Position Information

Summary:

The Assistant Director, Graduate Career Development plays a critical role in supporting graduate students and alumni as they navigate their career paths within the business sector. The ideal candidate will provide personalized coaching, strategic career planning, and proactive job search support tailored to business disciplines for graduate business students including residential and online specialty masters and MBA. Responsibilities include delivering one-on-one coaching sessions, developing career resources, and facilitating workshops and curricular engagements on professional development and industry-specific skills. This role requires a strong understanding of career coaching, business and executive coaching, as well as the ability to effectively guide students in achieving their professional goals. Associate Director, Graduate Career Development will work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and external partners to ensure students are well-prepared to enter the competitive business workforce upon graduation.

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Career Advising & Coaching:

Provide comprehensive career advising to students and alumni within assigned population.

• Understand Student Needs and Goals: Conduct individual coaching appts to understand career interests, skills, strengths, and aspirations. Use assessment tools and career exploration exercises to help students identify their career goals and develop a personalized career plan. Empower students to explore careers, develop effective search strategies, and be able to articulate their value proposition aligned with career goals and workplace needs. Partner with student clubs and faculty to understand career coaching needs of various populations. Provide services (coaching, workshops etc) in variety of modalities (in person, remote, hybrid) to effectively support needs of varying populations. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of adult learners, career transitions and globally seasoned veterans.

• Provide Career Guidance: Provide personalized one-on-one coaching to graduate business students, as well as alumni. Address domestic and international students’ questions, concerns, and career related challenges. Offer career action teams and other programming as needed. Provide market-relevant, graduate focused guidance on resume, cover letters, job search strategies, networking, personal branding, behavioral and case interviewing skills, job negotiation, and more. Coach students to effectively articulate the value of their Kogod education and build connections between their academic and co-curricular activities and their career path. Administer and interpret career assessments with students as needed. Leverage industry-specific knowledge to help students position themselves for internship and full-time job obtainment.

2. Community Engagement & Programming:

Design and deliver workshops, seminars and events that enhance students' understanding of career pathways related to their academic studies and career goals.   

• Leverage Classroom and Curricular Touchpoints: Lead orientation, practicum, and immersion sessions. Collaborate with partners for job and internship fair prep, international student programming, treks, and additional programs as needed. Provide targeted support through current and upcoming courses to prepare students for career success. Collaborate with faculty to align career development programs with classroom curriculum across disciplines. Serve as an information resource on career-related topics related to assigned areas for students, faculty, employers, and Career Center colleagues. Present career related information to classes to encourage engagement and preparation. Presentations may take place in workshops, classrooms, online, and other settings, including nights and occasional weekends.  

• Facilitate Market Relevant Preparation: Enhance student’s professional skills and readiness for the workforce via programming – partnering with alumni, student clubs, and employers whenever possible. Provide targeted support and programming to meet the needs of specific populations. Accompany students to industry/affinity conferences. 

• Provide Access to Resources and Tools: Guide students in accessing customized online resources, databases, and job boards for career exploration, job search, and company research. Offer customized resources for international students and other populations. Provide guidance on utilizing career management platforms, networking events, and alumni networks to expand students’ professional connections. Create and update personalized templates and resources.  

3. Outcomes, Records, Other Duties:

• Evaluate and Assess Progress: Track students’ career development progress through individual meetings, courses, and programmatic offerings. Collect feedback from students on the effectiveness of career services programming and adjust offerings based on their needs and preferences. Maintain accurate notes on coaching appointments and interactions. Collaborate with data team to collect and track student outcomes and maintain knowledge of applicable reporting standards. 

• Collaborate with Others: Partner effectively with faculty members, academic advisors, alumni relations, employer relations team, KIP, Student Development, ProComms and others to provide comprehensive support to students. Continue to establish office as Kogod’s experts for career development and market readiness.  

• Stay Informed: Stay updated on industry trends, best practices in career coaching, and developments in job market to provide relevant and timely guidance to students. Participate in professional development workshops, conferences, and training sessions, and implement new strategies or techniques learned.  

• Other duties as assigned: Facilitate special projects, serve on committees, etc. as needed. 

Competencies:

• Championing Customer Needs.

• Evaluating and Implementing Ideas.

• Developing Plans.

• Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions.

• Building and Supporting Teams. 

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Exempt.

• 9-5, M-F with some evening/weekend hours.

Travel Required:

• Position requires domestic and international travel.

Salary Range:

• $65,000 to $83,000 annually.

Required Education and Experience:

• Master's degree.

• 5-8 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Experience and Experience:

•  8-10 years of relevant experience.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

VALUES AND APPROACH:

Successful candidates in the role will demonstrate the following values and approach to work: 

• Team Orientation: Collaborate effectively and communicate transparently while welcoming diverse viewpoints. 

• Quality Focus: Consistently produce accurate and exceptional work in dynamic environment. 

• Initiative and Ingenuity: Generate innovative ways to create and implement ideas. 

• Continuous Learning: Maintain an optimistic outlook and adaptable approach to work. 

• Inclusive Leadership: Inspire and motivate others to meet goals while providing clarity and empathy. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: 

• Proficient communication skills. 

• Knowledge of career development theory and strong coaching or counseling skills. 

• Experience and knowledge of, or demonstrated interest in, business careers. 

• Counseling skills, program development skills, understanding of college student success, knowledge of career development services in higher education, ability to interpret career assessments. 

• An understanding of and appreciation for the needs and concerns of a diverse graduate student body and the needs of adult learners and career transitioners. 

• Career counseling/coaching experience.

• Master’s degree in business, education, counseling, student affairs, or related discipline.

 PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Broad understanding of the value of a business school education, particularly MBA and specialty master's programs. 

• Interest in working in a highly collaborative team environment. 

• Commitment to facilitating world-class graduate and alumni student learning and career development. 

• Coaching certification preferred.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

Other Details

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.

• Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.

• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• American University is an E-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.