Director for the Center for Career Development

Job Summary

The Director for Career Development is a key visionary leader who provides strategic direction for the Center for Career Development and ensures that their work contributes to the mission and strategic goals of the University.  The Director manages the operational and programmatic delivery of career services that serve the various needs of Tennessee Tech’s undergraduate and graduate students.  This role manages a team dedicated to delivering career advising, internship coordination, employer engagement, and career readiness training.  The Director will work closely with faculty, staff, alumni, employers, and external partners to ensure that students are prepared for the workforce as well as obtain the skills and abilities to explore their chosen fields.  This role reports to the Associate Provost in Academic Affairs. 

Essential Functions

• Provide innovative and strategic leadership for Tennessee Tech’s career development initiatives, ensuring alignment with institutional mission, academic priorities, and student success goals.
• Design and implement programs to support student career exploration, decision-making, career readiness, and job search strategies, including experiential learning, internship, co-op, and full-time employment preparation. Ensure offerings are responsive to student needs and industry trends.
• Develop and maintain excellent relationships with employers and the community, expanding employer involvement in programs and events related to the recruitment of students for experiential learning, internships, co-ops, and full-time job opportunities.
• Develop relationships, create partnerships, and collaborate with university departments, faculty, and student groups with the goal of increasing student participation in services, events, career fairs, and programs.
• Collect, analyze, and report on career outcomes data (e.g., employment rates, internship placements, salary data, etc.) to assess the effectiveness of services and inform institutional decision-making. Use data and feedback from students, alumni, and employers to continuously improve career programs and services.
• Supervise and support Career Development staff in delivering high-quality services, managing employer relations, and fostering collaborative outreach and student career advising efforts. Create and manage programs and manage department budgets.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in business or educational administration, counseling, college student personnel, or related field.
• Seven years of higher education experience, human resources, talent acquisition or another employment-related field.
• Supervisory and budget management experience.
• Proven experience working in collaborative environments and building cross-functional relationships with internal and/or external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher from an accredited institution.
• Three years’ experience working in Career Development or Talent Acquisition.
• Experience designing, delivering, and evaluating comprehensive career development programs, or related experience in human resources/workforce development.
• Demonstrated public relations, marketing, communication, and public speaking skills.
• Knowledge of NACE’s Principles for Professional Practice and the core principles of career readiness.
• Experience using enterprise-level recruiting or communication platforms such as Salesforce, Handshake, Symplicity, or other comparable CRM systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of experiential learning pathways, internships, and Co-ops.
• Familiarity with D2L Brightspace, Canvas, Blackboard, or comparable LMS platforms.
• In-depth understanding of career counseling principles, labor market trends, and the expectations of today’s employers.
• Proven ability to evaluate programs through data analysis and evidence-based assessment.

Salary

Starting at $74,330 - Commensurate with education and experience.

Tennessee Tech's core values, as defined in our strategic plan, include Academic Excellence, Innovation in All We Do, Exceptional Stewardship, and Engagement for Impact. These values are further detailed in the university's mission, vision, and strategic plan, emphasizing the importance of high academic achievement, fostering collaboration, and inspiring creativity.  Additionally, the university promotes a culture of kindness and emphasizes diversity and inclusion.