Director of Career Communities

UO HR Website•Eugene, OR

About The Position

We are seeking a collaborative leader to serve as the Director of Career Communities, a pivotal role in shaping the future of career development at the University of Oregon. As the architect of a new university‑wide model, you will design and build the systems, partnerships, and structures that make each Career Community a vibrant, inclusive hub where students can explore industries, gain hands‑on experience, and build professional networks that reflect the diversity of our student body. Under the leadership and supervisor of the Executive Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, you will bring together partners from across campus and beyond—including University Career Center colleagues, faculty, employers, alumni, and community partners—to coordinate the important work already happening and ensure programming remains industry‑informed, equity‑centered, and aligned with current labor‑market trends. You’ll provide strategic direction across all communities while empowering Program Directors to innovate and tailor their work to the unique needs of different industries. You will foster an environment for your team where innovation, continuous improvement, and student experience are core to everyday work. You will also lead efforts to use data to strengthen outcomes, close equity gaps, and communicate impact to university leadership. This position is ideal for a thoughtful, relationship‑driven leader who excels at building inclusive frameworks, managing complex initiatives, and championing student success at scale. If you are energized by the opportunity to design a transformational model, elevate equity in career preparation, and create an environment where all students feel seen, supported, and prepared to thrive at the University of Oregon and beyond, we invite you to bring your leadership to the University of Oregon.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
Four years of experience in career services administration, student success, higher education project management, or other related fields.
Four years of supervisory experience.
Demonstrated success aligning a diverse group of stakeholders around a shared objective.
Collaboration: Cultivates strong, productive relationships with students, faculty, staff, employers, and alumni; works effectively across functional areas to advance shared goals.
Team Leadership: Brings highly developed skills in team-based management, staff supervision, and creating conditions for team success.
Strategic Prioritization: Demonstrated ability to assess, organize, and prioritize multiple initiatives with a strategic lens and strong attention to detail.
Organizational Skills: Skilled in planning strategically, managing change, and maintaining clear structures and processes to support complex work.
Adaptability: Demonstrates flexibility in navigating shifting priorities, emerging challenges, and evolving institutional needs.
Equity and Inclusion: Works effectively with individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds—including students of color, international students, non-traditional and returning learners—and actively fosters an inclusive, welcoming, and culturally competent environment.
Data and Assessment: Able to analyze data, generate reports, interpret findings, and communicate assessment results to inform decision-making.
Marketing and Outreach: Understands and applies marketing principles to effectively promote programs, engage stakeholders, and communicate value to diverse audiences.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, or a related field.
Experience leading career development, student success, or advising initiatives in a higher education setting.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain productive relationships with faculty, staff, and/or employers.
Experience developing or managing scalable programs, systems, or processes that serve large, diverse student populations.
Proficiency using career services platforms or data systems (e.g., Handshake, CRM tools, analytics dashboards) to support decision‑making and program evaluation.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Career Communities Development: Provide strategic leadership for Career Communities by setting vision, goals, and scalable systems aligned with institutional priorities and labor market trends. Build strong campus partnerships, oversee advisory boards, and drive effective communication and student engagement strategies that promote access, equity, and awareness of community resources.
Team Leadership, Supervision & Professional Development: Lead and develop a team of Program Directors by providing supervision, coaching, and ongoing professional development. Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture by setting clear expectations, supporting complex problem-solving, and facilitating regular team and cross-functional planning.
Partnerships: Collaborate with University Career Center, and School and College colleagues to integrate Career Communities with key programming and align employer and alumni engagement efforts with community needs.
Assessment, Analytics & Administration: Lead assessment and data management for Career Communities by tracking engagement metrics, ensuring data accuracy, and using insights to drive continuous improvement. Manage and enhance technology platforms in support of Career Communities. Manage budgets and produce reports and dashboards to inform campus leaders and support effective operations.