Director of Graduate Career Development - Military Veterans

Overview:

The Director of Graduate Career Development provides innovative and strategic leadership, program management, and daily operational oversight for the graduate coaching and career development programs (all MBA formats and specialty masters programs) at the Carlson Business Career Center (CBCC). This role is critical in ensuring Carlson graduates receive top-tier coaching and skills training, empowering them for professional success.

The Director will lead a high-performing career coaching team who serves as career experts to the populations they serve (FT MBA, PT MBA, OMBA, MSBA, MSMK, MHRIR, MSF, MSSCM, CEMBA, MAcc, MBT). The role requires both collaboration with internal leadership in the CBCC and with the MBA/MS programs office, ensuring students have access to meaningful career opportunities aligned with their goals. Partnership within the CBCC includes collaboration with the Sr. Associate Director of Operations and Director of Employer Development in ensuring Carlson is engaging with employers to maintain relationships aimed at increasing internship and employment opportunities that match our graduate students interests and goals. Additionally, the Director will take the lead on working cross-functionally with the MBA/MS ASSET Team, MS Program Directors, Enterprise Directors, and MBA/MS Admissions and Recruiting team. This collaboration ensures a unified approach to advising, prospective student engagement, and career services, enhancing the overall student experience.

The Director will lead the team of coaching in the collection, analysis, and reporting of program employment data and career coaching satisfaction, effectiveness, and engagement data for graduate students. Using this data, they will monitor and set coaching goals and performance metrics, ensuring that specialized and responsive career coaching services are delivered to all Carlson graduates. As a member of the CBCC leadership team, the Director will provide strategic input and direction for the office, contributing to long-term planning and ensuring that career development services align with the broader goals of the Carlson School.

Job Description:

Leadership/Supervision/Management (35%)

• Provide strategic leadership to best in class graduate career development function and team of direct and indirect reports. Leads managers on the team to evaluate team successes and implements continual improvement measures.
• Leads the alumni coaching arm of the CBCC, ensuring Carlson alumni are connected and supported with the career programming and career coaching services the office provides.
• Develop key metrics (including coaching reach, coaching satisfaction, student wellbeing etc) that capture the value and performance of the graduate coaching team, track and report metrics designated by school leadership and use to drive continuous improvement in the CBCC.
• In partnership with the Executive Director, create an annual strategy and monitor the team to ensure delivery of high- quality coaching leading to strong employment rates and salary outcomes balanced with satisfied and engaged students.
• Provide mentorship and coaching to full-time staff, student workers, and contract coaches ensuring that the CBCC is utilizing the most up-to-date training methods and making sure students are trained in the skills that employers are looking for.
• Develops coordinated team atmosphere and provides professional development and leadership to the graduate coaching, consistently identifying innovative and sustainable solutions.

Career Development and Programming Strategy (20%)

• Drive the innovation, development, and oversight of the graduate career development strategy, including: services and support meant to ensure engagement with both residential and working professional populations, early career students and experienced career students, and students seeking support in specific business function specializations.
• Oversee the career programming and coaching delivered to all Carlson alumni. Collaborate with the Alumni Relations team to ensure appropriate planning and marketing of offerings.
• In partnership with the Executive Director, oversee and participate in the pre-school career programming for incoming students, branded âœLaunchâ . This includes both summer pre-work and orientation programming.
• Provide leadership and development of cross-college strategic collaboration, communication, and partnership with the Director of Employer Development to ensure coaches and employers stay connected.
• Sets priorities for and oversees the development of a strategic plan for career coaching that provides students with exposure to career development and prepares students to compete in a variety of competitive industries.
• Manage and track the employment rates of the graduate population ensuring Carlson School students are connecting with internships, graduate programs, and full-time job opportunities.
• Provides regular assessment of all career development initiatives, workshops, and events, identifying key outcomes and modifies practices to improve efficiency and quality; coach staff and provide training as needed.
• Continually develops the team to maintain knowledge of business industries and functions; accompanies students on treks to employers, engage with appropriate alumni to educate and connect with students etc.

Operations (20%)

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the graduate student and alumni coaching team.
• In partnership with the Executive Director, develops and manages graduate student and alumni career development budget that includes career coaching support, career events,and career orientations.
• Maintain and strengthen systems, and ensure the collection of tracking of employment statistics across the Carlson graduate student population.
• Facilitates and promotes an environment that supports diversity, equity and inclusion, and demonstrates a commitment to student-centered outcomes for satisfaction in their career development.
• Collaborates with the CBCC leadership team to lead unit-wide strategic planning and student career success initiatives.
• Solicits and analyzes student feedback and evaluations (for coaching and workshops) that help strategize with the CBCC team, student organizations, the MS/MBA Program office and/or other Carlson teams to determine program offerings and innovations.
• Partners with the Sr. Associate Director of Operations and Events in the CBCC to help coordinate student support and marketing of important career programming events.
• Leverages learning technologies in designing and delivering career content to support students.
• Develops and implements marketing and outreach programs to promote career programs and services including both virtual and in-person events.

Career Coaching (25%)

• Manage coaching of 1 graduate program at the Carlson school. Provide personalized, effective, and targeted one-on-one coaching support.
• Build authentic and supportive relationships with students from diverse backgrounds and identities. Leverage these connections to holistically guide students through systemic barriers and support their career growth and success.
• Record detailed notes from student meetings to ensure open collaboration between coaches. All notes should be entered into the recruiting system within 48 hours of meeting with a student.
• Actively participate in the employment tracking and outreach process. Maintain regular contact with assigned students and attend tracking meetings, prepared to discuss the progress of students still seeking employment. Develop tailored strategies to help students achieve their career goals.

This is a hybrid job meaning some days will be spent in the office and some days will be spent working remotely.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• At least 10 years of work experience OR a master's degree plus at least eight years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Industry experience and/or knowledge of the business marketplaceâ"specifically, functions and industries of interest to Carlson students
• Experience working in a metric driven environment
• Experience building and development relationships across industries and sectors
• Full-time supervisory experience
• Experience working with graduate students