ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR / CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant (MI)

On-site

USD 55,000 - 65,000

Full time

20 hours ago

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Job summary

Central Michigan University is seeking an Associate Director of Career Development to lead the Career Development Center’s staff and programs. You will shape a university-wide career development model, supervise multiple directors, and collaborate with faculty, alumni, and students to advance career readiness.

Responsibilities include planning, research, program development, and supervision, with a focus on delivering coaching and services to enrolled students and alumni across campus.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or equivalent with emphasis in career development, career counseling, higher education, psychology or related fields.
Five years of related professional experience.
Demonstrated success in relationship building with staff, faculty, students, parents and colleagues.
Proven leadership and supervisory skills in a professional environment.
Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with a wide range of internal and external constituents, including faculty, staff, students and alumni.
Demonstrated skills in a focused educational and service approach to productive career development, including the ability to provide career coaching and programming to currently enrolled students and alumni, individually and in groups.
Knowledge of career theory and practice including career exploration and assessment, NACE Career Readiness competences, informational interviewing, applied learning/internships, resume and cover letter writing, job interviewing, job search strategies, and preparing for graduate or professional school.
Ability to infuse skill/competency development in programs and services to increase the career readiness of our students and alumni.
Strong collaboration/team, organizational, program development, interpersonal and presentation skills.
Ability to maintain the highest level of professionalism, and provide exceptional customer service.
Innovative thinking and analytical abilities to assess, organize, and prioritize multiple tasks with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

Develops goals and objectives for CDC staff and programs, along with the Director.
Responsible for research, development, direction and implementation of a university wide career development model.
Provides planning for career development, including internal and external initiatives and programs. Direction will be based on career development research, economic and workforce conditions, current trends and issues in today’s and tomorrow’s work world, and benchmarking our programs and services with key educational institutions.
Aids students on-campus, online and alumni in the form of student appointments, presentations, workshops and various other ways.
Manages multifaceted relationships with staff, faculty, alumni, students and colleges. Represents the CDC on University committees and special projects.
Serves as an active member of Career Development Center leadership team.
Provides supervision for Three (4) Assistant Directors of Career Development.
Responsible for monitoring key metrics for Assistant Directors of Career Development.
In the absence of the Director, serves as the point person with the Associate Director of Employer Relations for overall Career Services matters.
Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Relationship building

Leadership

Career development

Communication

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in career development or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

12twenty

Microsoft Office

Graphic design tools

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering an environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We are especially interested in highly qualified candidates who will advance and promote CMU’s mission, vision, and leadership standards. You must submit an on-line application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position. Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee. This position will remain open until filled. The university reserves the right to close the recruitment process once a sufficient applicant pool has been identified. For best consideration, please submit application materials by November 19, 2026.

Position Information

Posting Number

Posting Number S-4022

Position Number

Position Number 33000

Type of Recruitment

Type of Recruitment External

Position Title

Position Title ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR / CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Position Summary

Along with Director, develops goals and objectives for Career Development Center ( CDC ) staff and programs. Responsible for research, development, direction and implementation of a university wide career development model. Provides planning for career development, including internal and external initiatives and programs. Manages multifaceted relationships with staff, faculty, alumni, students and colleges. Provides supervision of three (4) Assistant Directors of Career Development and in the absence of the Director, serves as the point person for overall Career Services matters with the Associate Director of Employer Relations.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or equivalent with emphasis in career development, career counseling, higher education, psychology or related fields.
Five years of related professional experience.
Demonstrated success in relationship building with staff, faculty, students, parents and colleagues.
Proven leadership and supervisory skills in a professional environment.
Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with a wide range of internal and external constituents, including faculty, staff, students and alumni.
Demonstrated skills in a focused educational and service approach to productive career development, including the ability to provide career coaching and programming to currently enrolled students and alumni, individually and in groups.
Knowledge of career theory and practice including career exploration and assessment, National Association for Career Education ( NACE ) Career Readiness competences, informational interviewing, applied learning/internships, resume and cover letter writing, job interviewing, job search strategies, and preparing for graduate or professional school.
Ability to infuse skill/competency development in programs and services to increase the career readiness of our students and alumni.
Strong collaboration/team, organizational, program development, interpersonal and presentation skills.
Ability to maintain the highest level of professionalism, and provide exceptional customer service.
Innovative thinking and analytical abilities to assess, organize, and prioritize multiple tasks with attention to detail.
In-depth understanding and application of best practices in collegiate career development, workplace trends, impacts of technology and social media.
Strong technical skills including experience with career management systems such as 12twenty, as well as Microsoft Office suite, graphic design programs, internet research, and career interest assessments.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentation skills appropriate for small and large audiences, including one-on-one career coaching, student classrooms, faculty groups, professional associations, community organizations and the general public. Skills in strategic planning and data analysis, supporting an ability to make complex, independent decisions and programmatic recommendations.
Ability to leverage career data to support messages to external and on-campus constituents.
Capability to solicit and analyze student feedback and evaluations, and strategize with other Career Services staff members, student groups, and other campus staff and faculty to determine program offerings and innovations.
Ability to travel and work non-standard hours, including some nights and weekends.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s Degree
Certified in MBTI and SII Assessment
Ability to interpret Focus 2 assessment
Knowledge and understanding of the Brain-Based Career Development Model
Knowledge and understanding of the Career Ecosystem Model

