Associate Director, Career Center

RISD - Rhode Island School of Design; Providence (RI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Rhode Island School of Design seeks an Associate Director for its Career Center to expand employer partnerships, enhance student career readiness, and provide advisement to students and alumni. The role leads employer engagement, signature programs, and events, while collaborating across campus to support career outcomes.

The position oversees the ArtWorks system and oversees a team of four staff, with data-driven program assessment and external partnerships driving program growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in counseling, higher education, or related field is required.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• 7–10 years in career development, placement, and/or counseling; 3–5 years in supervisory/management roles.
• Experience working in an arts and design school is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead employer engagement and recruiting initiatives.
• Oversee Signature Programs & Events: Internship Connect, Design Portfolio Review, Fine Arts Portfolio Review.
• Provide individual and group career advisement and develop presentations.
• Collaborate across campus to support student success.
• Manage ArtWorks job board and internship processing.
• Supervise a team of four Career Center staff.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Employer engagement

Data reporting

Presentations

Public speaking

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office

Excel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

12Twenty

Handshake

Google Docs

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The Associate Director, Career Center applies strategic leadership and creative thinking to expand and manage employer partnerships, strengthen student career readiness, and create meaningful professional opportunities for students and alumni. Leads employer engagement and recruiting initiatives, oversees signature career programs and events, provides career advisement, develops presentations and workshops, and collaborates across campus to support student success that results in fulfilling professional experiences and careers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/DUTIES

Employer & Industry Engagement

Develop and implement strategic recruiting initiatives that foster and sustain partnerships with employers, organizations, and industry leaders in support of RISD talent. Build and maintain relationships with companies across creative sectors and others to expand internship, employment, and networking opportunities for students and alumni. Research industry trends, identify emerging growth areas, and cultivate new employer contacts and partnerships. Collaborate with career center colleagues on coordinated employer outreach strategies to increase participation in career center programs and events. Organize and facilitate employer engagement opportunities including information sessions, design talks, alumni and industry panels, recruiting interviews, and curated portfolio reviews.

Signature Programs & Events

Lead and oversee major Career Center recruiting and engagement events, including: Internship Connect (Fall Internship Fair), Design Portfolio Review, Fine Arts Portfolio Review. Manage all aspects of event planning and execution, including employer recruitment, logistics, communications, and student preparation for attending. Manage assessment of these programs through surveying and produce data reports on participation from students, alumni, and employers. Periodically, collaborate with Alumni and Family Relations to plan and deliver programming and resources that support our students and alumni such as the Trek program composed of site visits, career panels, and portfolio reviews.

Student Career Readiness Programs

Design and deliver innovative career readiness programming through workshops, webinars, seminars, classroom presentations, and other in-person and virtual formats. Partner with faculty and academic departments to create discipline-specific career development programming tailored to student needs, interests, and industry trends. Support students in developing professional competencies, industry knowledge, and career readiness skills aligned with evolving creative markets.

Assessment & Operations

Develop systems and processes to evaluate student engagement and outcomes related to major career events, programs, internships, and employment opportunities. Analyze and regularly report program data and outcomes to the Career Center Director and other constituencies at the college. Work with the Career Center Director to develop strategic planning initiatives that engage our students in the development of their career readiness.

ArtWorks (Job Board) Management & Oversight

Manage the job board and internship processing components of ArtWorks (12Twenty Career Management Database System) where all full-time, part-time, freelance opportunities are posted by employers and arts organizations including grant and residency opportunities. Working with our Operations Coordinator to assure timely approval and posting of opportunities along with outreach to companies and organizations to resolve issues. Working with our Internship Manager to assure the processing of all internships, troubleshoot and resolve issues, coordinate outreach to faculty and administrative staff in support of internship registration, research and analyze internship data, and produce reports and internship outcomes.

Career Advisement

Provide individual and group career advising for students and alumni. Employ sensitivity and understanding to a diverse population of RISD students and alumni through an inclusive and caring environment. Offer guidance, support, and resources in consideration of the unique and varied career paths of artists and designers. Research and identify fields, markets, grants, fellowships, residencies, and opportunities related to all disciplines at RISD as well as areas encompassing the environment, social justice, community, sustainability, science, technology, government, non-profits, and medical, among others. Review and edit career materials including resumes, cover letters, portfolios and grant proposals. Provide guidance to students applying to various RISD Managed Awards and other grant and fellowship opportunities which may include Fulbright and Maharam Fellowships. Work with students and alumni to develop and implement strategies to help them achieve success in their career pursuits and prepare them for a diverse world and broad range of professional environments. Educate students about networks of alumni and professionals so they will feel confident in developing and utilizing these networks to enhance their professional opportunities beyond RISD.

Leadership & Collaboration

Supervise and mentor a team of four Career Center staff members, including the Internship Manager, two Career Advisors, and the Operations Coordinator. Conduct regular supervisory meetings, provide coaching and professional development support, and foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture. Serve on institutional committees, including search committees, grant selection committees, and other cross-campus initiatives as needed.

Additional Duties

Performs all other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A Bachelor’s degree in counseling, higher education/college personnel, or related area is required. Experience working in an arts and design school and a Master’s degree are preferred. Seven (7) to ten (10) years of experience in career development, placement, and/or counseling and three (3) to five (5) years of supervisory/management experience are required. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted for the minimum educational requirement.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

A demonstrated record of accomplishment and experience managing projects or individuals to successful outcomes. Demonstrated ability to implement survey and assessment processes; evaluate data; and present outcomes and reports. Prior experience with 12Twenty or Handshake or comparable career data management systems, Adobe and Microsoft Suites, Excel, Google documents. Demonstrated dexterity with social media tools and the ability to use technology effectively as an outreach and teaching medium. Candidate must have demonstrated ability in creating presentations, trainings, workshops, and other programs and materials. Knowledge of art and design fields, markets, and professional applications is preferred. Demonstrated experience in assessing student and alumni needs and effectively interacting with students and alumni from diverse backgrounds and academic interests. Knowledge of advising techniques and theory and understanding of current trends in career development and higher education: including an understanding of career assessment, job seeking skills, drafting cover letters and resumes, and interviewing techniques. Strong and effective communication skills in providing information about jobs, internships, opportunities, networks and professional resources. Ability to work independently and with a team of colleagues. Commitment to supporting an inclusive work environment and the ability to work respectfully and effectively across differences in background, role, and perspective.

Employment Details

Full-time, Regular, Exempt GRADE: 550EX

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

RISD recognizes inclusion and belonging as fundamental to its learning and working community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to this community and to our commitment to excellence.

RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic established by law.

About RISD

Rhode Island School of Design is a nonprofit college and museum founded in 1877 in Providence, RI — one of the first art and design schools in the US. Our students engage in rigorous, studio-based learning and liberal arts studies. By cultivating expansive and elastic thinking, RISD equips artists, designers and scholars to generate and challenge the ideas that shape our world. Find out much more about RISD at risd.edu/about.