Director of Career Services

| THE ROLE

The Director of Career Services provides the strategic plan, vision, and direction for the Office of Career Services which supports Columbia College’s commitment to experiential learning and workforce readiness. Under the supervision of the Dean of Library, Learning, & Student Success, the Director of Career Services is responsible for expanding community relationships and partnerships to foster student employment opportunities that are scalable and innovative. The Director leads career services in best practices in using AI tools and platforms to prepare students on how to use AI in the workplace and uses data-informed practices to support student success outcomes and strengthen relationships with employers, community partners, university partners, and alumni. This is an administrative position requiring a visionary thinker with strong people skills, organizational acumen, and knowledge of higher education career ecosystems.

| ABOUT COLUMBIA COLLEGE

Founded in 1854, Columbia College is a private liberal arts institution in Columbia, South Carolina. The College offers undergraduate, graduate, and online programs that combine a liberal arts foundation with career-focused preparation. Small classes, close faculty mentorship, and personal attention support students as they prepare for lives of purpose, responsibility, and impact.

The College's strategic framework, On the Rise: A Plan for Growth and Impact, guides progress through the end of the decade. Its priorities include the student experience, facilities, academic innovation, enrollment, operational excellence, and financial strength.

| ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Leadership and Strategic Planning

• Lead the vision for a comprehensive integrated career and workforce readiness program at Columbia College.
• Establish a career service experiential learning framework that supports student success and retention.
• Expand community relationships and partnerships to foster employment for undergraduate, graduate students, and alumni with local, state, regional, and international organizations.
• Provide a strategic leadership design and implementation that prepares undergraduate and graduate students for using AI tools and platforms in the workplace.
• Represent Columbia College at internal and external partnerships, networking opportunities, and professional associations related to developing and maintaining comprehensive career services and workforce development.

Administration and Operations

• Manage the daily operations of career services that include career advising, job placements, student employment, career programming, and developing modules for career resources for undergraduate, graduate students, and alumni.
• Supervise Office of Career Services personnel, student workers, and peer mentors.
• Manage the student employment process in partnership with Finance, Financial Aid, Human Resources, and Student Success.
• Manage on-campus and off-campus career programming, workshops, and training to students, alumni, faculty, and employers.
• Manage the planning and implementation of career services events (career fairs, etc.) and support campus events such as campus orientations.
• Manage campus visitors and vendors for on and off campus events, programs, and presentations.
• Manage career services budget and work with the Office of Advancement to actively seek external funds to support career development.
• Develop and maintain an operations manual.

Career Services Advising and Resource

• Plan and implement experiential learning programs and career readiness pathways across all disciplines in collaboration with campus leadership, faculty, and staff.
• Provide guidance, consultation, supervision, and training for academic and career advisors who provide career development services to students.
• Provide career advising to undergraduate and graduate students (day and online) and alumni with career planning, job searches and internships, interview preparation, resume support, creating a social media profile, and graduate school application guidance.
• Provide career development services to students across all disciplines and academic levels.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and mentor student peer advisors and student employees to provide peer support for career services.
• Support and expand experiential learning opportunities for students and the preparation and implementation of experiential learning for students, faculty, and staff.

Assessment and Tracking

• Lead assessment, analysis, and continuous improvement of career services programs, services, and outcomes. Oversee data management, reporting, and compliance.
• Lead assessment strategy to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of career services on career advising, student employment, student engagement, employer satisfaction, etc.
• Ensure career services practices and assessment align with practices that support divisional and institutional reporting needs and learning outcomes and align with NACE standards.
• Track and provide assessment reports for employment and workforce trends, especially in AI.

Additional Responsibilities

• Lead expectations for innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement for career services.
• Provide regular feedback, coaching, and performance management for career services personnel and student workers.
• Develop and manage office communications, online/social media presence, and webpage.
• Research, propose, and implement career-related technologies and resources and manage online career management systems
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of career services functions, services, and NACE professional standards
• Knowledge of counseling, coaching, or advising strategies for individual students
• Knowledge of national trends and issues in the career services field
• Excellent written and communication skills, including presentational skills; strong marketing skills
• Excellent computer skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to relate effectively to faculty, students and employers
• Ability to deliver effective presentations
• Ability to coordinate special career-related events

• Master’s degree in a related field
• Three years (minimum) progressive experience in career services
• Two years (minimum) career service leadership experience or commensurate experience in a closely related field with two years of managerial experience

• Master Career Development Professional (MCDP), Master Career Counselor (MCC), and/or National Certified Counselor (NCC) certifications preferred.
• Five or more years of experience in higher education

Columbia College is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. Columbia College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, identity sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, national origin, results of genetic testing, or service in the military.