Lead Career Strategy Specialist

Ohio State University; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business, seeks a Lead Career Strategy Specialist to steer MBA and WPMBA career management services from orientation through post-graduate outcomes. You will monitor labor market shifts, lead flagship programs like Career Pathways and Employer Panels, and work with partners across the university to expand recruiting pipelines and measure employment outcomes.

This role requires a strategic, collaborative leader with strong coaching skills and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Higher Education, or related field.
• 6 years’ experience in career advising, student development, or related area.
• Outstanding communication skills with individuals and large groups.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and duties simultaneously.
• Familiarity with career development theory and online education platforms.
• Knowledge of online education platforms; proficiency with Canvas/Handshake/Zoom/MS Teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the MBA Career Coaching team and set performance expectations.
• Develop and oversee MBA career management programs and employer engagement strategies.
• Monitor labor market shifts and translate insights into updated programming and coaching frameworks.
• Collaborate with college and university partners to align goals and support employer and alumni engagement.
• Provide high-impact, individualized coaching to MBA and WPMBA students through internships, recruiting, and leadership positioning.

Skills

Communication

Relationship building

Coaching

Team leadership

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Higher Education experience

Master’s degree

Tools

Canvas

Handshake

Zoom

MS Teams

Job description

## Lead Career Strategy SpecialistApplylocations: Columbus Campustime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todayjob requisition id: R151542Screen reader users may encounter difficulty with this site. For assistance with applying, please contact [e-mail]. If you have questions while submitting an application, please review these frequently asked questions.**Current Employees and Students:**If you are currently employed or enrolled as a student at The Ohio State University, please log in to Workday to use the internal application process.Welcome to The Ohio State University's career site. We invite you to apply to positions of interest. In order to ensure your application is complete, you must complete the following:* Ensure you have all necessary documents available when starting the application process. You can review the additional job description section on postings for documents that may be required.* Prior to submitting your application, please review and update (if necessary) the information in your candidate profile as it will transfer to your application.## Job Title:Lead Career Strategy Specialist## Department:Fisher College | Career ServicesAs part of the Office of Career Management, the MBA Lead Career Strategy Specialist in coordination with the Senior Director serves as the strategic lead and architect for MBA and WPMBA career management services, overseeing the entire student lifecycle from orientation through post-graduate outcomes while ensuring program quality, success, and continuous improvement.Central to the position is proactively monitoring shifts in the labor market such as AI-assisted screening, industry trends, and employer expectations, and translating those insights into updated programming, coaching frameworks, and employer engagement strategies; leads Fisher’s signature programs such as Career Pathways, Career Treks, Industry Immersion, and Employer Panels that deepen students’ sector-specific knowledge and create a competitive advantage in the MBA hiring market, while also introducing new processes, metrics, and models that elevate the institution’s overall career programming; working cross functionally with college and university partners such as MBA Student Relations to align with the goals and expectations of the institution and supports employer and alumni engagement by cultivating strategic relationships, proactively expanding recruiting pipelines, facilitating mentorship opportunities, and ensuring accurate tracking and reporting of employment outcomes to support benchmarking, accreditation, and long-term strategic planning.The position provides high-impact, individualized and cohort-based coaching to MBA and WPMBA students, guiding them through the complexities of internships and MBA recruiting cycles, career pivots, and leadership positioning through nuanced conversations around executive presence, crafting a compelling career narrative, navigating experienced-hire expectations, and negotiating compensation. The MBA Lead Career Strategy Specialist incorporates evidence-based assessments, individual development planning, and structured reflection to help students align their strengths, values, and goals with realistic market opportunities, while proactively anticipating challenges such as economic fluctuations, recruiting volatility, and the added complexity of non-traditional or transitioning career paths.The role also includes leading the MBA Career Coaching team, setting clear performance expectations, delivering ongoing feedback, supporting professional development and ensuring staff remain current on business trends, employer needs, and modern coaching methodologies. It requires modeling proactive leadership, fostering innovation, and guiding the team through complex student scenarios, including international recruiting strategies and significant career pivots.**Required Qualifications**Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Higher Education, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; 6 years’ experience in career advising, student development, or a related area; Outstanding communication skills with individuals and large groups; Ability to manage multiple projects and duties simultaneously; Excellent organizational skills; Strong ability to connect with people and build relationships; Knowledge of online education platforms; Proficiency with technology tools including Canvas (or similar), Handshake (or similar), Zoom, and Microsoft Teams; Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment; Familiarity with career development theory; Understanding of the graduate career management industry**Desired Qualifications**Master’s degree and 8-12 years of experience in a higher education setting, or equivalent combination of education and professional experience; Experience in corporate learning and development, talent acquisition, or human resources; Experience working with graduate students; Experience working with employers seeking MBA talent## Additional Information:The actual salary paid to an individual will vary based on multiple factors, including but not limit to, education, years of experience, internal equity, etc.## Location:Gerlach Hall (0250)## Position Type:Regular## Scheduled Hours:40## **Shift:**First Shift***Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.***