Job Summary:

The Director will provide transformational leadership in all aspects of career and experiential learning, including support for students, faculty, alumni, and employers. Responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Career Services department, including budget, personnel, and programming. Work with state-wide government, public, and private industries to support CCRI’s goals for meeting high-wage, high-demand jobs and career-related experiential learning opportunities. Work with the manager of work-based learning and student affairs to assess, evaluate, and report on student and graduate placements in the workforce. Support the Dean of the Learning Commons in implementing the Guided Pathways framework through the college’s Academic and Career Pathways program.

Primarily located at Providence Campus with frequent travel to other campuses.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Commitment to CCRI’s Mission:

• Demonstrate a commitment to the philosophy and mission of a comprehensive community college.
• Work collaboratively with others in a diverse and inclusive environment

Leadership/Management Skills:

• In collaboration with the Dean of the Learning Commons, set vision for the department, lead strategic planning, and establish departmental policy and procedures in alignment with institutional mission.
• Serve as a member of the Learning Commons Leadership team and the Academic Affairs All-Staff team
• Effectively supervise and coordinate all Career Services staff, programs, and activities across all campus and off-campus locations (including virtual programming) to ensure the highest quality service to students, alumni, and businesses; as well as provide consistency of approach, message, and procedures for effective communications, teamwork, and customer service.
• Remain abreast of trends in career education, employment, the economy, and in affiliated business and industry.
• Focus on the use of data to evaluate all of the department’s programs, services, and operations.
• Use the latest technological strategies to improve all practices, policies, and procedures.
• Ensure that Career Services serves as a national model for community college best practices, fostering state and public/private industry partnerships related to career development, internships, work-based and service learning, and employer relations.
• Report to each academic department on their graduate job or internship placements reported
• Collect, report on, and present experiential education, employer engagement, and recent graduate jobs data

Student Support:

• Provide and maintain an effective career discovery and planning program for new students, recent graduates, and alumni, including administering career assessments, providing career resources and research materials, and direct career counseling and advising, across all campuses for all constituencies.
• Organize and deliver career fairs and professional development activities to ensure all students have access to career and internship opportunities.
• In collaboration with the English Department Chair, manage the Cooperative Work Education Seminar (LIBA 1000), including scheduling and the selection and training of college personnel and employers in the concepts, practices, and supervision of the internship program.
• Teach career planning and/or internship courses
• Contribute to the design and implementation of an effective experiential education program for students and alumni through internships, work-study jobs, and part-time employment opportunities.
• Provide and maintain an effective placement support program for students and alumni through preparation workshops, placement assistance, career events, online tools, and networking opportunities.
• Provide direct career counseling and/or career placement assistance as needed.

Partnership Development/Collaborations:

• Coordinate with other departments to identify and implement joint initiatives that would introduce new, career-related opportunities and benefits to students.
• Maintain healthy and productive relationships with all college and divisional departments, as well as with College faculty and staff.
• Regularly build and develop strong relations with academic deans and departments for the purposes of increasing communication regarding industry trends and the effectiveness of internship programs.
• Develop and maintain partnerships and relationships with business, industry, education, government, and non-profits for the purposes of keeping college programs current and vital, as well as networking to ensure maximum opportunities for CCRI students and alumni.

Department Operations:

• Manage the departmental budget.
• Submit to the Dean recommended goals, strategies, plans, reports, and budgets.
• Assist in the preparation and publication of the periodic reports and publications.
• Ensure that career information and resources are current and made available to the entire CCRI community as needed
• Other duties as may be assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• Master’s degree in higher education, counseling, adult education or similar program required.
• At least seven years’ experience in student work experience placement, student career counseling, teaching, or business training services.
• Must be well-versed in career development theory and recognized best professional practices
• Must have strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated proficiency in written and oral communications.
• Administrative, supervisory, and organizational skills with an ability to prioritize is required.
• Proven skills in marketing, collaboration, and teamwork.
• Demonstrated ability to network, advocate for work, and interface with various institutional and departmental constituents.

Preferred Requirements:

• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.