Director, Career Readiness Center

Drexel University; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 75,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in higher education seeks a dynamic Director for the Center for Career Readiness. This pivotal role involves leading a dedicated team to enhance career services, ensuring students are well-prepared for the evolving job market. The Director will foster relationships with employers and develop innovative programs that bridge academic learning with career application. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, this position offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact on students' professional journeys. Join a forward-thinking institution that values engagement and strives for excellence in career readiness.

Benefits

Generous Vacation and Paid Time Off

403(b) Retirement Plan Match

Remote and Flexible Work Options

Free Tuition for Employees and Dependents

Medical Plans with Fertility Assistance

Wellness Program

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in career/professional development.
• Strong knowledge of business career paths and current market trends.
• Ability to manage a diverse team and foster professional development.

Responsibilities

• Lead career services team and develop strategic vision for career readiness.
• Provide high-caliber career coaching and professional development services.
• Cultivate relationships with employers and industry leaders for opportunities.

Skills

Leadership Skills

Career Coaching

Relationship Building

Strategic Thinking

Project Management

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Career Management Tools

Job description

Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a world‐class, comprehensive, R1 research institution and a global leader in experiential education. For more than 100 years, our renowned Cooperative Education (co-op) program has enabled students to gain professional work experience before they graduate, setting them apart from their peers.

Committed to becoming the nation’s most civically engaged university, Drexel supports engagement along three dimensions: research and academic programs that directly benefit communities, business practices that support equitable local and regional economic development, and public service by students, faculty, and staff. Our engagement is long‐term, multigenerational, and fundamental to the University’s mission, heritage, and future.

At Drexel, we are devoted to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment that promotes healthy lifestyles and is based on integrity, trust, and respect. We center equity, inclusion and belonging, and incorporate an anti‐racism approach to our strategic plan, organizational systems, policies and structures.

Drexel offers its highly engaged faculty and professional staff a comprehensive and world‐class benefits package that includes generous vacation and paid time off as applicable (including civic engagement days), up to an 11% 403(b) Retirement Plan match with immediate vesting, and remote and flexible work options for many roles. Our exceptional medical plans include domestic partner and fertility assistance and our award‐winning A Healthier U wellness program. In addition, faculty and professionalstaff at Drexel enjoy free tuition for themselves and their dependents for Drexel degree programs, certification, and non‐certification programs. And as part of the tuition offering to employees, Drexel participates in a tuition exchange program for dependents with other higher education institutions. These are just a sample of our extensive benefit offerings. Please see this Benefits Brochure for more information.

Suspension of Drexel University's Contribution into 403(b) Retirement Plan

As communicated on Oct. 10, Drexel University is suspending its contributions to employee retirement plans for calendar year 2025 as part of its multi-year plan to build financial resilience. Drexel is continuing to monitor the situation and will share updates as they become available for calendar year 2026.

Director, Center for Career Readiness

Apply now Job no: 504931
Work type: Full-Time
Location: University City - Philadelphia, PA
Categories: Drexel University, LeBow College of Business

Job Summary

Reporting directly to the Vice Dean of LeBow College of Business, the Director of the LeBow Center for Career Readiness (CCR) provides strategic leadership and vision for all career services activities, ensuring alignment with the College’s mission to prepare students for dynamic, technology-driven business environments. The Director will oversee the integration of career services for undergraduate and graduate students, lead employer engagement efforts, and foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement in career readiness programs.

The Director plays a pivotal role in bridging academic learning and career application, cultivating relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and ensuring that CCR remains a leader in delivering transformative career support to LeBow students and alumni.

