Senior MPA Career Coach, Texas McCombs

University of Texas; Utah; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin is seeking a Senior MPA Career Coach to lead ACC 151: Accounting Careers Exploration and guide MPA students through practical career development. The role combines coaching, curriculum leadership, and program strategy within McCombs Career Management & Corporate Relations.

The ideal candidate will use data to inform strategy, build relationships with students, alumni, and employers, and thrive in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in business, education, counseling, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years in corporate functions or related career coaching/advising roles.
• Strong client-focused and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead ACC 151: Accounting Careers Exploration from design to delivery.
• Teach ACC 151 in fall with integrated career prep strategies.
• Manage course operations including Canvas, assignments, and grading.
• Track outcomes and refine content based on data and feedback.
• Develop and maintain career resources for MPA students.

Skills

Communication skills

Project management

Public speaking

Data-driven decision making

Collaboration

Education

Master's degree in business/education/counseling

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Senior MPA Career Coach

Hiring Department: Red McCombs School of Business

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date: Immediately

Position Duration: Expected to Continue

Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS

Texas McCombs is a top business school at the center of one of the most innovative cities in the U.S. The McCombs community champions hands‑on experiences alongside the ground‑breaking research and thought leadership of a world‑class faculty. The collaborative spirit and enterprising drive of the Longhorn alumni network, one of the largest university networks in the world, is embedded in our culture, making us human‑centered and future‑focused in all our endeavors. We are shaping those who will shape tomorrow and solving challenging problems while remaining committed to creating a community that is dynamic, supportive, and challenging. What starts here really does change the world. For more information about the McCombs School of Business please visit https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/.

Purpose The Senior MPA Career Coach is a key member of the MPA Career Education and Coaching team, housed within McCombs Career Management & Corporate Relations. This role combines career coaching, curriculum leadership, and strategic programming to prepare MPA students for success in competitive hiring environments. A central responsibility of this role is ownership of the ACC 151: Accounting Careers Exploration course, from design through delivery and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate is a proactive coach who uses data to inform strategy, builds strong relationships with students, alumni, and employers, and thrives in a collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end development, delivery, and continuous improvement of ACC 151: Accounting Careers Exploration, ensuring content reflects current hiring trends and employer expectations.
• Teach ACC 151 in the fall semester, integrating career preparation strategies, networking techniques, and industry‑specific hiring practices into an engaging classroom experience.
• Manage all course operations, including Canvas administration, assignment design and grading, faculty collaboration, and teaching logistics.
• Analyze course effectiveness by tracking student engagement, employment outcomes, and industry feedback, making recommendations for ongoing refinement.
• Develop and maintain supplemental career resources for MPA students, including the MPA Career Management Canvas page and preparation tools such as ExPrep.
• Provide one‑on‑one and group career coaching to MPA students on topics such as resume writing, interview preparation (behavioral, case, and technical), job search strategy, networking, offer evaluation, and salary negotiation.
• Offer specialized career advising tailored to the needs of international students, technical hiring processes, and industry‑specific recruitment cycles.
• Track student progress and conduct proactive outreach to ensure students receive ongoing support and guidance throughout their job search process.
• Serve as a liaison to faculty and program staff, integrating career education into the overall MPA student experience.
• Collaborate with the Employer Engagement & Special Events team to develop career panels, employer‑led workshops, and networking events aligned with evolving market demands and student needs.
• Create and implement programming that addresses the unique job search challenges of MPA students, including international job search strategies and industry‑specific hiring cycles.
• Plan and execute MPA Mock Interview events to provide MPA students with the opportunity to connect with employers and practice their interviewing skills in a meaningful way.
• Use participation data and post‑event feedback to evaluate programming effectiveness and improve events over time.
• Manage logistics and execution of career‑related events, including securing speakers, coordinating with employers, and ensuring smooth student participation.
• Collaborate with members of the Career Education and Coaching, Employer Engagement, and other teams in the Program office to align schedules, events, and employer and alumni engagement opportunities.
• Own one or more strategic projects individually or in partnership with team members (e.g., Vendor evaluation and management, Employment data tracking, analysis, and reporting, Student communication strategy and digital content curation, Recruitment, onboarding, and management of student workers).
• Develop tailored resources and programming for international students navigating the U.S. job market.
• Contribution to team‑level projects that inform coaching strategy and resource allocation.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in business, education, counseling, or related field
• Minimum of 5 years’ work experience in corporate functions (e.g., accounting, finance, consulting, operations) or relevant experience in career coaching/advising, outplacement, recruiting for these industries.
• A genuine desire to work with students and broad knowledge of career paths available to business graduates.
• Strong customer focus (ability to listen attentively to students and other internal and external stakeholders to understand and respond positively to their requests) is required.
• Demonstrated project management ability, strong interpersonal skills, professional presence, and excellence in both oral and written communication.
• Proficiency with web‑based tools, spreadsheet and presentation software (MS Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel).
• Demonstrated ability to work and thrive in a fast‑paced, collaborative team environment.
• An entrepreneurial mindset with a proven track record of taking initiative, solving problems proactively, and driving projects forward independently.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to define tasks, prioritize competing deadlines, and follow through on projects with minimal oversight.
• Ability to develop compelling presentations and speak confidently to large audiences.
• Must be able to provide effective support to highly motivated business professionals navigating career transition.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of accounting careers and public accounting recruiting cycles.
• Familiarity with online and distance learning methods and technologies.
• Prior experience in admissions, sales, or business development.
• Experience working with individuals from a wide range of cultures.
• Experience supporting students on F‑1 visas, including awareness of OPT/CPT processes and employer sponsorship considerations.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with students, alumni, and recruiters, including in hybrid or remote work settings.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools, including pivot tables in Excel, and comfort using data to inform coaching strategy and track student outcomes.

Salary Range

$65,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

May work under standard office conditions with repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation. Regular weekday hours required. M‑F work hours will flex accordingly and may require evening or weekend availability during peak periods to support student programs. This is an Austin, Texas‑based position. Applicants must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the United States. This position is not eligible for sponsorship of work visas.

Employment Eligibility: Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University‑Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retention Plan Eligibility: The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks: A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency: The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification: If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I‑9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E‑Verify: The University of Texas at Austin use E‑Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E‑Verify is 854197. For more information about E‑Verify, please see the following: E‑Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance: Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.

Start Here, Change the World At The University of Texas at Austin

Named by Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers for the sixth year in a row in 2025, UT offers both a dynamic work environment and a gateway to vibrant local culture. Whether you're at the forefront of the student experience, conducting world‑changing research or supporting the engine that drives Texas’ flagship university, working at UT means making a lasting impact on our city, our state and our world. Our more than 20,000 faculty and staff empower 55,000+ students to challenge ideas, pursue passions and shape their futures. Joining UT, you’ll become part of a community dedicated to making a meaningful impact on campus and throughout the world.

Comments and Inquiries: Email comments to [e-mail]. For questions or concerns regarding equal opportunity only, contact Equal Opportunity Services. Additional information for applicants can be found on the Human Resources web page: Applying for Employment. For more job information, call the Human Resource Service Center at [phone], or toll‑free at [phone]. UT Austin is a Tobacco‑free Campus