Associate Director, Career Design & Co-op Operations (Promotional Opportunity)

University of Massachusetts Lowell; Lowell (MA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Massachusetts Lowell's Career Services invites applications for an Associate Director who will oversee the cooperative education program operations and provide leadership for delivering effective and efficient program activities.

You will recruit students, run communications campaigns, guide co-op processes, collaborate with academic departments and employers, and develop dashboards to measure impact and inform decisions.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in relevant discipline.
• 8+ years of experience relevant to the role.
• Experience with cooperative education or internship programs in a university setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead program operations for the cooperative education program.
• Recruit students and run communication campaigns.
• Collaborate with academic departments to align opportunities with learning outcomes.
• Develop dashboards and assessment tools to measure program impact.
• Supervise staff and adjunct instructors.
• Represent the Career Center at campus events and employer meetings.

Skills

Graduate degree

Experience: 8+ years

Cooperative education

Education

Graduate degree in relevant discipline

Job description

Job no: 530400
Position type: Staff Full Time
Campus: UMass Lowell
Department: Career Services
Salary: See posting section for salary range details.
Applications Open: Oct 21 2026
Applications Close: Nov 03 2026

General Summary of Position:

This being a promotional opportunity, only current UML Employees with the same Bargaining unit are eligible to apply for this position.

The Associate Director is responsible for the program operations associated with the university's cooperative education program.

The Associate Director provides leadership for in delivering effective and efficient program operations, including recruitment of students, communication campaigns, and program impact.

Career Advising and Student/Alumni Coaching

• Provide individualized and group career advising supporting career exploration, decision-making, and professional development.
• Assist students with career planning, goal setting, and identifying career pathways aligned with their academic and personal interests.
• Review and provide feedback on resumes, cover letters, curricula vitae (CVs), LinkedIn profiles, portfolios, and graduate school application materials.
• Coach students on networking, interviewing, job, co-op and internship search strategies, salary negotiation, and workplace professionalism.
• Administer and interpret career assessments as appropriate.

Cooperative Education and Career-Connected Experiential Learning

• Advise students regarding cooperative education, internships, and other career-connected experiential learning opportunities.
• Guide students through the co-op search process, including eligibility requirements, employer outreach, application preparation, and interview readiness.
• Monitor student progress throughout co-op experiences and serve as a resource for students and employers.
• Collaborate with academic departments to align co-op opportunities with academic and programmatic learning outcomes.
• Maintain co-op records, employer evaluations, student learning assessments, and required documentation.
• Support the development, promotion, and assessment of cooperative education programs.

Program Operations and Administration

• Manage operational calendars, timelines, and key program milestones to ensure seamless execution of co-op cycles.
• Monitor program participation and operational performance metrics, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Manage processes related to student progress tracking, evaluations, and completion of co-op requirements.
• Generate and analyze reports related to participation, placement outcomes, student success metrics, and employer engagement.
• Develop dashboards and assessment tools to measure program effectiveness and support data-informed decision making.
• Prepare reports and presentations for institutional leadership, accreditation reviews, and strategic planning initiatives.
• Career Education, Programming and Courses.
• Design, coordinate, and facilitate workshops, classroom presentations, and career-related educational programs.
• Teach assigned courses offered through the department.
• Develop career resources and educational materials for in-person and virtual delivery.
• Participate in career fairs, networking events, employer information sessions, and industry-focused programming.

Staff Leadership and Management

• Supervise and develop professional and student staff responsible for career education and programming initiatives.
• Establish priorities, goals, and performance expectations aligned with departmental objectives.
• Promote a culture of innovation, collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Employer and Campus Engagement

• Collaborate with faculty, academic advisors, and student support offices to integrate career development into the student experience.
• Represent the Career Center at campus events, professional organizations, and community partnerships.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with employers to understand occupational and industry trends and to increase employment opportunities for students.
• Work with employer relations staff and academic partners to identify workforce trends and emerging employment opportunities.

Minimum Qualifications (Required):

• Graduate degree in relevant discipline
• 8+ years of experience relevant to the role
• Experience with cooperative education or internship programs in a university setting

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to supervise both staff and adjunct instructors.
• Demonstrated project management and detail-oriented skills.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

This being a promotional opportunity, only current UML Employees with the same Bargaining unit are eligible to apply for this position.

This is full-time, benefited and in the SEIU in grade P18. Anticipated salary based on qualifications/experience within the range: minimum: $72,170, 25th quartile: $82,093 and midpoint: 92,017.