Assistant Director, Careers Advancement

ESA Deputy Director - Direct Reports 2 Career Advancement serves a student population of approximately 7,000 arts and sciences undergraduate students, in addition to alumni who have graduated within the last five years. Career Advancement plays a vital role in ensuring our students’ success after graduation. Career Advancement offers innovative and comprehensive career development services with a focus on pre-professional preparation, experiential education, and opportunities. Through career advising, programs, and comprehensive resources, Career Advancement supports undergraduate students and alumni as they develop the skills necessary to manage their career development, while working with alumni and employers to provide students with meaningful opportunities. For more information, please visit the Career Advancement website at careeradvancement.uchicago.edu. The Assistant Director, Career Advancement will provide career advising for undergraduates, plan student career programs, and work with employers to create internship and job opportunities for students. This staff member will support students with a wide range of career interests and provide personalized advising to help students explore career paths, prepare job applications, and find networking contacts.

The Assistant Director will manage relationships with a portfolio of employer partners, which could potentially include organizations in the business, government, nonprofit, consulting, and corporate sectors. The Assistant Director will maintain strong partnerships with existing employers and seek to develop relationships with new organizations, all with a goal of creating jobs, internships, and networking opportunities for students.

In addition, this position will design, plan, and implement a series of student career events. These may include professional development workshops, career trek visits to employers, technical skill trainings, and career competitions. The Assistant Director will plan program content, recruit expert speakers, and market the events to students. This position will also support communications and student outcomes data tracking. These projects will include writing reports, presentations, program newsletters, and promotional materials. The ideal candidate is highly adaptable and thrives in a fast-paced environment.

• Serves as career adviser for a cohort of 1st – 4th year students in the undergraduate College.
• Engages in proactive communication and engagement to support career development and success in securing internships and full-time jobs.
• Communicates frequently with students to share opportunities and help them stay on track for success.
• Reviews student resumes and cover letters.
• Plans professional development workshops and skill trainings.
• Builds and manages strong relationships with employers.
• Creates internship opportunities for students in collaboration with employers.
• Organizes networking opportunities for students, including Career Trek visits to employers in cities throughout the U.S. and around the world.
• Tracks data on student engagement and reports on student outcomes.
• Provides regular status updates to departmental leadership team and other key stakeholders.
• Develops original content for Career Advancement communications, including memos, agendas, newsletters, web content, presentations, flyers, and general email outreach.
• Provides support for Career Advancement signature events.
• Provides best-in-class customer service to students, employers, faculty, alumni, and campus partners.
• Analyzes markets and trends as they relate to job searches. Assesses student feedback and evaluations and collaborates with other career services staff members, student organizations, or other staff to determine program offerings and innovations.
• Researches organizations that are hiring and partners with a wide variety of employers to ensure recruitment strategies meet their needs. Maintains contact with a portfolio of employers to serve as their dedicated Career Advancement liaison.
• Performs other related tasks as needed.

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field. Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

• Bachelor’s degree.

• Minimum of one year of professional experience.
• Background in project management, customer relations, and program administration.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Learn new software and computer systems, including Salesforce.
• Utilize Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other digital platform for meetings and events.
• Proficient in using graphic design tools is a plus.

• Outcomes-driven and action-oriented attitude.
• Multitask, meet deadlines, and work successfully and positively in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-starter who works proactively to solve complex problems.
• Deep commitment to customer service, strong interpersonal skills and a high level of professionalism when interacting with internal and external clients.
• Develop creative solutions in ambiguous situations and maintain an outcomes-driven and action-oriented attitude.
• Highly flexible, adaptable, and comfortable shifting priorities on short notice.
• Develop strong relationships with a wide variety of constituents, including employers and external partners like alumni and parents, students, faculty, staff, and senior leadership.
• Strong coaching or counseling skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills; strong interpersonal, quantitative, and networking skills.
• Develop and deliver presentations; communicate to large groups as well as one-on-one with students, senior management, faculty, and alumni.
• Problem-solving and reasoning, critical thinking and decision-making skills.
• Exemplary organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Handle sensitive matters with tact and discretion and maintain confidentiality.

• Work evening hours and weekends on an occasional basis, generally 1-2 days per month.
• Travel, generally two or three times per year.

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter/Statement of Interest (required)
• Three Professional References Contact Information (required)

Student Affairs & Services Individual Contributor 37.5 No No No Salary Exempt $87,550.00 - $113,300.00 Yes