Director of Experiential Education & Post-grad. Success

The Director will provide the strategic leadership necessary to inspire, coordinate, and manage the efforts of the fourteen-member (nine full-time and five graduate coordinators) Experiential Education & Post-graduation Success Unit. This unit, comprising two teams led by associate directors to oversee Career Interest Communities and Career Readiness & Experiential Education, requires a dedicated leader capable of effectively delegating responsibilities, balancing multiple priorities, and driving the unit's vision. Their leadership will contribute to the smooth operations of the unit, and their active participation in strategic planning and decision-making will significantly shape the future direction of CES as a whole.

The director oversees a budget of approximately $21,000 (non-salary operating), $75,000 (non-RSSI student wages), and ~$865,000 in RSSI-related restricted operating funds.

The director is responsible for resources designed to help students pursue their post-graduation goals, including the mastering of contemporary job search strategies and graduate school admissions strategies. Through the supervision of the associate director of Career Interest Communities, the director will ensure that advising and programming are of high quality, resources meet the diverse career interests of students, campus partnerships are strengthened, and resources are adequately distributed.

The director will directly oversee the Management, Operations, Human Resources, and Finance career community and the Sales, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship career community. This includes convening a career community advisory board of faculty/staff, employers/alumni, student leaders, and CES industry engagement staff. The board will guide the administration of a limited number of community-specific programs, student-alumni mentoring activities, and virtual recruiting programs. Note that the Rutgers Business School and School of Management and Labor Relations have their own career office, so the career community responsibilities are primarily for students outside of those schools, although not exclusive to those schools. The incumbent will provide limited front-line advising services to students and recent alumni within their designated career communities and for the general student population.

They will also supervise a graduate coordinator that oversees the Peer Career Coaching program. The Peer Career Coaching program involves trained student peers providing guidance and support to their fellow students through appointments primarily for resume reviews, offer negotiation, and general support. It offers a relatable and empathetic perspective, creating a supportive environment for students to navigate their career development and gain practical insights from peers who have undergone similar experiences.

The director is responsible for helping students develop the skills and competencies that will make them more competitive through internships, co-ops, and other experiential learning and connecting students to the career readiness competencies needed to succeed. Through the supervision of the associate director of Career Readiness and Experiential Education, the director will provide senior leadership to the team that oversees high-impact experiential education programs, including the Rutgers Internship and Co-op Course (RICC), the Rutgers Summer Service Internship (RSSI) Program, the On-Campus Work Experience Network (OWN), and other workshops and programs focused on connecting student experiences to the career readiness competencies as well as build confidence in their ability to succeed in life's endeavors.

Collaboration is a key aspect of this role. The Director will facilitate and promote collaboration with other CES units, particularly industry- and student-facing units. This entails fostering partnerships that bridge the gap between students, campus partners, and potential employers. The director will also ensure their teams increase activity with campus partners and organize advisory boards, councils, meetings, and events to promote this endeavor. By actively engaging stakeholders, the director will contribute to the success and satisfaction of students accessing their portfolio of services.

The Director's role extends beyond the responsibilities listed above. They will be expected to actively participate in various meetings and professional development activities and take on other responsibilities as assigned. Additionally, they will be a champion for enhancing the Rutgers University brand within the field of career services. This will involve a range of activities, such as presenting at conferences, submitting nominations for awards, and participating in professional online communities like LinkedIn groups. Through these engagements, the director of Experiential Education & Post-graduation Success will promote the CES office and Rutgers University, effectively elevating its status and influence within the career services sector. This will require a level of dynamism, commitment, and involvement that extends the director's impact beyond the boundaries of the university.

To be considered for the director of Experiential Education & Post-graduation Success position, candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Experience: At least 5 years of experience in career services, experiential learning, workforce development, or similar fields. This should encompass experience in career advising, student development, relationship management, strategic planning, and team leadership.
2. Education: A master's degree in a related field.
3. Skills and Competencies: Candidates should demonstrate excellent networking abilities and be comfortable establishing and nurturing relationships with a variety of stakeholders. They must also be strategic and visionary thinkers, capable of setting goals, driving the vision of the unit and the CES office, and contributing to the overall strategy of the department.
4. Leadership: Proven ability to lead, inspire, and manage teams is essential. Candidates should have experience in supervising and developing staff, promoting teamwork and positive dynamics, and encouraging team members to have ownership and celebrate their outcomes. The director should be a troubleshooter and comfortable making independent decisions in line with the broader CES mission and goals. They should demonstrate motivational skills and be able to inspire their team to achieve the department's goals and objectives.

Preferred Qualifications: Prefers a minimum of three (3) years of leadership experience within career services.