New River Community College
Director of Career and Professional Development, School of Professional Studies
New River Community College, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, 28245
Overview
Job Description Summary The School of Professional Studies (SPS) is seeking an entrepreneurial, student-centered leader for the Inaugural Director of Career and Professional Development. This is a transformative and foundational opportunity for a strategic and operational leader to join an exciting academic endeavor, establish the vision for career services, and serve as a thought leader in graduate career outcomes for adult learners. The director will design and implement a robust, market-responsive career ecosystem that leverages the resources, expertise, and networks of both SPS and Wake Forest University. This role defines and executes an innovative, outcomes-driven model that helps students translate their graduate studies into meaningful career impact—advancing in their current roles, pivoting into new fields, or achieving leadership positions that strengthen our communities and industries. Responsibilities
Essential Functions The Director will provide strategic and operational leadership in shaping comprehensive career support through the following core functions: Strategic Leadership & Innovation:
Develop and execute a comprehensive, data-driven career and professional development strategy that serves the full student lifecycle (exploration, employment, advancement, and pivots) for adult and graduate learners. Foster a culture of evidence-based innovation, ensuring services evolve to meet dynamic market and student needs.
Program Design & Delivery:
Design, curate, and integrate an innovative portfolio of scalable career services, including 1:1 coaching, asynchronous modules, and virtual programs. Seamlessly integrate career readiness into academic programs, collaborating closely with faculty and program leaders. Oversee mentoring programs and integrate career development into lifelong learning pathways for alumni.
Partnerships & Employer Engagement:
Cultivate and expand strategic relationships with industry partners, employers, alumni, and advisory boards to generate market-aligned programming, networking events, and job pathways. Partner effectively with the university\'s central career resources (OPCD) and other units to leverage the full university ecosystem.
Technology & Assessment:
Oversee the implementation and use of learning platforms, AI-driven tools, and emerging technologies to deliver flexible resources to online and hybrid students. Establish robust systems to measure and analyze career outcomes, service usage, and student feedback for continuous improvement and accountability.
Qualifications
Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Master’s degree in career development, counseling, business, HR, higher education, or a related field.
10+ years of progressive experience in career counseling, workforce development, or talent management, preferably in higher education.
Demonstrated success designing and delivering impactful career development programs and resources.
Strong individual and group coaching skills, with experience applying career assessments.
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively across a complex organization.
Familiarity with FERPA, NACE, and related professional standards.
Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Experience serving adult learners and online/hybrid students.
Proficiency with learning platforms, emerging technologies, and data analytics.
Experience designing dashboards and reporting systems to track career outcomes.
Additional Information
The School of Professional Studies The School of Professional Studies (SPS) is the newest school of Wake Forest University. SPS houses innovative graduate degree and non-degree programs, including certificates and other credentials, as well as relevant Executive Education courses, for working professionals. SPS focuses on developing accessible and market-relevant programs that build upon Wake Forest’s strengths and support the growth of Charlotte and the surrounding region. SPS is at the frontier of what’s next for Wake Forest University as the university expands into Charlotte with the opening of an Innovation District in partnership with Atrium Health. SPS aims to develop a new kind of leader by teaching in-demand skills and awarding sought-after credentials. Learn more about the School of Professional Studies at sps.wfu.edu. Charlotte, North Carolina Charlotte is the fifth fastest growing city in the U.S., with a large and diverse economy and a focus on finance and innovation. Time Type
Full time Note to Applicant
This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by their supervisor. Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment. Equal Opportunity
The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability, and military or veteran status. Accommodations for Applicants
If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact AskHR@wfu.edu or (336) 758-4700.
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Job Description Summary The School of Professional Studies (SPS) is seeking an entrepreneurial, student-centered leader for the Inaugural Director of Career and Professional Development. This is a transformative and foundational opportunity for a strategic and operational leader to join an exciting academic endeavor, establish the vision for career services, and serve as a thought leader in graduate career outcomes for adult learners. The director will design and implement a robust, market-responsive career ecosystem that leverages the resources, expertise, and networks of both SPS and Wake Forest University. This role defines and executes an innovative, outcomes-driven model that helps students translate their graduate studies into meaningful career impact—advancing in their current roles, pivoting into new fields, or achieving leadership positions that strengthen our communities and industries. Responsibilities
Essential Functions The Director will provide strategic and operational leadership in shaping comprehensive career support through the following core functions: Strategic Leadership & Innovation:
Develop and execute a comprehensive, data-driven career and professional development strategy that serves the full student lifecycle (exploration, employment, advancement, and pivots) for adult and graduate learners. Foster a culture of evidence-based innovation, ensuring services evolve to meet dynamic market and student needs.
Program Design & Delivery:
Design, curate, and integrate an innovative portfolio of scalable career services, including 1:1 coaching, asynchronous modules, and virtual programs. Seamlessly integrate career readiness into academic programs, collaborating closely with faculty and program leaders. Oversee mentoring programs and integrate career development into lifelong learning pathways for alumni.
Partnerships & Employer Engagement:
Cultivate and expand strategic relationships with industry partners, employers, alumni, and advisory boards to generate market-aligned programming, networking events, and job pathways. Partner effectively with the university\'s central career resources (OPCD) and other units to leverage the full university ecosystem.
Technology & Assessment:
Oversee the implementation and use of learning platforms, AI-driven tools, and emerging technologies to deliver flexible resources to online and hybrid students. Establish robust systems to measure and analyze career outcomes, service usage, and student feedback for continuous improvement and accountability.
Qualifications
Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Master’s degree in career development, counseling, business, HR, higher education, or a related field.
10+ years of progressive experience in career counseling, workforce development, or talent management, preferably in higher education.
Demonstrated success designing and delivering impactful career development programs and resources.
Strong individual and group coaching skills, with experience applying career assessments.
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively across a complex organization.
Familiarity with FERPA, NACE, and related professional standards.
Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Experience serving adult learners and online/hybrid students.
Proficiency with learning platforms, emerging technologies, and data analytics.
Experience designing dashboards and reporting systems to track career outcomes.
Additional Information
The School of Professional Studies The School of Professional Studies (SPS) is the newest school of Wake Forest University. SPS houses innovative graduate degree and non-degree programs, including certificates and other credentials, as well as relevant Executive Education courses, for working professionals. SPS focuses on developing accessible and market-relevant programs that build upon Wake Forest’s strengths and support the growth of Charlotte and the surrounding region. SPS is at the frontier of what’s next for Wake Forest University as the university expands into Charlotte with the opening of an Innovation District in partnership with Atrium Health. SPS aims to develop a new kind of leader by teaching in-demand skills and awarding sought-after credentials. Learn more about the School of Professional Studies at sps.wfu.edu. Charlotte, North Carolina Charlotte is the fifth fastest growing city in the U.S., with a large and diverse economy and a focus on finance and innovation. Time Type
Full time Note to Applicant
This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by their supervisor. Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment. Equal Opportunity
The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability, and military or veteran status. Accommodations for Applicants
If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact AskHR@wfu.edu or (336) 758-4700.
#J-18808-Ljbffr