Associate Director -External Partnerships & Lead Personal and Professional Development Coach (CPPD)

Wittenberg-University; Springfield (OH); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Wittenberg University seeks an Associate Director of External Partnerships & Lead Personal and Professional Development Coach to advance external collaborations while delivering coaching to students. The role bridges internal coaching teams with external stakeholders to align programs and opportunities.

In this position, you will cultivate partnerships with employers and graduate programs, lead coaching sessions, and guide students in vocation, goal setting, and career navigation, contributing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in counseling, business or related field.
• 3–5 years in career advising, career counseling, life coaching, leadership coaching, mentoring or related field.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Must demonstrate initiative and relationship-building skills.
• Strong written, public speaking, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to travel locally and regionally as needed.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with external organizations, employers, and graduate school admissions teams.
• Negotiate and manage partnerships, contracts, and collaboration frameworks.
• Represent the Center in meetings, events, and outreach initiatives.
• Leverage partnerships to expand resources and opportunities for students.
• Track and report the impact of external partnerships.
• Coach students through 1:1 sessions and group workshops; guide career development.

Skills

Coaching

Relationship Building

Public Speaking

Career Advising

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in counseling, business or related field

Master's degree (preferred) in counseling, business or related area

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Associate Director -External Partnerships & Lead Personal and Professional Development Coach (CPPD)

Department: Center for Personal and Professional Development

Division: Student Development

Reports to: Vice President and Dean of Student Engagement

Direct Reports:

Employment Type: Full Time

New/Existing: Existing

Position Summary

The Associate Director of External Partnerships & Lead Personal and Professional Development Coach combines leadership in external partnerships with hands-on coaching responsibilities to support the personal and professional growth of students. The Associate Director will use insights from student coaching to inform partnership development (e.g., aligning the right partners with student needs), bring partnership opportunities into coaching practice (e.g., connecting clients with external resources or networks), and will serve as a bridge between internal coaching teams and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment between programs and external collaborations.
The Wittenberg Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) is designed to help students grow both personally and professionally. "Rooted and Open" calls ELCA universities, rooted in Lutheran theology, to help students explore larger questions about their purpose and calling in life. The center offers structured and informal opportunities for self-reflection, discernment, conversations about vocation and calling, goal setting, and skill-building. This will include individual and group coaching sessions, workshops, guest speakers, identity-building activities, and professional experiential learning opportunities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

External Partnerships

Responsible for building and maintaining relationships with external organizations, employers, graduate school admissions teams, and stakeholders including, but not limited to:

• Identifying and securing partnerships that align with the Center’s mission and goals.
• Negotiating and managing agreements, contracts, and collaboration frameworks.
• Representing the Center in meetings, events, and outreach programs.
• Leveraging partnerships to expand resources, programs, and opportunities for students.
• Tracking and reporting on the impact of these partnerships.

Personal & Professional Development

Guiding students toward self-awareness, self-discovery, self-improvement, and exposure to opportunities aiding in the discernment of calling and vocation. Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting 1:1 coaching sessions to help students identify strengths, set goals, and develop action plans.
• Facilitating group workshops, seminars, and leadership programs to build skills in communication, collaboration, self-reflection, and career navigation.
• Monitoring individual student progress, providing feedback, and adjusting strategies to meet evolving needs.
• Acting as a mentor and accountability partner, encouraging students to step outside their comfort zones and take actionable steps toward interests, goals, and plans.
• Maintaining confidentiality and professionalism in all coaching interactions.
• Demonstrate support for community and belonging, as well as participate in maintaining a respectful, positive work environment (required)*
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned, such as special projects, programs, and developmental activities (required)*

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in counseling, business or related area of study.
• Experience: 3-5 years of relevant work experience in career advising, career counseling, life coaching, leadership coaching, mentoring or related field
• Technical Skills: Microsoft Office
• Must be able to demonstrate the ability to take initiative.
• Demonstrated experience building relationships with key constituents.
• Demonstrated success on a team.
• Strong written, public speaking, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to give polished and professional presentations.
• Demonstrated success delivering personal and professional development advice.
• Experience advising on resumes, interviewing and job search strategies.
• Ability to have a positive outlook and see the best in others.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of unique challenges to achieving post-graduate success after a liberal arts education.
• Ability to work nights and weekends as necessary.
• Ability to travel locally and regionally on a regular basis to meet constituents.
• Must be able to successfully pass all background checks as applicable to the position

University Driver Responsibilities: YES NO

Positions with driving responsibilities for the university must be able to successfully pass a Motor Vehicle Records check and possess a valid Driver's License.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master's degree in counseling, business or related area of study.
• Experience with or trained in self-assessment tools such as MBTI, StrengthsFinder, and DiSC.
• Experience leading peers on programs and/or initiatives.
• Demonstrated understanding and experience with the Lutheran concept of vocation.
• Experience working at a small, liberal arts higher education institution.
• Experience with career services platforms such as Handshake.

Core Competencies

Universal Competency

Modeling the Wittenberg Way

Analytical/Critical Thinking

Communication

Developing and Leading Others

Other Working Conditions & Physical Requirements or Distinguishing Details

• Some travel.
• Belief in the fundamental value of a residential, liberal arts education and its application to life after college.
• Lifting supplies up to 50lbs.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Wittenberg University provides an equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law. The University strictly prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other legally protected characteristic. This commitment includes compliance with Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs and activities.
Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and institutional needs. The University is dedicated to maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and equitable work environment.