Director of Career Services

The Director of Career Services serves as an architect of student career and vocational readiness at EMU in collaboration with key stakeholders across the university. Situated within academic affairs, this role bridges the gap between academic advising and professional preparation. The Director is focused on integrating career development into the student educational experience for both undergraduate and graduate students. The Director guides students from their first year through graduation, helping them explore majors, clarify their calling, and build the professional assets (resumes, interview skills) needed to succeed in the marketplace.

This position is responsible for building a data-informed culture that is core to Academic Affairs, utilizing assessment and outcomes data to drive strategic decision-making and continuous improvement. The coach also develops and supervises student employees who extend the reach and impact of career services across campus. This role works in close partnership with the members of Provost Council for a collaborative and integrated approach to student career development and career related experiential learning. This role includes the teaching of one class or maximum of 3SH annually as part of the job responsibilities.

Student Career Coaching:

• Provide one-on-one and group coaching to help students identify their strengths and interests using career self-assessments (e.g., Strong Interest Inventory, CliftonStrengths, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator).
• Guide students through major exploration and career path clarification to ensure academic alignment with professional goals.
• Review and critique professional documents, including resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and graduate school applications.
• Conduct mock interviews and provide feedback on professional presentation and communication.
• Prepare students to engage effectively with alumni mentors, employer partners, and internship opportunities

Faculty & Classroom Integration:

• Partner with faculty members to embed career readiness into the curriculum, ensuring equitable access to career preparation for all majors.
• Deliver guest lectures and presentations in classrooms on topics such as professional branding, job search strategies, networking, and the NACE Career Readiness Competencies (critical thinking, communication, teamwork, professionalism, leadership, equity and inclusion, career management, technology).
• Coordinate professional guest speakers for classes to connect academic theory with industry practice.
• Provide faculty with resources and consultation on integrating experiential learning and career exploration into course design (Career Related Experiential Learning).

Student Employee Development & Supervision:

• Recruit, train, and supervise student employees (e.g., peer career coaches, event assistants, social media coordinators, data collection assistants)
• Build student employee capacity to deliver peer-to-peer career coaching, workshop facilitation, marketing initiatives, and assessment support.
• Create structured professional development opportunities for student employees that enhance their own career readiness (including NACE competencies) while expanding office capacity.
• Delegate appropriate responsibilities to student staff to maximize impact and sustainability of programming.
• Foster a collaborative team culture that models EMU's values of service, justice, and community.

Assessment, Data & Continuous Improvement:

• Design and implement comprehensive assessment strategies to evaluate the effectiveness of career programming, student engagement, and post-graduation outcomes.
• Collect, analyze, and report on student participation metrics, satisfaction surveys, career readiness indicators (e.g., internship completion rates, experiential learning participation), and alignment with NACE Career Readiness Competencies.
• Administer and analyze First Destination Survey data in collaboration with Alumni Affairs and Institutional Research to track graduate employment, continuing education, and career outcomes within 6 months of graduation (and other increments).
• Use quantitative and qualitative data to inform strategic planning, identify gaps in service delivery, advocate for resources, and demonstrate return on investment.
• Develop dashboards and visual reports to communicate impact to leadership, faculty, and external stakeholders.
• Establish baseline metrics and set measurable goals for student engagement, satisfaction, and career outcomes.
• Regularly present data-driven insights and recommendations to the Provost, Deans, and President to guide decision-making and resource allocation.
• Set annual goals and prepare annual reports that document student outcomes, office goals and performance

Resource Development:

• Develop and curate career resources, including handouts, online tools, video tutorials, and regular newsletter to highlight opportunities and career tips.
• Maintain and update career-related content on EMU's website and student portal to ensure accessibility and relevance.
• Coordinate seamless referrals between internal coaching and external opportunities (e.g., ensuring students have polished resumes before attending employer networking events).
• Design programming that bridges internal skill-building with external relationship-building (e.g., alumni panels, employer site visits, career fairs).
• Leverage technology platforms (e.g., Navigate, Linkedin) to enhance student access to career tools and employer connections.

