Executive Director of Career Services

Position Title: Executive Director of Career Services

Posting Number: S177P

Department: Career Services

Position Type: Staff
Job Description: Job Summary:
Oversee all aspects of Career Services by creating, administering, and promoting a comprehensive program of career exploration and development opportunities for students and graduates; coordinating a comprehensive employer relations program with companies, alumni and friends of the College to develop internship and employment opportunities. The Executive Director oversees all staff, resources, operations, programming, and strategic initiatives within the Career Services department and plays a key role in advancing the Colleges mission by preparing students for meaningful post-graduate success.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Program Development

• Create, administer, and continuously enhance a robust, comprehensive career development program.
• Develop and implement scalable, high-quality services for students, alumni, and employers.
• Design and evaluate career-related programming across all student cohorts (freshmen through seniors).
• Collaborate with key campus partners to support student recruitment, retention, and outcomes.

Employer and Alumni Engagement

• Manage and further develop a strategic employer relations program to cultivate internships and employment opportunities.
• Engage alumni, parents, and College supporters to enhance professional pathways for students.
• Coordinate annual networking and industry-focused events including, but not limited to, career fairs, alumni and parent meetups.
• Maintain and grow The Hub, Hillsdales alumni job board and networking platform.

Student and Alumni Services

• Provide direct coaching and career counseling for students and alumni.
• Oversee programming such as resume/CV review, mock interviews. job search strategies, LinkedIn optimization, and graduate school application support.
• Manage online tools and resources including job listings, assessments, and career guides.
• Launch and support pre-professional programs, including health professions, law school pathways, entrepreneurship initiatives, and internships.

Kehoe Family Initiative for Entrepreneurial Excellence

• Provide selected students with the practical and philosophical training to start businesses guided by the principles of free enterprise and virtuous civic engagement through management and further development of all aspects of KFIEE .

Assessment, Reporting, & Communication

• Track and report monthly, semesterly, and annual employment, internship, and graduate school placement data.
• Partner with academic leaders and institutional research on data-driven decisions for academic program assessments.
• Present reports and updates to the Vice President of Student Affairs.
• Oversee all internal and external marketing and public relations efforts, including social media, publications, and event promotion do drive engagement with services and events.

Operational Leadership

• Manage departmental budget and daily operations.
• Supervise all full-time and student staff within Career Services.
• Partner with new student-employee supervisors and coordinate legal compliance, including confidentiality agreements and required training.
• Manage Handshake, the HUB , and other platforms to promote both on-campus employment and career opportunities.
• Collaborate with HR to manage on-campus student employment.
• Collaborate with Institutional Technology to refine technical systems supporting the offices functions.

Special Initiatives & Events

• Plan and manage student graduation registration and attire pick-up, baccalaureate, and student/faculty procession/recession, collaborating with the Registrar, Chaplain, Security, Events, and Maintenance.
• Collaborate with Admissions regarding presentations on services and career outcomes to prospective families.
• Oversee political and legal pipelines including clerkship placement with the Vice President of the Kirby Center.

Required Qualifications: Education & Experience Requirements:

• Bachelors degree required; Masters degree preferred.
• Minimum three years in career services or a related field; experience in higher education preferred.
• Minimum three years of management experience leading staff and overseeing departmental functions.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, employer development, and student career coaching.

Other Skills: Preferred Skills & Competencies:

• Exceptional counseling, coaching, and mentoring abilities.
• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills across varied professional and social contexts.
• Strong writing, presentation, and public speaking skills.
• Proficient with relevant career services technology and social media tools.
• High level of organization, judgement, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Deep understanding of liberal arts education and its role in career success.
• Customer service orientation with commitment to high-quality support.
• Willingness to travel as needed.
• Proven ability to develop and conduct presentations to various audiences.
• Knowledge of best business practices.
• Ability to take initiative and advance the goals of the College while working in a fast-paced environment with deadlines.

Physical Demands: Personal Characteristics:
Career Services interacts with College faculty, staff, student, outside employers, an the entire Hillsdale audience. A clean and neat appearance and a pleasant demeanor that is supportive of the Colleges mission are essential. The ability to maintain strict confidentiality is necessary.

Mission and Code of Commitment:
The Executive Director of Career Services is expected to be a faithful representative of Hillsdale College, promoting the value of a liberal arts education, upholding the Colleges original Articles of Association, and adhering to the principles outlined in the Staff Code of Commitment. The Colleges Mission Statement should guide all decisions, strategies, and interactions. A commitment to the teaching of the Christian faith as a conspicuous aim of the College must be evident in the Executive Directors leadership, programming, and communication, reinforcing the distinctiveness of a Hillsdale education in both word and action.

Open Date: 07/22/2025
Open Until Filled: Yes
Supplemental Questions:

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk ( ).

Documents Needed To Apply (Required Documents & Optional Documents): Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents

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