Director of Career Services - Sonoma State University
About The Position
Sonoma State University (SSU) is seeking a Director of Career Services to join their team in Sonoma, California. This is a hybrid role within the Division of Student Affairs. SSU is part of the California State University system, known for its personalized student experience and strong commitment to student success. The university has strong graduation rates and an engaged alumni network at companies like Google, Meta, Deloitte, and Kaiser. This role is focused on building momentum by expanding employer partnerships, embedding career readiness into academics, and ensuring students have a clear path forward after graduation. The Director will lead the strategy, operations, and evolution of a student-centered Career Center, with the opportunity to reimagine how career readiness is delivered. The position reports to the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in educational leadership, student affairs, higher education, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in career advising, student development, or student affairs
- At least 3 years of progressively responsible leadership, including supervisory experience
- Demonstrated knowledge of career development practices, student learning outcomes, and program assessment
- Experience leading programs, managing operations, and supervising staff
Nice To Haves
- Master's or Doctoral degree in a related field
- Experience working within a university career center
- Familiarity with NACE or CAS standards and career outcome assessment practices
- Experience with platforms such as Handshake, EAB Navigate, Focus2Career, or PeopleSoft
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership for a comprehensive, equity-minded career services model aligned with university goals and workforce needs
- Lead and develop a team of career services professionals, fostering a high-impact, student-centered culture
- Drive a rebranding and visibility initiative to increase student, faculty, and employer engagement
- Build and expand employer partnerships to create internship pipelines and post-graduate opportunities
- Collaborate with faculty to embed career readiness and employability planning into academic programs
- Advance an integrated advising model supporting undeclared, pre-professional, and underserved student populations
- Oversee career programming, workshops, events, and peer coaching initiatives
- Manage departmental operations, including budget oversight, planning, and resource allocation
- Partner across Student Affairs and Academic Affairs to support retention, graduation, and career outcomes
- Ensure inclusive, accessible services that meet the needs of first-generation, transfer, and historically underserved students
Benefits
- Salary range: $84,000 – $90,000 annually
- Hybrid work environment with flexibility
- Comprehensive benefits package (typically adds 30-35% to total compensation)
- Up to 24 vacation days per year
- Access to athletic and gym facilities
- Access to renowned sporting events, artist events, and world-renowned speakers
- Numerous professional development opportunities
- Tuition waivers for yourself, a spouse, registered domestic partner or an eligible dependent child across any of the 23 CSU campuses
- Two different retirement plans: CalPERS Retirement Plan or 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan
- Medical benefits tailored to support various life stages
- Pre-tax commuter benefits
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
