Sr. Assistant Director, Professional Development Programs

The Senior Assistant Director will lead career readiness initiatives that help students identify, articulate, and apply transferable skills gained through academic, co-curricular, and experiential learning experiences. They will oversee collaborations with campus experiential learning providers such as undergraduate research, study abroad, leadership development, service learning, and student organizations to ensure students can effectively translate their experiences into professional opportunities.

They will manage the Student Organization Career Readiness Initiative, working with colleagues in Student Affairs to embed professional development into student leadership training and events. This includes leading the Student Organization Reception and Employer Networking Dinner (SOREND) signature event planning committee and coordinating student organization career readiness presentations in partnership with CES graduate coordinators and student colleagues from across the department.

This role will also oversee the development of lesson plans, curricula, and structured professional development content for CES presentations while managing a train-the-trainer program for CES staff, graduate coordinators, and student colleagues. Additionally, they will track student engagement and program impact to refine strategies for greater effectiveness.

The Senior Assistant Director will oversee career readiness initiatives for CES student colleagues, ensuring that their work experience enhances their professional skills and career preparedness. They will manage the CES World-of-Work (WOW) Program, which serves as the structured career readiness orientation for CES student colleagues during the summer, providing training and team-building opportunities that prepare them for their roles within CES. As a member of the CES Staff Engagement and Professional Development Committee, they will support additional semesterly recognition sessions, ensuring alignment with the Student Employee Enrichment (SEE) Program.

The Senior Assistant Director will provide direct career advising and coaching services to undergraduate students, focusing on career readiness competencies, transferable skills, and professional identity development. Advising will center on helping students recognize and articulate skills gained through academic coursework, leadership roles, and experiential learning opportunities. The Senior Assistant Director will also assist students in internship and job search strategies, resume and cover letter development, interview preparation, and networking skills.

This position will develop methods to expand advising capacity through both individual career coaching and group-based skill-building sessions, ensuring that more students have access to career exploration resources. They will collaborate with CES career advisors and campus partners to integrate transferable skills education into workshops, employer engagement events, and student organization programming.

The Senior Assistant Director will actively participate in CES team meetings, professional development opportunities, and strategic planning discussions to support the mission of Career Exploration and Success. They will contribute to Rutgers University’s leadership in career education by engaging in professional organizations, presenting at career services conferences, and supporting career readiness research and initiatives. Additionally, they will support other CES programs and initiatives as needed to ensure that students across all academic disciplines have access to career competency development and professional networking opportunities.

To be considered for the assistant director position, candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. 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, employer relations, or higher education setting.
2. Skills and Competencies: With a strong student-focused orientation, this role requires experience in designing career programs and initiatives that help students identify transferable skills, build professional competencies, and navigate career pathways. 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.