Mission Alignment:

• Support the mission of the EMU by promoting student achievement, professional growth, and equitable access to career development resources.
• Embed EMU's values of academic excellence, peace and justice and active faith into career coaching conversations and programming.
• Lead and manage a mid-scale NetVUE grant to completion

• Ability to interpret and analyze information for effective decision making.
• Ability to organize
• Attention to detail for accurately preparing and maintaining accurate records, correspondence, administer test, and coordinate information.
• Ability to demonstrate excellent problem-solving and conflict resolution skills, and the ability to deal effectively with a variety of situations and constituents.
• Ability to take initiative, set goals, prioritize and organize job tasks and workload in order to meet deadlines, ability to complete work in a timely manner and communicate progress routinely.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, critically, and creatively.
• Ability to use a PC and software such as, Microsoft Office and Google.
• Ability to operate commonly used office equipment such as a copy machine, fax, phone, etc.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally with a wide variety of constituents.
• Ability to build relationships that balance the multiple, varying, and sometimes conflicting interest of diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to maintain confidential information and materials.
• Demonstrated commitment to high standards of customer service.
• Ability to frequently work hours outside of the normal work schedule, such as evenings and weekends.
• Strong interpersonal and active listening skills, with the ability to relate well to students across diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
• Proficiency in resume/cover letter review, LinkedIn optimization, and interview preparation.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills for classroom engagement, workshops, and training sessions.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and external partners across departments and divisions.
• Data literacy: Ability to collect, analyze, interpret, and communicate quantitative and qualitative data to inform decision-making and demonstrate impact.
• Assessment mindset: Commitment to continuous improvement through evidence-based practice and outcomes measurement.
• Supervisory skills: Ability to recruit, train, mentor, and manage student employees with clarity, care, and accountability.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, data visualization tools (e.g., Excel), and willingness to learn career services technologies (e.g., Handshake.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for reporting, marketing, and relationship-building.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently while maintaining a collaborative, team-oriented approach.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in Higher Education, Counseling, Student Personnel/Affairs, Career Development, or related field preferred.

Experience:

• Experience in career services, academic advising, coaching, counseling, or workforce development is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working with undergraduate students, graduate students and diverse populations.
• Experience supervising, training, or mentoring student employees or peer leaders is highly desirable.
• Experience with program assessment, data collection, outcomes tracking, and survey administration (e.g., First Destination Survey, NACE standards) preferred.
• Familiarity with career readiness frameworks, particularly the NACE Career Readiness Competencies, is a plus.

• Certification or training in career coaching (e.g., Global Career Development Facilitator, Certified Career Services Provider).
• Experience with survey design and administration, particularly First Destination Surveys or alumni outcomes tracking.
• Knowledge of labor market trends, regional workforce needs, and graduate school pathways.
• Experience working in small, mission-driven, or faith-based institutions.
• Engagement in NACE and other appropriate professional organizations

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Ability to travel locally for events, to EMU’s instructional sites as appropriate, employer visits, and professional development opportunities as needed.
• Must be available nights and weekends during particularly times within the academic year

Student employees

Why work at EMU?

At Eastern Mennonite University, we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to invest in your health, financial security, and future.  Eligible full-time employees enjoy robust medical, dental, and vision insurance with an employer-supported Health Savings Account (HSA), as well as employer-paid life insurance, and short-term and long-term disability plans.  We support your long-term goals with a 403(b) retirement plan featuring a generous employer match, alongside invaluable work-life balance perks including paid time off and vacation time, paid holidays, a confidential Employee Assistance Program, and a generous tuition remission benefit.

About Eastern Mennonite University

Eastern Mennonite University (http://www.emu.edu) is a private, faith-based, liberal arts university in Harrisonburg, Virginia known for academic excellence and affordability with a focus on service, social justice, and global engagement. With more than 1500 students studying at our main campus in Harrisonburg, Virginia; at our Lancaster, Pennsylvania instructional site; and online, EMU offers rigorous academic study at the undergraduate and graduate level.

EMU is committed to an inclusive and equitable campus community where everyone is treated with dignity and respect and can be their authentic self. Our goal is to remove the barriers that underrepresented and marginalized groups have frequently encountered in our society. We commit to address the structures that produce discrimination, racial injustice, gender inequities and other forms of oppression, and to fully include LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and other members of historically minoritized communities.

EMU encourages students, faculty and staff to live their faith and values through service to others, peacemaking, cross-cultural engagement and sustainability. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, EMU is committed to enhancing our community and encourages applications from qualified individuals with varied backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who would deepen the diversity of the University.