Director of the Berry Career Institute

Cornell College • Mt Vernon, IA

12h • Onsite

About The Position

Cornell College invites applications for a full-time Director of the Berry Career Institute (BCI). As a senior leader within the Division of Alumni and College Advancement, this position plays a critical role in advancing career readiness and post-graduate success, ensuring the Institute serves as a strategic advantage for students and a lifelong resource for alumni. The Director provides strategic leadership for the Berry Career Institute, connecting the student experience with career outcomes, alumni engagement, and the long-term value of a Cornell education. This role leads the development and implementation of high-impact experiential learning and career development initiatives integrated throughout the student lifecycle—from enrollment through graduation and beyond.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a career center, corporate college relations, or related field, including progressive management responsibilities required.
• Must have an ability to counsel and motivate students from a variety of majors, backgrounds, experiences, and vocational aspirations.
• Successful candidates will have experience working with external companies, organizations, agencies, and individuals to coordinate experiential learning and employment opportunities.
• A valid driver’s license is required.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in higher education administration, counseling, student personnel, MBA, or related field preferred
• Knowledge of best practices in career development, and an understanding of the relevance and value of a liberal arts education to the world of work and lifelong learning.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an enthusiasm for collaboration and creative endeavors.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage staff members and collaborate with a variety of stakeholders.
• Effective skills in communication, program development, outcomes assessment, and budget management.

Responsibilities

• Establish and execute a strategic vision and work plan for the Berry Career Institute
• Lead campus-wide career readiness and experiential learning initiatives
• Build and strengthen partnerships with employers, alumni, and external organizations
• Collaborate with faculty, academic departments, and campus partners to embed career development across the curriculum
• Oversee internship programming as a core element of experiential learning
• Manage Institute operations, including staff supervision and budget oversight
• Analyze and communicate first-destination and post-graduate outcomes data to demonstrate institutional impact
• Serve as the College’s primary ambassador for career development to internal and external audiences

Benefits

• health, dental, vision, HSA & FSA accounts, a TIAA 403(b) retirement account, and tuition remission and exchange for employees and dependents.
• life insurance, disability insurance, travel insurance, and accident insurance.
• 4-week vacation accrual
• 14.5 paid holidays per year

What This Job Offers

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