About the role
Blue Cliff College is seeking a Director of Career & Student Services to provide leadership and oversight for student advising and retention, career services, community resource development, employer and industry relationships, and graduate employment initiatives.
This position plays an important role in supporting students from enrollment through graduation and into employment. The Director assists students and graduates with career planning, employment searches, resume development, interviewing skills, certification and licensure preparation, and other strategies designed to support successful transition into the workforce.
The Director also develops relationships with employers, community organizations, social service agencies, and industry partners to expand employment opportunities, strengthen student support resources, and increase awareness of the College within the communities it serves.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
* Provide leadership, organization, supervision, and evaluation of student and career services activities, including student advising, retention, career development, employer relations, and community outreach.
* Counsel students and graduates regarding career goals, employment searches, occupational opportunities, resume preparation, interviewing techniques, and professional development.
* Establish and maintain relationships with employers, healthcare organizations, salons, spas, agencies, schools, clinics, and other community and industry partners to develop employment, externship, and career opportunities.
* Conduct ongoing employer outreach and develop new employer relationships to support graduate employment outcomes.
* Assist students with academic preparation, certification and licensure processes, and career planning.
* Attend new student orientation and provide Student and Career Services advisement to incoming students.
* Develop and facilitate workshops on resume writing, interviewing, professional appearance, job-search strategies, and other career-readiness topics.
* Conduct classroom and seminar presentations related to career preparation and professional development.
* Monitor student retention and conduct outreach to students who may be at risk of withdrawal.
* Contact potential readmit students, schedule appointments, and support established student reentry and retention goals.
* Research and implement student support resources and initiatives designed to improve persistence and retention.
* Maintain a current directory of community resources to assist students with transportation, childcare, social services, and other needs that may affect their ability to remain in school.
* Track graduate employment, certification, licensure, and related outcomes and maintain accurate supporting documentation.
* Prepare and maintain required graduation, employment, and licensure reports and supporting records.
* Maintain ACCSC Graduation, Employment, and Licensure Charts and documentation in accordance with institutional and accreditation requirements.
* Meet regularly with Program Chairs and faculty to review graduation, employment, licensure, and student-support activities.
* Maintain contact with graduates as needed to obtain employment, certification, and licensure documentation.
* Organize and coordinate on-campus career fairs, employer events, mock interviews, field trips, professional presentations, and other career-development activities.
* Attend off-campus career fairs and community events to develop employer and community relationships.
* Coordinate employer surveys and other employer feedback initiatives.
* Research employment opportunities through employer websites, job boards, professional networks, and other appropriate resources.
* Coordinate opportunities for students and graduates to participate in interviews with prospective employers.
* Assist with student activities, graduation ceremonies, and other campus events.
* Manage and support the Student Ambassador program.
* Maintain Career and Student Services informational materials, bulletin boards, and student resources.
* Accurately document student, graduate, employer, and outreach activities in the College's student information system.
* Participate in campus committees and institutional initiatives as requested by the Campus Director or Director of Education.
* Maintain the confidentiality of student, graduate, employer, and institutional information.
* Support and enforce College policies and procedures.
* Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
* Bachelor's degree in counseling, higher education, business administration, human resources, or a related field preferred.
* Previous experience in career services, student services, student advising, workforce development, recruiting, or a related area preferred.
* Experience in a college, career school, or other postsecondary educational environment is preferred.
* Knowledge of career development, employment placement, student retention, and transition-to-work strategies.
* Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with employers, community organizations, students, graduates, faculty, and staff.
* Strong interpersonal, written, verbal, organizational, and customer-service skills.
* Strong follow-up skills with the ability to work toward established retention, employment, and student-service goals.
* Ability to organize career fairs, workshops, meetings, presentations, and other student or employer events.
* Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, maintain detailed records, and work with a high degree of accuracy.
* Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn student information, career services, and other technology systems.
* Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively in a student-focused environment.
* Professional judgment, discretion, and commitment to maintaining confidentiality. Schedule: Must be available to work some evenings and an occassional Saturday for special school events.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate is highly organized, personable, proactive, and comfortable building relationships both inside and outside the College. This individual should enjoy working directly with students and graduates while also developing strong employer and community partnerships.
Success in this role requires a balance of student advocacy, accountability, relationship-building, follow-through, and results-oriented career development.