Program Manager, Career & Transfer Services

Highline Community College; Des Moines (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Highline College is seeking a Program Manager for Career and Transfer Services to lead the development and implementation of services supporting student exploration, readiness, and transfer. You will supervise staff, manage partnerships with employers and universities, and coordinate events, workshops, and navigation resources.

The role emphasizes collaboration with administration, faculty, and external partners; responsibility for program software like Vita Navis and Handshake; and ongoing

Qualifications

• Three years of experience in advising, management, or related field; OR three years of experience with program development and management.
• Bachelor's Degree in Business or related field preferred.
• Experience in higher education or career/employment services preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a diverse student population.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Career and Transfer Services staff, onboarding, training, coaching, and evaluating performance.
• Maintain office staffing during service hours and manage vendor contracts/payments.
• Develop and deliver career and transfer programs, workshops, and events; lead campus-wide career fairs and related activities.
• Oversee marketing/communication for services and events; collaborate with departments to integrate services into curriculum.
• Provide and support professional development for staff and faculty; stay current with industry best practices.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Data analysis

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Diversity & inclusion

Public speaking

Technology literacy

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business or related field

Higher education or career services experience

Tools

Vita Navis

Handshake

Microsoft Office 365

Google Workspace

PeopleSoft

Databases

Job description

Posting will remain open until filled. Priority consideration for applications received by August 16, 2026.

Highline College is seeking a dedicated and dynamic Program Manager for Career and Transfer Services to join the Career and Transfer Services team. The Program Manager will play a pivotal role in developing and implementing Career and Transfer services and programming that support Highline College students with career and transfer exploration and readiness. This includes collaborating with administration, staff, and faculty to integrate services into the student experience; supervising staff in career and transfer; supporting career and transfer related events; managing technology that supports career and transfer services; serving as point of contact for career, internship, and transfer related inquiries from students, staff, and faculty; and serving as point of contact for career and transfer related inquiries for external partners such as employers and university representatives.

This position is a full-time, exempt salaried, overtime-eligible, at-will position.

Reporting to the Associate Dean of Advising, Career and Transfer Services, and Running Start this position will:

Management and Supervision (40%)

• Supervise Career and Transfer Services Program Specialist and Advising Program Assistant including onboarding, training, coaching, providing feedback, and evaluating performance;
• Ensure the Advising, Career and Transfer Services office is open and staffed during student service hours of operation;
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with employers, industry partners, university partners and alumni to create internship and navigation opportunities for students;
• Maintain vendor contracts, conduct renewals, and record payment invoices; Support on-campus student employment related processes and inquiries;
• Track and analyze data on student engagement, job placement, and career services outcomes;
• Use data to assess and improve career and transfer services;
• Maintain the advising, career and transfer services website and social media with current information; Manage and administer program software such as VitaNavisand Handshake.

Program Development (40%)

• Design and implement career and transfer services and programming that supports career exploration and development, resume writing, job search strategies, interview techniques, and navigating the transfer application process;
• Establish goals and outcomes for services and programming and assess the effectiveness of career and transfer services in collaboration with the Dean;
• Support the Career and Transfer Program Specialist with developing and delivering career and transfer related workshops on career exploration and development, resume writing, job search strategies, interview techniques, and navigating the transfer application process;
• Lead planning campuswide events related to career and transfer such as career fairs, transfer fairs, employer and alumni panels, and on-campus recruitment activities;
• Oversee marketing and communications of career and transfer services, events, and workshops;
• Collaborate with academic departments and faculty to integrate career and transfer services into curriculum;
• Provide and facilitate professional development opportunities for staff and faculty to learn about career and transfer services at Highline College as well as promising practices and updates related to career and transfer advising.

Direct Student Service and Support (10%)

• Support the Career and Transfer Program Specialist with delivery of career advising and coaching to students; assisting students with career exploration and development, resume writing, job search strategies, and interview techniques. Service delivery includes standalone workshops (in-person, virtual, or hybrid), classroom activities, one-on-one meetings, and web-based videos and materials;
• Integrate technology/tools and resources (Vita Navis, Handshake, etc.) into career services to help students identify their strengths, interests, career goals, and seek employment opportunities;
• Integrate transfer planning tools and resources into transfer services to help students understand transfer opportunities and navigate the transfer process at Highline College and four-year universities.

Professional Development (10%)

• Stay current with trends, promising practices, and information related to career development, employment services, and transfer;
• Participate in relevant professional development activities, conferences, and workshops;
• Participate in campus committees and events within the broader college community;
• Provide supervision and support for Advising, Career and Transfer staff in the Director's absence.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with a diverse student population;
• Effective leadership, supervision, and management skills;
• Excellent organizational and project management skills;
• Strong data analysis and reporting skills;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to multitask and manage multiple projects while meeting deadlines;
• Ability to learn and use a variety of technology and software such as Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, databases, Peoplesoft, Vita Navis, Handshake, etc;
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external partners;
• Knowledge of career or employment services practices;
• Knowledge of the university transfer admissions process or transfer advising.

Work Conditions:

• Work is typically performed on-site in an office environment;
• Regular work hours are from 8:00am-5:00pm Mon, Wed,Thur, Tues 8:00am – 6:00pm, Fri 8:00am-2:00pm;
• Occasional work is required during evenings and weekends for events and workshops;
• Required to conduct public speaking during workshops and events;
• Frequent interaction with students, staff, faculty, and external partners.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school graduation or equivalent; AND
• Three years of experience in advising, management, or related field; OR Three years of experience with program development and management.

Desired Qualifications:

• BachelorsDegree in Business or related field;
• Experience working in higher education;
• Experience working in career or employment services.

Supplemental Information

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.

THE COLLEGE

Founded in 1961, Highline College was the first community college to be established in King County and is one of 34 community and technical colleges. More than 350,000 alumni have graduated from Highline over the years. Nestled between Seattle and Tacoma, we are located on the traditional village sites of the Muckleshoot, Puyallup and many other Coast Salish tribes.

Highline prioritizes access for all students, staff, and faculty, which is evident in our Mission, Vision, and Values. We are proud Highline strives to improve access to Education for our student community. Those who come to our college bring unique personal experiences, beliefs, and perspectives and make us better. We strive to provide and highlight resources to support our students, staff, and faculty by fostering a equal opportunity focused workplace that reflects the communities we serve.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

National Criminal Background Check may be required.

HIGHLINE COLLEGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Highline College is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects all cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientations, and gender identities. We strongly encourage applicants to apply without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legal protected status.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The College complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants needing accommodations in the application process in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources office at [phone]. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may dial 711 to place a call through Washington Relay, the state's free telecommunication access service.

TITLE IX POLICY

Highline College complies with Title IX regulations. For details on our policies, see our website https://humanresources.highline.edu/faculty-and-staff/policies/title-ix/ The College appointing authorities reserve the right and may exercise the option to make an employment decision prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process.