Sr. Assistant Director, Access to Career Pathways Initiative
Position Announcement
Sr. Assistant Director, Access to Career Pathways Initiative
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, seeks a dynamic team leader to serve as the Sr. Assistant Director, Access to Career Pathways Initiative within the Office of Career Exploration and Success.
Deadline to Apply: 11:59 pm on March 19, 2025
A Flagship University in an Inclusive State
Rutgers–New Brunswick is the flagship institution of a state that champions opportunity, innovation, and access to education. New Jersey fosters an environment where individuals from all backgrounds can succeed.
The state prioritizes affordability through initiatives like the College Promise program, which offers tuition-free community college and reduced tuition at four-year institutions, including the Garden State Guarantee for eligible third- and fourth-year students. New Jersey also promotes career-focused education through the New Jersey Partnership for Student Success.
To ensure access at all levels, the state has mandated K-12 curricula that incorporate inclusive perspectives, preparing students for success in a diverse world.
Rutgers builds on this commitment with the Scarlet Guarantee, covering full in-state tuition for eligible first- and second-year students. We also support students through Access Week, an annual event providing academic, social, and career resources.
If you're looking for a professional home where collaboration, creativity, and education drive impact, we welcome you to join us at Rutgers.
Institution Overview
Rutgers University-New Brunswick, the flagship campus of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a renowned academic institution that boasts a vibrant and diverse community of learners. With its enrollment numbers exceeding 43,000 students, Rutgers-New Brunswick offers a broad range of programs across its schools and colleges, providing students with ample opportunities for intellectual growth and personal development. The campus's rich history, state-of-the-art facilities, and distinguished faculty contribute to a dynamic learning environment that prepares students for success in their chosen fields and equips them with the skills necessary to thrive in an ever-changing world.
About Career Exploration and Success
Career Exploration and Success (CES) is committed to assisting students with making connections between their academic experience and career paths. We provide career-related advising, resources, and programs to help individuals discover their interests, values, and skills, explore careers and majors, develop skills through internships and experiential opportunities, and pursue their post-graduate goals. We build relationships with alumni, employers, and graduate schools to optimize internship, job, and career opportunities while also creating strategic partnerships with campus departments to assist students in developing and articulating co-curricular experiences that will help to ensure they are competitive in their future pursuits.
CES is comprised of four units, each with its own director who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of their unit, making hiring decisions, providing leadership to their unit, managing their unit's budget, solving challenges and celebrating wins, and making decisions aligned with overarching goals.
About the Career Discovery Unit
One of four units within the Office of Career Exploration and Success, the Career Discovery unit guides students through the early stages of their career journey. Its primary objective is to assist them in discovering their interests, skills, and values, while facilitating the exploration of potential career pathways to inform future decision-making. The unit consists of 11 full-time staff members and five graduate coordinators organized into three teams led by associate directors: the First-year Career Engagement Team, the Career Exploration Team, and the Career Pathways Team (associated with this role).
About the Career Pathways Team and Access to Career Pathways Initiative
Aligned with the Career Discovery Unit's mission, the Career Pathways Team directs its efforts toward empowering students to leverage their individuality as a strength. This entails guiding them through their career trajectories, facilitating mentor connections, and presenting them with employers that resonate with their values, inspiring students to delve into these connections proactively.
The Access to Career Pathways Initiative is dedicated to ensuring that all students have the support and resources needed to pursue meaningful careers without unnecessary barriers. Many students face challenges such as limited professional networks, financial constraints, and a lack of access to career-building experiences. Others may encounter obstacles related to hiring practices, workplace culture, or uncertainty about finding supportive professional environments. These factors can make it harder to secure internships, connect with mentors, or access opportunities that align with their goals. By fostering community outreach, building partnerships with employers, offering tailored career development programs, and expanding access to professional networks, this initiative equips students with the tools and support needed to navigate the job search with confidence and achieve long-term success.
