Executive Director, Hameetman Career Center
Career Development Center
Summary
The Career Development Center at Occidental College is embarking on phase two of a multi-year strategic plan to establish itself as a national leader of career services among small, liberal arts institutions. The plan continues with a million dollar plus capital campaign to open the new Hameetman Career Center which will house Career Development, Pre-Health Advising and National Awards.
The duties and skills demanded of executive leadership in career services have expanded dramatically in the last decade. Under the supervision of the Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, the Executive Director will oversee a team of 7 current staff, with planned expansion for additional staff, as well as manage an increased budget that has grown significantly in the last three years. The Executive Director will lead the college into the next phase of its current strategic plan with a particular focus on enhancing external strategic partnerships with alumni and parents as well as broadening existing partnerships to provide a wide variety of options for students and graduates. The executive director must have the ability to translate the valuable skills gained from an Occidental liberal arts education to employers by engaging a wide variety of constituents including students, faculty, trustees, community and business leaders, and friends of the College.
To learn more about our center and our institution, please view our website at
Essential Functions
Oversee a team of seven staff, with a planned expansion ahead.
Serve as the primary liaison with trustees and key stakeholders such as alumni and parents. Develop relationships across the institution and externally in service of our current students and their employment goals.
Work closely with advancement office to engage potential donors to support the operations and programming of the Center.
Set the strategic agenda, extending the current strategic plan and expanding a plan for outreach.
Increase our students’ understanding about the many ways to embark on a successful career, and work with the team to create innovative programs to increase exposure to various career options.
Understand the unique challenges of working with students from diverse backgrounds, including first-generation and international students.
Develop metrics for employment success including working with the staff to continue the current alumni survey work and assure data is communicated to and interpreted for faculty, parents, employers, senior management and other parties desirous of utilizing the data.
Understand assessment and lead the assessment of results in the office, including understanding the current landscape for employment regionally and nationally so that we are serving our students in the best way possible.
Develop ongoing nationwide partnerships and employment opportunities, including establishing a new Career Services Advisory Board, creating opportunities to enhance career opportunities for students and alumni.
Skills and Requirements
A master’s degree in student development in higher education, business administration or related field is required.
The successful candidate must have significant knowledge of career development practices; demonstrated success in advancing employment prospects and programs ideally in a liberal arts setting and familiarity with the special needs of diverse groups of students, alumni, employers, and faculty. Superior communication and presentation skills are also required.
A minimum of eight years professional experience in a leadership role in career services, admissions, fundraising, professional services, human resources and/or recruiting isessential. The ideal candidate will demonstrate proven results in employment growth and success for undergraduate applicants in a college or university setting. Experience in managing small teams in a consensus-driven work setting; encouraging of advancement and growth for the team.
Knowledge of employment trends and career ambitions of millennial-aged students seeking an intellectual, non-vocational oriented liberal arts education
Experience in designing and developing successful career events that attract national employers seeking entry-level, liberal arts-trained hires.
Ability to enhance and expand a national network of professionals seeking entry-level hires
Outstanding communication skills; able to design a compelling narrative of the value of an Occidental education and the role of career services to any and all key stakeholders to the college.
Experience connecting and working with employers, major donors, and friends of the college to establish relationships that serve students is highly desired.
Comfortable allocating budget in the context of strategic planning.
Superior report writing abilities tailored to external stakeholders; experience grant-writing a plus.
To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to: