Associate Vice President of Student Professional Development

Elon University is seeking an innovative and visionary leader with significant administrative experience and accomplishments to lead the university's nationally recognized Student Professional Development Center (SPDC). The Center includes 22 full-time career services professionals and serves the university's 6,500 undergraduate and 800 graduate students, along with more than 35,000 Elon alumni.

The Associate Vice President reports to the Senior Vice President for University Advancement and External Affairs, overseeing the development and delivery of programs and resources that positively impact the professional development of students and alumni.

The position is the chief career services officer who is responsible for developing and strengthening Elon's career ecosystem. Through effective collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, including academic affairs, student affairs, admissions, alumni, corporate relations, trustees, parents, and student leadership, the Associate Vice President will design and implement a comprehensive career services strategy that enhances student employability, fosters employer relationships, and integrates career readiness into the Elon experience. The Associate Vice President maintains a student-centered, forward-thinking operation, oversees assessment functions, the articulation of outcomes to internal and external stakeholders, and serves as a spokesperson for Elon on student career-related issues.

 

Requirements

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As Elon's chief career services officer, build through vision and strategic execution an effective career ecosystem that attracts and engages employers, prepares and inspires students, and amplifies a culture of excellence in career services. Articulate the vision and services provided by the SPDC to those inside and outside of Elon University.

Lead the effort to identify and expand connections with employers and external constituents to create and sustain excellent internship and employment opportunities for students. Represent the university with all major associations (NACE, SoACE, NCACE); manage the association's annual dues and memberships; work with career services directors from peer & aspirant universities for best practices benchmarking. Manage the development and achievement of the SPDC Strategic Plan in support of the Boldly Elon strategic plan.

 

Utilize predictive analytics to gain more certainty about employer hiring trends, shifts in demand and professional skills needed to succeed in the current environment. Maintain responsibility for First Destination Survey reporting and integrity of university outcomes data; generate SPDC Annual Report at the end of each academic year, sharing broad metrics regarding student outcomes as well as student and organizational engagement. Manage budget lines that report up and through the SPDC. Plan for future budget needs, assure compensation equity, and industry benchmarking.

 

Consult with academic deans and faculty colleagues to ensure that programs and services address student needs and incorporate faculty involvement in identifying opportunities to bridge the skills development that takes place in the classroom and other campus environments. Build and maintain relationships with Academic Deans, key members of senior staff, and other university department heads. Direct all SPDC marketing and communications, internally and externally. Build advocates across campus and the Elon community in support of innovative career programs to platform as forward-thinking and integrative programs. Partner effectively with the University Advancement team to enhance external cultivation and stewardship opportunities, as well as to consider potential methods to support alumni career development. Support Career and Professional Development with Elon graduate programs (i.e., MBA, MSBA, MHE, and School of Health Sciences).

 

Provide supervision of Career Services and school-level Professional Development Centers to support employer relations and graduate school goals, and to create opportunities congruent with the overall mission and vision of the professional development of Elon graduates. Lead and mentor a team of 22 full-time career professionals as one progressive and cohesive unit across the university. Manage the overall SPDC organization planning and staffing responsibility, ensuring high performance and professional development/staff retention.

 

Participate in advisory boards, Parents Council, and other Elon councils and affinity group meetings on a routine basis throughout the year. Represent Elon University at external meetings, advisory boards, and economic groups. Manage the Career Committee of the Parents Council. Participate as a member of the Academic Affairs Advisory Committee (AAAC) and on university-wide committees, as assigned.

 

The full job prospectus is available at https://www.careerleadershipcollective.com/elon

 

Requirements:

 

• Master's degree in MHE, MBA, MA/MS, or other and 10 or more years of experience with the following relevant work experience: progressive leadership and supervision in career services positions or in a related management field in industry.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing career ecosystems employing current career development models, career assessments, career counseling/advising/coaching, employment trends, employer relations, and legal issues in employment.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, act collaboratively, and lead organizational change, coupled with a track record of experience developing and supervising professional staff.
• Demonstrated commitment to best practices in career services as well as the competencies and ethical guidelines developed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
• Desired experience includes managing resources, including budgets and technology; knowledge of effective assessment strategies to inform programs and practice; excellent communication, marketing, and public relations skills; demonstrated competency in working with the needs of diverse student populations; and evidence of innovative activities leading to organizational growth, and experience with program development and delivery models serving the needs of all students.​

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Education: Master's degree (required)

 

Type: Experienced

 

Salary: $160-$170K

State: North Carolina

City: Elon

Display Company Info As: Elon University

 

Send Applicants To: [email protected]

 

Notes: The full job prospectus is available at https://www.careerleadershipcollective.com/elon

 

To Apply:  

 

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, current resume, and three references saved as one document, either Word or a PDF. The file name should start with your first name and then last name, such as, “John Doe - Elon Application.” This should be emailed to [email protected] with the subject “Application for Elon AVP.” The application deadline is March 21, 2025.

 

Elon University is an equal employment opportunity employer committed to a diverse faculty, staff, and student body and welcomes all applicants. Elon University values and celebrates the backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and perspectives of our community members. We embrace diversity in its broadest sense, including, but not limited to, age, disability, ethnicity, gender, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic standing, and intellectual viewpoint.