About the Associate Director, Career Pathways
As Associate Director and direct supervisor, Stacey Kohler leads a portfolio of student career communities that offer tailored resources to Rutgers—New Brunswick's diverse student body. Her responsibilities include overseeing Career Advocacy and Professional Inclusion initiatives, the 4WARD Career Pathways Program for undergraduates, and the Graduate Student Career Pathways Program. She also provides direct support and resources to military-affiliated students, student-athletes, and international students. Before her promotion, Stacey managed the 4WARD Career Pathways Program as an Assistant Director. With nearly a decade of experience in career services, she excels at supporting students and fostering collaborative campus partnerships. Prior to joining Rutgers, Stacey worked in the public school system.
About the Director of Career Discovery
Sue Pye is the director of Career Discovery. Sue has decades of experience leading high-impact experiential education initiatives, working with campus partners to develop career curricula, and leading successful teams. Before Rutgers, she worked in career services at Seton Hall University and the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). She began her full-time career in higher education in residence life, working at Kean University, William Paterson University, and the College of Saint Elizabeth.
About the Executive Director
Sue Pye, Director of Career Discovery, reports to William (Wil) Jones, Executive Director of Career Exploration and Success. Wil was officially named Executive Director in 2021 by Rutgers University-New Brunswick Chancellor-Provost Francine Conway. Jones previously served in various roles within CES, including Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives, Senior Director, and interim Executive Director. At Rutgers, he co-founded the industry-centric career community approach to career development – which has become a national model – to diversify office offerings and help students think about their professional goals beyond the confines of their academic discipline. Before joining Rutgers, Wil oversaw various functions at the University of Maryland Career Center, including helping student leaders translate their experiences to the world of work by making connections to the skills employers sought.
Position Description
Reporting to the Associate Director for Career Pathways, the Senior Assistant Director will advance career equity by ensuring all students—particularly those seeking additional career exploration and preparation resources—have access to meaningful professional opportunities. The Senior Assistant Director will design and implement programs that empower students to leverage their unique experiences, perspectives, and strengths while connecting them with industry professionals, employers, and career mentors. Additionally, this role will serve as a key liaison to campus offices and organizations that support diverse student communities and oversee the Access to Career Pathways Initiative Community, which engages campus partners, employers, and student representatives to expand opportunities for students seeking inclusive and supportive work environments.
Management of Access to Career Pathways Initiative
The Senior Assistant Director will lead efforts to create career development programming that highlights students' diverse strengths, aspirations, and professional goals, ensuring they have the tools and connections to thrive in any industry. They will implement initiatives that help students explore career pathways, refine their skills, and build relationships with employers and mentors who value inclusive and dynamic workplaces. Through collaboration with campus partners, including those supporting student engagement and leadership development, the Senior Assistant Director will engage Access Career Pathway Fellows, who will assist in delivering programs that strengthen students’ confidence in their professional journeys. Additionally, they will coordinate a signature career event designed to connect students with industry leaders, facilitate a Friends of Rutgers virtual student-alumni mentoring program, and develop panel discussions and workshops on key career-related topics. These will include strategies for identifying values-aligned employers, navigating professional spaces with authenticity, advocating for personal and professional growth, and leveraging networks to access meaningful career opportunities. Programming will also focus on expanding students’ career readiness through mentorship, leadership development, and networking with employers who are committed to fostering inclusive workplaces. Furthermore, the Senior Assistant Director will develop initiatives that equip students with strategies to cultivate confidence, advocate for themselves in professional settings, and maximize their potential as future leaders.
Leadership and Community Engagement
The Senior Assistant Director will cultivate a vibrant career community that connects students with professionals, alumni, and employers who recognize the value of diverse experiences and perspectives. They will lead the Access to Career Pathways Initiative Community Advisory Board, which will provide insight into emerging career trends, employer engagement strategies, and mentorship opportunities. The advisory board will include faculty, staff, industry professionals, and student leaders committed to expanding pathways to success for all students. Additionally, the Senior Assistant Director will build strong relationships with campus partners, student organizations, and offices dedicated to leadership development, student engagement, and professional success, ensuring career readiness is seamlessly integrated into the student experience. They will also serve as the primary contact for career presentation requests from student organizations and other campus stakeholders who seek to enhance career development programming for their communities.
