Associate Director of Careers

The Associate Director of Career Services holds a senior leadership role within La Sierra University’s Career Services, reporting directly to the Director of Student Academic Support Services (SASS). This position provides strategic and administrative oversight of Career Services operations, ensuring the department runs effectively and aligns with institutional goals for student success. The Associate Director leads creative and policy initiatives, develops partnerships and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with employers and organizations, and oversees major career programming such as the Career EXPO and Job & Internship Fair. The role requires proactive engagement with campus departments, external partners, and community organizations, often outside of standard business hours.

Duties and Responsibilities

•       Provide strategic leadership and administrative oversight for all Career Services initiatives, including employer relations, internship development, and student career readiness programming.

•       Serve as a senior liaison between academic departments, local and regional employers, and community organizations to expand internship and employment opportunities for all academic disciplines.

•       Develop and sustain formal partnerships, including Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with employers, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.

•       Oversee the planning and execution of large-scale events such as the Career EXPO, Job & Internship Fair, and departmental workshops.

•       Collaborate with Assistant Director of Career Services, student employees, and interns, ensuring strong communication and alignment with the university's mission and SASS goals.

•       Attend city events, job fairs, and networking sessions outside regular business hours to promote La Sierra University and build new employment partnerships.

•       Prepare quarterly reports and presentations on Career Services performance, event outcomes, and student employment data.

•       Act as project manager for major initiatives across Career Services and coordinate with other campus departments to ensure integration with academic programs.

•       Conduct student career readiness workshops, resume and cover letter reviews, and mock interviews.

•       Develop annual budgets for Career Services programs, projects, and events to ensure efficient use of resources and alignment with departmental goals.

•       Lead the creation and implementation of new policies, programs, and career readiness initiatives based on workforce and higher education trends.

•       Represent the Career Services office on university committees, task forces, and at professional conferences.

•       Assist students through one-on-one career coaching, resume and cover letter reviews, mock interviews, and internship advising as needed.

•       Demonstrate strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with students, faculty, staff, and employers to foster a collaborative, student-centered, and service-oriented environment.  

Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:
• Master’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, Business, or related field.
• 2+ years of experience in career services, employer relations, or workforce development, with 1+ years of supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading employer partnerships, internship programs, and large-scale career events.
• Strong communication, leadership, and relationship management skills.

Language Ability:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Math Ability:
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills:
Intermediate computer and web skills. 

Supervisory Responsibilities:
None 

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

Additional  Demands:
Must be able to teach basic career development strategies. Ability to utilize online technology and a familiarity with social media. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to relate well to students, faculty, staff and employers. Strong oral and written communication as well as leadership skills. Outgoing personality with the ability to solve problems and make effective presentations to student groups. Attention to detail, follow-through and ability to multi-task. Ability to utilize good judgement in program-related decisions. Ability to present a professional persona to the on and off campus community. Ability to perform the job independently, but also able to work collaboratively in a supervised setting with specific job requirements. Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, for community events and career outreach. Ability to understand and uphold ethical responsibilities involved with confidential information. Ability to collect and analyze relevant data and keep detailed and accurate records.

Salary: $70,304, plus generous benefits.

• Comprehensive health coverage available
• Tuition Assistance (spouse & dependent eligibility)
• 10 Paid Holidays
• FSA, Pet Insurance, Legal Services, Identity Protection Services, and more!