Duties & Responsibilities

Develops goals and objectives for CDC staff and programs, along with the Director.
Responsible for research, development, direction and implementation of a university wide career development model.
Provides planning for career development, including internal and external initiatives and programs. Direction will be based on career development research, economic and workforce conditions, current trends and issues in today ’s and tomorrow’s work world, and benchmarking our programs and services with key educational institutions. Goals and initiatives will be aligned with overall department, division and campus strategic goals.
Aids students on-campus, online and alumni in the form of student appointments, presentations, workshops and various other ways.
Manages multifaceted relationships with staff, faculty, alumni, students and colleges. Represents the CDC on University committees and special projects.
Serves as an active member of Career Development Center leadership team.
Provides supervision for Three (4) Assistant Directors of Career Development.
Responsible for monitoring key metrics for Assistant Directors of Career Development.
In the absence of the Director, serves as the point person with the Associate Director of Employer Relations for overall Career Services matters.
Other duties as assigned.

Supervision Exercised

Supervisors are expected to support the Leadership Standards of Central Michigan University and foster a culture that inspires excellence. The Leadership Standards define how we lead and treat others on our team. As leaders, it is our responsibility to seek input from our teams to continuously improve our leadership abilities and our demonstration of the standards. Additionally, it is our responsibility to encourage and support the growth and development of those whom we lead. At CMU , we encourage employees to grow both personally and professionally, and thus advance CMU’s culture of excellence.

Message to Applicants

Employee Group

Employee Group Professional & Administrative -Salary

Pay Range

Pay Range $55,000 - $65,000

Division

Division Student Recruitment & Retention

Department

Position Status

Position Status Regular

Position End Date

Employment Status

Employment Status Full-Time

FTE

FTE 1.0

Position Type

Position Type 12 month

Weekly Work Schedule

Weekly Work Schedule Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. / weekends and evenings as needed

Location

Location Mount Pleasant, MI

About the Department

Central Michigan University has a more than 125-year legacy of preparing students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities and in their personal and professional lives. We serve nearly 15,500 students on our Mount Pleasant campus, in satellite locations around the state and throughout the country, and through flexible online programs. Many of our approximately 300 undergraduate, master’s, specialist and doctoral programs in the arts, media, business, education, human services, health professions, liberal arts, social sciences, medicine, science and engineering are nationally ranked for excellence. CMU leads the nation in leadership development programming through our Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute, and we are proud to be among only 5% of U.S. universities in the top two Carnegie research classifications. Our faculty work with graduate and undergraduate students in areas such as Great Lakes research, medical innovation, engineering technology and more. Central is home to 17 men’s and women’s Division 1 sports including football, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, wrestling and more. Our student-athletes achieve great success in competition and in the classroom, capturing Mid-American Conference championships and maintaining an average cumulative GPA of 3.17. CMU is located in Mount Pleasant, a community that blends the best of small-town living with big-city amenities. It’s part of the culturally varied and vibrant Great Lakes Bay Region that also includes Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and the state’s largest Native American community, centered on the Saginaw Chippewa Isabella Reservation in Mount Pleasant. Area residents enjoy the mix of outdoor activities, cultural events, shopping and dining options, and family attractions. Other major Michigan destinations and attractions — Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City, wineries, beaches, golf and ski resorts, and many more — are within easy reach of the city’s central location in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. CMU employees enjoy access to a nationally recognized wellness program along with health care and benefits that exceed regional, state and national norms.

Central Michigan University is a place where we value students and work for their success, where we act as family, and where employees are engaged, appreciated and have extraordinary opportunities to make a difference. We intentionally maintain and strengthen the hallmark CMU culture that sets us apart from our peers by expecting CMU leaders and employees to model the following Leadership Standards and develop them within their teams. Please review the Leadership Standards before applying for this position.

CMU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and institution. CMU does not discriminate against persons based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex-based stereotypes, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status, or weight.

CMU does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, including admission and employment, and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 not to discriminate in such a matter.

Inquiries about the application of Title IX can be made to CMU’s Title IX Coordinator, the US Department of Education’s Assistant Secretary, or both.

CMU’s Title IX Coordinator can be reached at: Phone: 989-774-3253 Office: 103 E. Preston St. Bovee University Center, suite 306 Mount Pleasant, MI 48858 Email: titleix@cmich.edu

Posting Ends

Open Until Filled Yes

Supplemental Questions

* How did you first learn of this job opportunity? Please list the specific advertising source or indicate if it was word of mouth. (Open Ended Question)
* Are you currently an internal employee of CMU according to the university's definition?
- Yes
- No
* If yes, to which employee group do you belong? (If not applicable, select "Not Applicable").
- Not Applicable
- Administrative Office Assistant
- Dispatcher
- Lieutenant
- Medical Faculty
- P&A, SO or Faculty
- Police
- Public Broadcasting
- Sergeant
- Service Maintenance
- Supervisory/Technical
* Do you have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or equivalent with an emphasis in career development, career counseling, higher education, psychology, or related fields?
- Yes
- No
* Do you have at least five years of related professional experience?
- Yes
- No
* Do you have supervisory experience?
- Yes
- No
* Supervisors are expected to support the Leadership Standards of Central Michigan University and foster a culture that inspires excellence. Please review the Leadership Standards before applying for this position and click "Yes" if you understand and support the culture that is important to CMU.
- Yes
- No