Career Advising:
The Senior Assistant Director will provide student-centered career advising that focuses on strengthening students’ professional confidence, refining their career narratives, and connecting them to career resources that align with their goals. Advising will emphasize leveraging students’ personal strengths, academic experiences, and leadership skills to maximize career opportunities. Students will receive tailored guidance on topics such as building professional networks, identifying workplace cultures that align with their values, crafting compelling resumes and cover letters, and successfully navigating interviews. The Senior Assistant Director will also identify and implement strategies to expand advising capacity through group advising within the community and individual career coaching, ensuring all students have access to the tools they need to launch meaningful careers.
Miscellaneous Responsibilities
The Senior Assistant Director will actively participate in meetings, professional development opportunities, and collaborative initiatives that advance the mission of Career Exploration and Success. They will also contribute to elevating Rutgers University’s reputation as a leader in equitable career development by presenting at industry conferences, engaging in professional communities, and supporting award nominations and recognition efforts. Additionally, they will support other career programs and initiatives as needed, ensuring all students have access to the networks, resources, and experiences that will prepare them for lifelong professional success.
Candidate Profile
To be considered for the assistant director position, candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Experience and Education: A bachelor’s degree and at least five (5) years of relevant experience in career services, workforce development, student success programming, or a related field; or a master’s degree with at least three (3) years of relevant experience in these areas. An equivalent combination of education and related experience may also be considered. A master’s degree is preferred. Experience within a career services or higher education setting.
- Skills and Competencies: With a strong student-focused orientation, this role requires experience in designing career programs and initiatives that help students navigate job search challenges, including building networks, researching employers, addressing hiring bias, and advocating for themselves professionally. The ability to make strategic decisions related to program development, employer engagement, and student success initiatives is essential. Expertise in public speaking, workshop facilitation, and advising is also necessary, along with the confidence to lead these efforts autonomously. Success in this role requires a self-motivated individual who can take initiative, adapt to change, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Flexible Work Arrangement Program
Rutgers is pleased to announce the extension of the FlexWork@RU Pilot Program through August 31, 2025. Full-time staff members within Career Exploration and Success are permitted to either a 4:1 compressed work week or up to two days per week of remote work.
The flexible work arrangements outlined in Rutgers Policy 60.3.22 are part of a pilot program that is effective September 1, 2022 and extended through August 31, 2025. Therefore, there is no guarantee that this flexible work arrangement will continue beyond that date. Flexible work arrangements are not permanent, are subject to change or cancellation and contingent on the employee receiving approval in the FlexWork@RU Application System. Additional information may be found at https://futureofwork.rutgers.edu.
Additionally, CES has implemented #FocusFriday, a department-wide practice where internal meetings between CES colleagues are discouraged every Friday. This dedicated time enables staff to concentrate on accomplishing their goals. Periodic meditation or mental health breaks throughout the day are also supported. To further support productivity, CES encourages the utilization of automated "Focus Blocks" through Microsoft Outlook. These automated blocks allow staff members to schedule designated periods of uninterrupted work time, further maximizing productivity and focus.
Benefits Program
Rutgers offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. For details, please go to http://uhr.rutgers.edu/benefits/benefits-overview.
Rutgers also offers a benefit program to eligible full-time postdoctoral fellow students. For details, please go to https://finance.rutgers.edu/healthcare-risk/insurance/postdoctoral-health-insurance.
Non-Discrimination Statement
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, or any other category covered by law in its admission, programs, activities, or employment matters. For additional information, please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement
Search Committee:
Sue Pye, spye@echo.rutgers.edu (Search Committee Chair)
Director, Career Discovery - Career Exploration and Success
Christine Anderson
Sr. Assistant Director, 4WARD Career Pathways Program - Career Exploration and Success
Keywuan Caulk
Director - Center for Social Justice Education & LGBT Communities
Kathryn Lobo
Graduate Coordinator, Career Pathways - Career Exploration and Success
Olutosin (Tosin) Oladipo
Assistant Director, Industry & Campus Connections - Career Exploration and Success
Apply Today
Deadline to Apply: 11:59 pm on March 19, 2025