Director of Student Professional Development

University of North Georgia • Dahlonega, GA

59d

About The Position

The Director of Student Professional Development in the Mike Cottrell College of Business provides strategic leadership to enhance student success through innovative co-curricular, extracurricular, and professional development programs. Working at the intersection of multiple university divisions, including Study Abroad, Undergraduate Research, Career Services, and other high-impact practices, the Director facilitates partnerships that connect college-specific endeavors with broader university goals. Further, this role collaborates with deans, faculty, staff, and students to set a college-wide vision and implement high-impact learning activities that prepare students for academic and career success, ensuring alignment with the institution's mission and goals.

Requirements

• Knowledge of best practices for student engagement and professional development; Knowledge of labor market needs, preferably in the North Georgia region and state of Georgia overall
• Knowledge of best practices for co-op and internship programs
• Knowledge of high impact learning practices
• Skill at communicating effectively in writing and verbally with a business audience and with students
• Skill at identifying and creatively resolving problems
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Skill at organizing and executing events
• Ability to set a vision for a program and execute on that vision
• Ability to design and implement complex programs
• Ability to supervise and motivate staff
• Ability to identify and assess program outcomes and communicate results accurately and clearly
• Ability to work with a diverse student, employer, and faculty population
• Bachelor's degree required.
• At least five years of experience in career development, or five years of experience in recruitment or other talent engagement activity.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree preferred; preferably in business, career counseling, or higher education.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, vision, and oversight for the Professional Roadmap to Ongoing Success (PROS) program, including supervision of program staff and coordination with the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs to support a cohesive, college-wide student success strategy.
• Partner with the dean, associate deans, department chairs, and university units to develop, promote, and support high-impact learning experiences such as study abroad, undergraduate research, service learning, and other student engagement opportunities.
• Plan, coordinate, and support college events related to student professional development, including the Business Student Organization Fair, Cottrell Speaker Series, employer days, career fairs, and similar initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of Employer Engagement and Associate Director of Data and Experiential Learning to establish and track key performance metrics for engagement and professional development initiatives; compile and present findings in an annual report to the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs.
• Advise students on PROS program requirements and provide individualized feedback on resumes, job search strategies, and overall career readiness.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and support graduate assistants, student workers, and peer advisors involved in the student professional development program; conduct regular individual and team meetings to ensure effective communication and performance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Industry: Educational Services