Sr. Assistant Director, Career Success Strategy

The senior assistant director will oversee career programming designed to connect students with career pathways in their career community. This includes developing initiatives that help students explore industry roles, refine their professional skills, and build relationships with employers and alumni in relevant fields. They will lead and coordinate the efforts of CES staff within the career community, ensuring collaborative programming and employer engagement efforts between the Assistant Director of Industry to Campus Connections, Part-Time Industry Consultant, and Peer Career Educator. Additionally, they will oversee key initiatives such as field trips to employer sites, industry panels, and a funding program to support student organizations that host career-related programs. The Senior Assistant Director will develop and execute engagement strategies that bring together faculty, industry professionals, and student leaders to create a dynamic career community that fosters connections and career exploration. They will also serve as the primary contact for career presentation requests from student organizations, academic units, and campus stakeholders specifically within the career community, ensuring students receive targeted career programming and industry insights.

The senior assistant director will cultivate a vibrant career community that integrates students, alumni, faculty, employers, and campus partners to expand career exploration and professional development opportunities. They will lead their Career Community Advisory Board, which will provide insight into industry trends, employer engagement strategies, and student needs within the community. The advisory board will include faculty, staff, industry professionals, and student leaders who are committed to expanding career opportunities and experiential learning within the career community. Additionally, the Senior Assistant Director will convene and coordinate CES staff working within their Career Community, ensuring alignment across employer engagement, advising, and student programming efforts. They will serve as a key liaison to academic departments, student organizations, and professional associations that align with the career community, ensuring career programming is responsive to the needs of students and industry partners.

The senior assistant director will provide student-centered career advising that helps students develop the skills, experiences, and competencies needed to be competitive in their future career and academic pursuits. Advising will focus on helping students identify and secure field experiences, research opportunities, and internships that enhance their industry readiness while supporting their long-term professional and educational goals. Students will receive tailored guidance on building industry connections, gaining relevant hands-on experience, and successfully pursuing post-graduation pathways, including the job search process and graduate or professional school applications. Advising will also emphasize navigating competitive hiring and admissions processes, identifying key qualifications sought by employers and graduate programs, and developing strategies to maximize career readiness. The Senior Assistant Director will identify and implement approaches 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 achieve meaningful post-graduation outcomes.

In addition to overseeing the Career Community, the Senior Assistant Director will take on oversight of a specialty career program within Career Exploration and Success. Depending on departmental needs, this could include managing initiatives such as the Peer Career Educator Program, Industry Consultant Program, The Career Closet, campus partner engagement tracking data initiatives, or another signature resource. In this capacity, they will ensure the ongoing success and growth of the assigned program, integrating it into broader CES career success strategies, coordinating student engagement, and optimizing its impact on career development efforts.

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 contribute to elevating Rutgers University’s reputation as a leader in 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 to ensure all students have access to networks, resources, and experiences that will prepare them for lifelong professional success.

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

1. Experience and Education: The position requires a bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience, a master’s degree and three years of relevant experience, OR an equivalent combination of education and related experiences. A master's degree or higher is preferred. Experience within a career services, employer relations, or higher education setting, particularly supporting students in technology, engineering, and applied sciences is preferred. Experience working in the technology, engineering, and applied sciences sector is also preferred.
2. 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 professional networks, researching employers, applying to graduate programs, and securing industry-relevant experiences. 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.