Director of Career Development

NORTHWEST NAZARENE UNIVERSITY

CENTER FOR STUDENT LIFE AND CALLING
Director of Career Development

Description of Position
The Director of Career Development at Northwest Nazarene University has oversight of the university’s career development programming and resources. The Director is responsible for establishing and managing quality and comprehensive career services to undergraduate and graduate students, and alumni in various phases of their career development process. The Director of Career Development reports to the Associate Vice President for Student Life and resides in the Center for Student Life and Calling.  This is a 11-month, full-time Exempt position.

Essential Functions 

• Manages day to day operations of Career Development including the development and implementation of department budget, policies, and procedures.
• Maintains oversight of the university’s career management system.
• Develops a robust system for tracking student engagement, contacts, placement, and outcomes. 
• Researches, synthesizes, reports and utilizes relevant data to analyze current programs and student populations to make data-driven decisions regarding best practices, program expansion, and efficient operations in alignment with the university’s strategic plan.
• Provides one-on-one career advising and coaching sessions, in addition to career development events (in-person or virtual) and helps students connect with appropriate resources.
• Designs programming and opportunities, coordinating with Admissions, for admitted students to begin the career exploration and calling before and during their first year.
• Creates and disseminates career development content through departmental websites, classroom presentations and workshops, print material, and social media. 
• Maintains awareness of trends in job search strategies, job market trends, employer relations and talent acquisition methodologies, internship programs, and the application of technology in the delivery of related services.
• Develops and manages relationships with key institutional partners to foster collaboration towards shared goals/objectives and to promote career resources and services.
• Develops and maintains relationships with Deans, Academic Department Chairs, Faculty and individuals overseeing internship placements to identify and define learning opportunities; Assists in the meeting of career development needs of their students and alumni.
• Partner with the Center for Academic Success and Advising to teach the career classes for academic credit.
• Represents NNU to a wide variety of community organizations, professional associations, government agencies, non-profit entities, and partners in higher education to maintain a professional presence. 
• Facilitates on-campus recruiting programs for internships and employment opportunities, including the design and implementation of Career Week activities, recruitment tables, and information sessions.
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree or eight or more (8+) years of experience in career related fields
• The candidate must demonstrate high motivation and commitment to the University, including the ability to self-start, use deductive reasoning, be calm under pressure, meet deadlines in a deadline-oriented environment, and relate to a variety of personalities under diverse circumstances
• Proven interpersonal skills including the ability to listen and communicate effectively in oral and written forms and interact effectively and enthusiastically with a variety of constituencies (students, faculty/staff, alumni, community members, etc.)
• Requires strong presentation, program planning, organizational and creative problem- solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team and also to work independently
• The University requires that all candidates be Christians (preferably in the Wesleyan tradition), and must be comfortable with, in agreement with, and able to represent the mission and lifestyle values of NNU to all constituencies

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Career Services, Human Resources, or Student Life
• Experience in utilizing career counseling techniques and assessments
• Teaching or Leadership experience
• Current knowledge of NNU or Christian higher education
• Experience with career development platforms (i.e. Anthology, Handshake, or similar)