Executive Director, Academic & Career Coaching

The Art Institute of Chicago; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Art Institute of Chicago is seeking an Associate Dean, Director of Academic and Career Coaching to provide strategic leadership for academic and career coaching for second through fourth+ year students and alumni. You will oversee staff, programs, and policies, collaborate with key departments, and use data-informed approaches to strengthen student success and post-graduate outcomes.

This full-time hybrid role based in Chicago emphasizes equity, inclusive advising, and collaboration across

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in student affairs, counseling, or related field; Masters preferred.
• Minimum of 7–10 years in higher education or student affairs with emphasis on academic and career advising or coaching.
• Experience with student retention strategies, program assessment, and policy development preferred.
• Supervisory and leadership experience required; ability to supervise, mentor, and develop staff.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and strategic direction for academic and career coaching for second- through fourth+ year students and alumni.
• Oversees hiring, training, supervision, and evaluation of coaching staff.
• Develops and assesses departmental policies, procedures, and initiatives.
• Collaborates with other deans to ensure alignment across the student lifecycle.
• Leads initiatives to improve retention and six-year graduation rates; supports at‑risk students.
• Oversees the budget and resource allocation for academic and career coaching.
• Partners to enhance academic and career programming and resources.
• Uses data, assessment, and reporting tools to evaluate effectiveness and inform planning.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Staff supervision

Data-informed decision making

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Student information systems

Advising technologies

Job description

The Art Institute of Chicago is seeking an Associate Dean, Director of Academic and Career Coaching to provide strategic leadership for academic and career coaching for second through fourth+ year students and alumni. You will oversee staff, programs, and policies, collaborate with key departments, and use data-informed approaches to strengthen student success and post-graduate outcomes.

This full-time hybrid role based in Chicago emphasizes equity, inclusive advising, and collaboration across