Director, Office of Careers, Internships, and Achievement (CIA)

Lindenwood University • Saint Charles, MO

44d

About The Position

The Director of the Office for Careers, Internships, and Achievement provides leadership and strategic direction for Lindenwood’s comprehensive experiential learning ecosystem, which encompasses career development, internships, service learning, study abroad and high impact learning practices. This position supports program development and implementation, employer and community partnership cultivation, staff development, faculty collaboration, budget management, and continuous improvement—all based on assessment data and in alignment with Lindenwood’s commitment to Real Experience, Real Success through high-impact educational practices.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, business, or related field
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in career services, experiential learning or student affairs in higher education
• Knowledge of NACE policies and best practices
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures
• Proven ability to identify and coordinate meaningful internship experiences
• Proven ability to manage partnerships with employers, community organizations, and external stakeholders
• Knowledge of high impact educational and experiential learning best practices
• Knowledge of job market trends, recruitment strategies and employer expectations across industries
• Broad knowledge of academic courses and programs
• Broad knowledge of functions of Student Support Services
• Strong collaborative and customer service skills
• Confident spokesperson with excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with faculty, students, alumni, and staff
• Strong leadership and creative skills with proven ability to launch and support new initiatives
• Highly developed analytical, organizational skills, and project management skills
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously
• Ability to work effectively at a computer for up to eight hours daily
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time
• Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function

Responsibilities

• Ensures all department Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are created, regularly updated, and consistently used in onboarding and training to support accuracy, quality, and operational consistency
• Oversees the design and delivery of career planning workshops, career fairs, networking events, employer information sessions, and professional development programming
• Monitors, analyzes, and evaluates current scope of services across all CIA programs; plans and directs implementation of new initiatives in career development, internships, service learning, study abroad, and other high impact learning practices
• Cultivates and maintains strategic partnerships with employers, community organizations, study abroad providers, and government agencies
• Collaborates with faculty partners to integrate experiential learning into curricula; partners with the Learning Academy on educational development for high-impact practices aligned with the RISE framework
• Oversees and manages technology systems for career services, internship coordination, and program tracking; ensures data integrity and effective use of platforms
• Oversees the collection and interpretation of First Destination Survey Data and assessment of experiential learning outcomes
• Manages CIA operations including budget, marketing materials, web content, events coordination and administrative processes
• Supports the mission of the University and serves as an ambassador of the Q2 culture of service excellence
• Models, supports, and holds others accountable to the University’s values
• Establishes and advances compelling strategic vision for the CIA that aligns with Lindenwood’s mission, institutional priorities, and national best practices for experiential learning
• Establishes long- and short-term strategic goals based on assessment data, ensuring standards for the department and its field are met or exceeded
• Adapts leadership based on new information and/or data, utilizing effective strategies to build collaboration across divisions and with external partners
• Identifies emerging opportunities for innovation and program expansion; develops proposals and secures resources for new initiatives
• Oversees recruitment, interviewing, onboarding, and professional development for CIA strategists, student employees, and interns
• Implements cross-training initiatives to develop strategists’ expertise across multiple program areas, ensuring team flexibility and continuity of services
• Sets clear performance expectations and holds employees accountable; provides regular coaching and feedback
• Conducts thorough and timely performance evaluations based on evidence, observation, and feedback
• Mentors student employees; oversees all departmental operations, services, and resources
• Job may require other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Upon hire, employer-paid tuition benefits for bachelor’s (employee, spouse, and dependent) and master’s degree programs (employee and spouse only).
• Tuition discounts for doctoral programs (employee only).
• Comprehensive benefits plan: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, and retirement options.
• Paid holidays: MLK Jr. day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving break (Wednesday – Friday), and winter break (Dec. 23 – Jan. 1).
• Free lunch Fridays: LU employees are eligible for a free meal on Fridays at the Evans Commons Dining Hall or Spellman Dining Hall; Chick-fil-A and Qdoba included.
• Professional development opportunities through the Lindenwood Learning Academy

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees