Director, Career Services

The Ohio State University • Columbus, OH

1d • $120,000 - $156,800

About The Position

The Director of Career Services provides strategic, enterprise-level leadership for the College of Arts and Sciences’ Center for Career and Professional Success. Serving as a key driver of the college’s student success strategy, the Director oversees three core functional areas—Career Advising and Professional Development, Employer and Alumni Engagement, and Operations—while leading initiatives that integrate career readiness into the academic experience and mobilize alumni networks as a strategic resource. In this role, the Director acts as the primary architect of career integration across the college, collaborating closely with faculty, alumni, employers, and university partners to prepare students for meaningful careers and long-term professional success.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in higher education administration, in an appropriate field in Arts and Sciences, or related field.
• Ten years of relevant supervisory experience.
• Experience in program planning, administration, evaluation, and budget management.

Nice To Haves

• Doctorate or terminal degree in higher education or a related field in Arts and Sciences.
• Knowledge of career advising, experiential learning, employer relations and corporate recruiting practices; experience working with career outcomes data; successful track record of alumni relations and/or engaging corporate sponsors.
• Record of active participation in regional or national professional associations; experience w/CSM systems (preferably Handshake); demonstrated public relations and marketing skills to be used on behalf of the college as a whole and the Center specifically.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for Career Advising, Employer and Alumni Engagement, and Operations, ensuring all functions align with college and university priorities.
• Develop and implement multi-year strategic plans that advance the Center’s mission, using data-driven approaches to track and report progress toward measurable outcomes.
• Oversee complex departmental budgeting and financial management, including forecasting, resource allocation, and stewardship of funds.
• Partner with deans, department chairs, and faculty to embed career readiness across curricula and academic programs, promoting a culture of professional development throughout the college.
• Represent the Center to internal and external audiences, serving as a thought leader and key ambassador to alumni, employers, university leadership, and other stakeholders.
• Alumni Partnerships and Experiential Learning Expansion, develops and executes college-wide frameworks to leverage alumni networks for mentoring, career programming, and employer pipelines.
• Faculty Champions Program, designs, launches, and sustains a formal Faculty Champions program that incentivizes faculty to embed career preparation into courses, majors, and programs - creating systemic changes in curricular design.

Benefits

• Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director