Senior Director, Career Development

Eastern Michigan University; Ypsilanti (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Eastern Michigan University seeks a dynamic Senior Director of Career Development to lead the University Career Development Center, partnering across the university to reimagine how students translate education into meaningful careers. The role focuses on building a robust career development ecosystem from early student experiences through graduation and beyond.

The Director will drive strategic programs, partnerships with employers, alumni, faculty and staff, and innovative approaches including

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Higher Education, College Student Personnel, Counseling, HR, Business, Communications, Marketing, or a related field is required.
• At least five years of progressive experience in career development, higher education, workforce development, or related areas.
• Experience supervising, developing, or leading staff.
• Ability to develop and implement programs, initiatives, or partnerships from concept to execution.
• Strong interpersonal, written, verbal, organizational, and collaborative leadership skills.
• Experience with technology, data, and assessment to improve programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for development, assessment, and improvement of EMU career programs and initiatives.
• Develop a comprehensive vision for integrating career exploration throughout the student experience.
• Build partnerships with colleges, departments, alumni, and external partners.
• Lead strategies to engage students early in career exploration and professional development.
• Coordinate employer engagement, internships, and experiential learning opportunities.
• Oversee career fairs, events, and outreach to strengthen career readiness.
• Ensure programs are accessible to EMU's diverse student population.
• Guide marketing and digital resources for the Career Development Center.

Skills

Leadership

Staff supervision

Strategic planning

Partner development

Data-driven decision making

Education

Master's degree in Higher Education or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Career management platforms

Digital engagement tools

Job description

Title: Senior Director, Career Development

Employee Classification: AP - Administrative Professional

Pay Grade: AP 09

Division: Advancement

Subdivision: Career Development

Campus Location: Main Campus

General Summary

Eastern Michigan University seeks a dynamic, innovative, and student-centered leader to serve as Director, Career Development within the University Career Development Center. This position represents an exciting opportunity to help reimagine career development at Eastern Michigan University and strengthen the ways EMU prepares students to translate their education, experiences, talents, and aspirations into meaningful careers and lives. The successful candidate will understand that career development is not a single office, program, or moment near graduation. It is an essential part of the student experience and a shared University responsibility. This is a role for a builder, collaborator, and innovator who can help EMU think boldly about the future of career development while translating that vision into programs, partnerships, experiences, and measurable outcomes for students.

The Director will be a transformative leader who brings an entrepreneurial mindset to career development. Working collaboratively across the University, this individual will help strengthen a career development ecosystem that begins early in the student experience, extends across academic disciplines, and connects students with industry employers, alumni, faculty, staff, and other partners.

Reporting to the Vice President for Advancement, the Director will provide strategic and administrative leadership for career development programs, initiatives, partnerships, technology, communications, and outreach within the University Career Development Center. Work closely with University partners to develop and implement innovative approaches to career exploration, career readiness, professional development, experiential learning, employer engagement, and student success. Expand the reach and impact of career development across the University and ensure students have access to high-quality career resources, experiences, relationships, and opportunities.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for the development, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement of career development programs and initiatives serving EMU students and alumni.
• Help develop and execute a comprehensive vision for career development that integrates career exploration and preparation throughout the student experience.
• Identify opportunities to innovate and expand programming in response to changing student needs, employer expectations, emerging technologies, economic conditions, and workforce trends.
• Build strong partnerships with academic colleges, departments, faculty, advisors, student-success professionals, alumni engagement, advancement, and other University units.
• Develop innovative strategies for engaging students earlier and more consistently in career exploration, professional development, experiential learning, networking, and career preparation.
• Partner with employers, alumni, community organizations, and industry leaders to create meaningful connections and opportunities for students.
• Expand opportunities for internships, experiential learning, mentoring, employer engagement, networking, and other experiences that prepare students for successful transitions from college to career.
• Develop and coordinate programs, workshops, events, resources, and other experiences that strengthen career readiness and professional competencies.
• Provide leadership and support for career fairs, employer engagement programs, networking opportunities, industry-focused events, alumni career programs, and other signature experiences.
• Develop strategies to ensure career development programs and resources are accessible and responsive to EMU's broad and diverse student population.
• Serve as a resource and representative of the Center and provide leadership on career development, partnerships, marketing, and outreach.
• Assist in developing and implementing marketing, communications, and outreach strategies that increase awareness and engagement.
• Collaborate on continuous improvement of the Center's website, digital resources, social media, communications, and other platforms.
• Explore and advance emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and digital career platforms, to expand access, personalize the student experience, and prepare students for a changing workplace.
• Use data, assessment, student and employer feedback, and workforce trends to evaluate programs, demonstrate impact, and guide strategic decision-making.
• Develop meaningful measures of student engagement and career outcomes and contribute to a culture of assessment and continuous improvement.
• Assist with annual and periodic reports, career outcomes information, employment trend analyses, and other materials demonstrating impact.
• Assist with development and monitoring of the Center budget and strategic deployment of resources.
• Supervise, coach, and develop assigned professional, support, and student staff.
• Represent the Department at professional conferences, meetings, employer and community events, and on University committees.
• Maintain knowledge of national trends and emerging practices in career development, higher education, workforce development, experiential learning, and student success.
• Identify opportunities for partnerships, sponsorships, external resources, and collaborations that expand career development opportunities for EMU students.
• Adhere to applicable Eastern Michigan University policies, rules, regulations, and operational procedures.
• Perform related departmental duties, as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of higher education, career development, workforce and recruiting trends, experiential learning, communications and marketing strategies, employer engagement, and program development typically acquired through completion of a master's degree in Higher Education, College Student Personnel, Counseling, Human Resources, Business, Communications, Marketing, or a related field is required.
• At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in career development, higher education, workforce development, employer relations, student success, experiential learning, or a closely related area is required.
• Demonstrated experience supervising, developing, or leading staff is required. The Director will lead a team of 6-8 career services professionals, with the opportunity to grow leadership in the future, both personally and within the team.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement programs, initiatives, or partnerships from concept through execution is required.
• Strong interpersonal, written, verbal, organizational, and collaborative leadership skills are required.
• Demonstrated ability to establish productive relationships with students, faculty, staff, administrators, employers, alumni, and external partners is required.
• Experience using technology, data, assessment, and feedback to improve programs, services, or constituent experiences is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience in career services, career development, employer relations, experiential learning, workforce development, academic advising, or another student‑success function in higher education is preferred.
• Experience developing innovative career programs, employer partnerships, experiential learning opportunities, or student engagement initiatives is preferred.
• Experience with career management platforms, CRM systems, digital engagement tools, artificial intelligence, or other emerging technologies relevant to career development is preferred.

Special Instructions

This position may be filled at the Director or Senior Director levels.

Appointment Percentage

100%

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status.