Director of Career Planning & Development

Drury University•Springfield, MO

About The Position

The Director of Career Planning & Development provides leadership for the Office of Career Planning & Development and supports the mission and strategic plan of Drury University and the Cox Compass Center. The director oversees, assesses, reports on, and markets career development activities and programs; supervises professional and student staff; and manages the office budget and administrative functions. The role serves as the primary liaison between potential employers and the university, its students, and alumni. The director leads career planning and development services for current and prospective students, employers, faculty, staff, and alumni. This includes individual appointments, workshops, career advising, career-related assessments, and, as needed, instruction in courses that include career development curriculum. The director evaluates existing services and programs, assesses constituent needs, establishes strategic and operational plans, and develops innovative programming to improve student outcomes. The position develops and executes a comprehensive marketing plan, represents Drury at recruiting events, and cultivates employment relationships and resources locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. The director oversees collection and reporting of internship and first-destination outcomes, shares data with appropriate constituents, and collaborates with campus units and university constituents to support student success. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required for programming or special events.

Requirements

Master’s degree in counseling, liberal arts, education, business, a STEM field, student affairs, human resources, or a related field; an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted.
At least 3 years of experience in career counseling or coaching services, human resources, recruiting, talent development, or relevant experience.
Demonstrated supervisory experience in higher education.
Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, with the ability to represent the university professionally to internal and external constituents.
Demonstrated commitment to community engagement and service.
Ability to lead, delegate responsibility to, and supervise staff.
Ability to collaborate with academic advisors, faculty advisors, administrators, and student affairs colleagues to support student success.
Demonstrated experience with programming and networking for student populations in a university community.
Ability to provide career counseling and developmental programming for a broad range of majors at a comprehensive liberal arts university.
Ability to collect raw data, convert it to statistical data, conduct assessments and evaluations, and write reports.
Proficient management skills, including directing departmental resources and using technology tools and software to plan and monitor budgets.
Ability to organize and prioritize effectively, manage multiple tasks, maintain attention to detail, and provide accurate information.
Ability to work effectively in a team with students, student government, employers, alumni, faculty, staff, and other constituents.
Demonstrated ability to innovate, evaluate, develop procedures, and implement positive changes.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage student situations in accordance with FERPA.
Ability to handle stressful situations and resolve conflicts between students and employers.
Willingness to work occasional weekends and evenings for programming or marketing at special events.
Ability to meet the physical requirements of the position, including regularly sitting, using hands, and talking or hearing; occasionally standing, walking, climbing or balancing, stooping or kneeling, and lifting or moving up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Previous certification or training in career, personality, and leadership-related inventories and assessments.
Familiarity with Handshake and other innovative web-based tools.
Familiarity with CPT/OPT processes and procedures.
PHR, SPRH, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership for the Office of Career Planning & Development and collaborate with the Robert and Mary Cox Compass Center team.
Hire, mentor, train, supervise, and evaluate professional and student staff; assign and direct work, appraise performance, and address complaints and problems.
Coordinate professional development activities for Career Planning & Development staff, students, and faculty.
Develop and manage the office budget, supervise expenditures, maintain fiscal responsibility, and request funds as needed.
Maintain professional organization memberships and involvement to support professional growth and effective program development.
Coordinate Handshake and other software or web-based tools for student success; direct or delegate internship registration processes and social media efforts.
Monitor trends, regulations, and current events affecting career services.
Provide or delegate career planning appointments, workshops, and advice on job searching, interviewing, resumés, letters, and other career-planning topics.
Integrate career development information into Cox Compass Center practices and help students connect academic and career opportunities with future professional lives.
Administer and interpret assessments, including Focus 2, to help students and alumni connect skills, interests, and abilities with graduate school and work opportunities.
Instruct courses that include career development curriculum, as needed.
Lead and evaluate existing services and programs, assess constituent needs, and develop innovative programming as appropriate.
Develop and implement long-term strategic plans and short-term operational plans, set priorities, and refine vision, mission, goals, and objectives as part of a comprehensive assessment plan.
Collaborate with Compass Center staff on assessment initiatives.
Develop and execute a comprehensive marketing plan to promote Career Planning & Development services and their contribution to student success and Drury’s mission.
Represent Drury University to parents and prospective students and represent the office at local and regional recruiting events.
Cultivate local, regional, state, and national relationships to expand employment opportunities and resources for students and alumni.
Oversee collection and reporting of internship, first-destination, and other outcomes data; share outcomes through annual reports and executive summaries with appropriate constituents, including the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
Participate in appropriate campus committees and serve as the primary liaison between potential employers and the university, students, and alumni.
Coordinate communication with deans, department chairs, faculty, and administrators about the office’s mission, objectives, policies, and services.
Coordinate and grow partnerships with the Office of University Advancement, Student Government Association, and other Drury units.
Perform other related duties as assigned.