Essential Functions

• Leadership & Supervision
  • Lead career services team and provide vision and support.
  • Foster professional development and collaboration across staff members.
  • Recruit, hire and train staff as needed.
  • Develop and implement effective performance assessment of CCR team with objective measures to help motivate the team and reach beyond traditional responsibilities and processes to achieve department goals.
  • Develop and implement a strategic vision for the CCR that integrates career readiness components into academic programs and aligns with market trends.
  • Oversee the design and delivery of workshops, events, and resources that enhance student career readiness and align with employer expectations.
  • Embed innovative strategies to strengthen academic and professional linkages, such as extending the co-op/internship experience into the classroom.
  • Facilitate continuous improvement to evaluate more efficient ways of meeting student and stakeholder needs; recommend new initiatives and programming as needed.
• Career Coaching and Professional Development Services
  • Provide high-caliber career coaching and professional development services and programming to students and alumni on a regular basis.
  • Assist students and alumni with the development of career action plans and follow-up strategies.
  • Work with the academic director to update content for career management/professional development course and co-design, develop and implement workshop series and related programming (including in-person and virtual delivery).
  • Manage the GCS Mentor-in-Residence Program Partner with LeBow faculty to integrate career education topics in the classroom.
• Corporate Relationship Management/Outreach and Collaboration
  • Develop and oversee targeted outreach strategies for CCR to increase visibility and partnerships with high-impact organizations.
  • Benchmark with peers and employers to ensure employer relations best practices and resources.
  • Serve on relevant university and college committees and work collaboratively with institutional colleagues including Alumni Relations, Institutional Advancement, Office of Experiential Learning, Drexel Solutions Institute, Steinbright Career Development Center ,etc.
  • Co-plan and coordinate employer information sessions, networking events and industry panels.
  • Cultivate and maintain relationships with employers, alumni, and industry leaders to expand opportunities for internships, co-ops, and full-time opportunities.
  • Represent the CCRat key events, conferences, and speaking engagements to position LeBow College as a premier source for talent acquisition.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with the Marketing/Communications team to conceptualize dynamic marketing collateral that resonates with target employers for outreach initiatives.
  • Participate in shared programs and co-curricular activities with other offices/faculty within LeBow and Drexel.
  • Support and participate in GSS Enrollment Management and Student Success activities and programming.
• Data-Driven Decision-Making and Administration
  • Develop and manage systems for tracking student outcomes, analyzing trends, and using data to refine CCRinitiatives.
  • Ensure operational excellence, including budget management and compliance with institutional policies.
  • Ensure delivery of high-caliber career coaching and professional development services tailored to the needs of undergraduate and graduate students.
  • Oversee signature programs, such as mentoring initiatives, employer panels, and networking events, that enhance career exploration and preparedness.
  • Foster lifelong connections with alumni, offering resources and opportunities for engagement with the LeBow community.
  • Manage special projects and new initiatives as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of Bachelor's Degree in or the equivalent combination of education and work experience.
  • Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience (i.e., in career/professional development advising, recruitment and/or relationship development)
• High-level knowledge of business career paths and opportunities; knowledge of current issues and trends in the marketplace.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of career management tools and technologies.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to manage and bring out strengths of a diverse team.
• Strong at providing a developmental, goal-oriented career advising model.
• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Strategic thinker with ability to work independently in a fast- paced team environment.
• Strong customer/stakeholder focus with outstanding relationship building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with a wide variety of people including internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to use persuasive marketing and relationship building techniques.
• Excellent planning, project management and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work some evenings to support Department events.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficient with managing budgets.
• Experience working in career development within a higher education setting.

Location

• University City - Philadelphia, PA

Additional Information
This position is classified as Exempt, grade M. Compensation for this grade ranges from$75,200 -$112,790per year. Please note that the offered rate for thisposition typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on thesuccessful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.

Advertised: Apr 28 2025 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: May 28 2025 Eastern Daylight Time

Drexel University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that welcomes individuals from diverse and neurodiverse backgrounds and perspectives, and believes that an inclusive and respectful environment enriches the University community and the educational and employment experience of its members. The University prohibits discrimination against individuals on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, status as a veteran or special disabled veteran, gender identity or expression, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions and any other prohibited characteristic. Please visit our Policies page to view all University policies related to Human Resources and News and Announcements for workplace postings.

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