems

Job description

Assistant Director for Career Development

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

PLEASE NOTE: This posting will close at 11:59PM (Eastern time) on the posted closing date. To receive full consideration, please be sure you have fully completed the entire application, including the ‘Work History’ section before you apply for this position. Applications must be submitted through the online application system to be considered.

This position is designated as Exempt from the Human Resources Act ( EHRA ).

Benefits of Working at UNCW

At the University of North Carolina Wilmington, we are driven by a clear purpose: to empower student success, advance innovation, and strengthen the communities we serve. Guided by our strategic vision and commitment to excellence, UNCW offers a dynamic and collaborative environment where employees can make meaningful contributions while growing their careers.
Located in coastal North Carolina, UNCW combines the energy of a thriving academic community with the natural beauty of nearby beaches and outdoor spaces. Here, professional opportunity is balanced with an exceptional quality of life—creating a workplace where you can thrive both personally and professionally.
As a member of the Seahawk community, you’ll benefit from a culture that values well-being, lifelong learning, and connection. UNCW offers a competitive and flexible benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and professional growth. From comprehensive health coverage and retirement options to generous paid leave, tuition opportunities within the UNC System, learning and development opportunities, and wellness programs, UNCW is committed to helping you thrive both at work and in your personal life.

Hiring Range

Hiring Range Determined based on qualifications and/or experience.

Working Title

Working Title Assistant Director for Career Development

The Assistant Director is responsible for providing supervision of Career Consultants and leadership for the career readiness efforts within a particular liaison responsibility. This includes developing, implementing, and updating career readiness initiatives for the entire population of the liaison areas and specifically the strategy surrounding student engagement, faculty partnerships, and employer inclusion in career readiness education through structured collaboration with the Career Center Employer Relations Team. The Assistant Director will directly supervise the Career Consultant associated with their liaison population. The Assistant Director will be responsible for serving as the primary contact for Academic Affairs leadership within the liaison area including regular updates to the Dean, Associate Deans, Department Chairs, and other invested UNCW constituents within their liaison area. In addition to these leadership responsibilities, the Assistant Director will maintain student contact through providing student career services to students and alumni, coordinate career planning programs and resources, and assist students and alumni with all stages of the career development process.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Higher Education Administration, Education, College Student Personnel or related field. Must have received degree prior to start date.
• At least 1 one year of directly related work experience. Related experience includes positions in a college career center, college counseling center, or a closely related function.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Certification or credentials: NCC , GCDF , NACE Career Coaching Intensive
• Previous experience directly supervising at least 1 undergraduate, graduate, or full-time staff member
• Three years of directly related work experience.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize assessment instruments and electronic career and employment systems.
• Ability to effectively provide career readiness education and engagement to college students in all academic areas.
• Demonstrated experience working in a collaborative team environment both internally within a department, and externally with other campus departments within student and academic affairs.
• Ability to work independently and creatively develop programs, solve problems, resolve differences, and contribute effectively to the Career Center team.
• Excellent presentation, communication and organizational skills.
• Understanding of career development theory.

Required Certifications or Licensures

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The mission of the UNCW Career Center is to be a comprehensive career counseling and resource center dedicated to empowering students and alumni as active participants in their own career development. Through the journey of learning, career exploration, and applied learning opportunities students are motivated to expand their knowledge of themselves and the world of work in a dynamic global community.

University Information

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state’s coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research, and service. UNCW is distinguished by its commitment to putting students first, supporting world‑class faculty and staff, delivering transformative learning experiences, and leveraging its unique proximity to the ocean. Recognized nationally for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking and reflects emerging industries and interdisciplinary innovation.
A public institution with nearly 20,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate‑and graduate‑level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN‑to‑ BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation’s first bachelor’s degree program focused on coastal engineering.
UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

EEO Statement

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents – except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.

Eligibility for Employment

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Months Per Year

Months Per Year 12 Months

FTE 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week)

Type of Position Permanent

Job Posting Date 10/19/2026

Posting Close Date 11/10/2026