Assistant Director of Career Education – Visual & Performing Arts

Seattle University Electrical and Computer Engineering•Seattle, WA

1d•$55,473 - $62,400•Onsite

About The Position

Seattle University’s Assistant Director of Career Education – Visual & Performing Arts works within the Division of Academic and Student Affairs and the Career Engagement Office. The role supports students and recent alumni, particularly those studying or interested in music, dance, theater, visual arts, digital media, and design. It guides professional formation and exploration of experiential learning, portfolio development, and post-graduation opportunities in creative and performing arts industries through career coaching, industry networking, workshops, and collaboration with faculty, student organizations, alumni, and employer partners. The position carries responsibility for the strategy, development, execution, assessment, and continuous improvement of an academic and industry portfolio, while contributing to broader Career Engagement priorities and university-wide initiatives. The successful candidate demonstrates commitment to Seattle University’s mission, social justice, equity, and inclusion. The role provides individual and group career coaching; develops career education programs, workshops, classroom presentations, and resources; builds experiential learning opportunities; manages employer, industry, alumni, and community relationships; and supports office operations, events, technology, and student employees. It is an onsite position. The posting lists 12 months per year.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree plus approximately 2–5 years of progressively responsible experience in career services, higher education, employer relations, alumni engagement, arts administration, recruiting, creative industries, or a related field; equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
Demonstrated experience developing and managing relationships with employers, alumni, community organizations, industry professionals, faculty, or other external partners.
Demonstrated experience developing career education, student success, experiential learning, or related programs.
Experience coaching, advising, mentoring, or supporting students or early-career professionals.
Strong relationship management, communication, program development, presentation, and organizational skills.
Ability to independently manage a portfolio of programs, relationships, and priorities.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate across organizational and academic boundaries.
Ability to use data and assessment to evaluate programs and inform decisions.
Understanding of, or ability to learn, the employment landscape of creative and performing arts fields.
Commitment to Seattle University’s Jesuit mission, professional formation, social justice, equity, and inclusion.
Demonstrated success in student mentoring, coaching, or advising and in creating and implementing educational, career-related, or relationship development programs.
Commitment to ongoing learning and development, and to giving and receiving feedback.
Demonstrated commitment to social justice.
Ability to creatively problem-solve and collaborate with others.

Nice To Haves

Experience working within creative and performing arts industries or supporting students pursuing creative careers.
Experience developing employer or alumni partnerships.
Experience with experiential learning, mentorship, internships, or industry engagement.
Experience collaborating with faculty or integrating career development into academic environments.
Familiarity with career technology, CRM systems, digital career resources, and emerging AI tools for career development.
An undergraduate degree in a creative field or related discipline.

Responsibilities

Provide individual and group career coaching for creatives, including portfolio development, audition preparation, artist statements, personal branding, graduate school preparation, and gig or freelance planning.
Guide students in pursuing fellowships, residencies, grants, apprenticeships, and freelance or personal business strategies in the arts.
Collect and enter data related to career coaching services, and research industry trends and hiring practices.
Apply diversity, equity, and inclusion perspectives to promote access to opportunities for underrepresented and marginalized students.
Collaborate with on-campus partners, including academic units, student groups, and on-campus employment, to increase outreach and integrate career education into student experiences and curricula.
Plan, develop, facilitate, and deliver career education programs, workshops, classroom presentations, and virtual resources that connect students with industry and prepare them for artistic careers.
Develop experiential learning opportunities with faculty, employers, alumni, and community organizations.
Monitor student engagement and developments in the arts ecosystem to inform strategic initiatives.
Collect and analyze program outcomes and First Destinations data to refine programming and share findings with stakeholders.
Support the Associate Director and career education team in strategy planning and implementation, as well as other departmental initiatives.
Manage employer, industry, and alumni relationships for Career Engagement's Cornish and creative and performing arts portfolio.
Develop and maintain relationships with employers, arts organizations, creative agencies, cultural institutions, nonprofit organizations, alumni, independent professionals, and other partners.
Cultivate organizations and individuals that can provide internships, employment, freelance and project work, mentorship, networking, experiential learning, and other professional opportunities.
Partner with Alumni Engagement and university stakeholders to identify and engage alumni relevant to creative and performing arts career pathways.
Create opportunities for employers and alumni to engage with students through panels, workshops, networking, portfolio reviews, mentorship, site visits, classroom engagement, and recruiting activities.
Help students use career development tools and technology, including Handshake, Slate, Redhawk Hub, and ConnectSU.
Conduct intake advising for students, faculty, employers, and other constituent groups, and refer them to appropriate resources or services.
Use the CRM to track and document external relationships with arts community leaders.
Participate in professional development and identify opportunities as part of a professional development plan.
Support supervision and training of student employees.
Assist with planning and day-of support for department-wide events, including career fairs, career treks, and employer or industry events.
Participate in or help coordinate and facilitate staff meetings and training sessions.
Serve on division or university committees and task forces as appropriate, and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for eligible employees.
Life, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage.
Employer retirement contributions of up to 10%, including a 5% nonelective contribution and a dollar-for-dollar match of voluntary contributions up to 5%.
100% paid tuition benefits for eligible employees and dependents.
Subsidized transportation benefit.
Wellness program with free access to an onsite fitness facility.
Campus events.
Generous holiday schedule, including a paid December holiday break closure.
Vacation and paid sick leave.
Paid community service leave.