Director, Student Career Center (on-site)

University of California Merced; California; On-site; USD 101,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Merced is seeking a Director of the Student Career Center to provide visionary leadership for a comprehensive career services operation. You will guide career readiness, experiential learning, and post-graduate outcomes, collaborating with leadership to implement strategic initiatives.

You will lead a team of career professionals, cultivate employer partnerships, and champion data-informed program development that reflects UC Merced’s diverse student population.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field from an accredited institution; and/or
• Master’s degree in a related field from an accredited institution (preferred); and
• 5 years of progressively responsible experience in career services, employer relations, or human resources; or equivalent combination; and
• Minimum 3 years in a supervisory role within career services or a related function; and
• Driver's License Required Under SB1100 (required)
• Demonstrated success in employer relations, business development, or talent acquisition partnerships
• Knowledge of career services, employer, alumni, and faculty needs and expectations, recruiting and staffing methods, and employment trends.
• Strong knowledge of career development theories, adult development theory, career decision making, and job search techniques.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills; comfort presenting to executive audiences
• Familiarity with strategic enrollment & student retention management and its relationship to career outcomes
• Demonstrated ability to interpret labor market data, outcomes metrics, and program KPIs using tools like LinkedIn Insights, NACE data, or Tableau. Proficiency with career management platforms and student information systems.
• Experience integrating AI-powered career tools into service delivery
• Experience with fundraising, grant writing, corporate sponsorship development, or alternative revenue experience (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Employer Development & Relations: Leads the development and execution of strategies that advance the University's priorities related to employer engagement and student post-graduate success.
• Provides leadership for the design, implementation, and assessment of programs that support student career exploration and industry alignment.
• Drives a comprehensive approach to employer, alumni, parent, and community engagement to expand access to internships, jobs, and experiential learning opportunities at regional, national, and international levels across diverse industries.
• Partners with alumni and employers to strengthen student professional development and career outcomes, while proactively building corporate relationships to enhance the University's brand and expand placement opportunities for students and graduates.
• Regularly travels to build and sustain strategic partnerships with employers, increasing visibility and access to opportunities that support student and alumni placement outcomes.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Strategic leadership

Employer relations

Data-informed decision making

Public speaking

AI-enabled career tools

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Tableau

LinkedIn Insights

NACE data

Job description

Hiring Range

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The salary range the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $100,800 - $126,000).

Job Closing Date

This position must be available to travel for employer development, alumni engagement, and industry meetings and conferences.

This position has an on-campus work modality unless away for business purposes.

This position must be available for events on weekends and/or evenings.

Posting will close upon selection.

About UC Merced

With approximately 9,100 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced is a smaller, more intimate campus compared to its sister campuses, while equipped and staffed as a cutting edge, 21st century research institution. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships and a growing community in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked in the top 30 among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and #1 for social mobility by the Wall Street Journal, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide world class educational opportunities to dynamic and enterprising students in the Valley and throughout the state.

In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced has launched a rigorous medical education program that will supply the Valley with culturally competent providers dedicated to improving local access to quality care.

The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and is accelerating the continued economic development of the region.

About The Job

The Director of the Student Career Center provides visionary and strategic leadership for a comprehensive career services operation at UC Merced. This role is central to advancing student career readiness, experiential learning, and post-graduate success outcomes in alignment with the University's strategic goals. The Director leads a team of career professionals, cultivates employer and community partnerships, and champions data-informed program development that reflects the student population UC Merced serves.

The Director serves on the center's leadership team, collaborating with the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Associate/Assistant Directors, career specialists, faculty, alumni, and external stakeholders to develop and execute strategic initiatives. This role requires a forward-thinking leader who embraces innovation in career services delivery, including digital platforms, artificial intelligence tools, and virtual engagement while maintaining a deeply human-centered approach to student career development. This position reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Strategic Planning and Operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Employer Development & Relations: Leads the development and execution of strategies that advance the University's priorities related to employer engagement and student post-graduate success. Provides leadership for the design, implementation, and assessment of programs that support student career exploration and industry alignment. Drives a comprehensive approach to employer, alumni, parent, and community engagement to expand access to internships, jobs, and experiential learning opportunities at regional, national, and international levels across diverse industries. Partners with alumni and employers to strengthen student professional development and career outcomes, while proactively building corporate relationships to enhance the University's brand and expand placement opportunities for students and graduates. Regularly travels to build and sustain strategic partnerships with employers, increasing visibility and access to opportunities that support student and alumni placement outcomes.
• Strategic Leadership & Program Development: Leads the development and execution of a multi-year strategic plan for the Student Career Center, aligned with institutional and divisional priorities for career readiness and post-graduate outcomes. Partners closely with academic leadership, faculty, alumni, the Graduate Division, and advisory boards to advance integrated career pathways. Develops and scales co-curricular career initiatives in collaboration with Academic Affairs and student organizations. Champions the use of AI-enabled career tools, virtual engagement platforms, and digital resources to enhance student access and outcomes. Provides leadership in setting performance goals and fosters a culture of continuous improvement, while supporting staff and student professional development and growth.
• Budget & Operations Management: Provides strategic oversight of the center's budget, ensuring responsible management of career-readiness programming, technology investments, and operational expenses. Identifies and pursues external funding opportunities, including grants, corporate sponsorships, and alternative revenue streams to advance center priorities. Ensures full compliance with university policies, employment law, and NACE ethical standards and recruiting guidelines.
• Assessment, Data & Reporting: Leads the center's assessment strategy, including first-destination survey implementation, employer engagement metrics, and program effectiveness evaluation. Leverages data to inform continuous improvement and communicate impact to university leadership and key stakeholders. Prepares and presents reports on career outcomes, placement rates, and employer engagement trends. Oversees the management and optimization of career management systems to support data integrity, reporting, and user experience. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field from an accredited institution; and/or
• Master’s degree in a related field from an accredited institution (preferred); and
• 5 years of progressively responsible experience in career services, employer relations, or human resources; or equivalent combination; and
• Minimum 3 years in a supervisory role within career services or a related function; and
• Driver's License Required Under SB1100 (required)
• Demonstrated success in employer relations, business development, or talent acquisition partnerships
• Knowledge of career services, employer, alumni, and faculty needs and expectations, recruiting and staffing methods, and employment trends.
• Strong knowledge of career development theories, adult development theory, career decision making, and job search techniques.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills; comfort presenting to executive audiences
• Familiarity with strategic enrollment & student retention management and its relationship to career outcomes
• Demonstrated ability to interpret labor market data, outcomes metrics, and program KPIs using tools like LinkedIn Insights, NACE data, or Tableau. Proficiency with career management platforms and student information systems.
• Experience integrating AI-powered career tools (e. g., resume AI, job matching platforms, virtual mock interview tools) into service delivery.
• Experience serving or advocating for first‑generation, underrepresented, or underserved student populations (preferred).
• Experience with fundraising, grant writing, corporate sponsorship development, or alternative revenue experience (preferred).

Background Check

Background check required.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

Smoke And Tobacco Free Policy

The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify

All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.