Director of Career, Internship and Student Employment Services

General Statement

The Director of Career & Internship Services will be a visionary leader responsible for providing strategic direction, innovative programming, and effective management to support the career development and employment success of students and alumni.

As a key member of the AYCSS Leadership Team, the Director will collaborate with various stakeholders to enhance the career readiness of students, foster partnerships with employers, and advance the university’s mission of academic excellence and student success.

Duties and Responsibilities Leadership and Strategic Planning :

• Develop and implement a comprehensive plan aligned with the university’s goals and priorities (MSU Strategic Plan : Choosing Promise) to enhance stakeholder outcomes.
• Provide visionary leadership to the CISES staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, labor market data, and best practices in career development to inform strategic decision-making.

Program Development and Implementation :

• Oversee the development, implementation, and assessment of career development programs, workshops, and events that meet the diverse needs of students and alumni.
• Expand and enhance career exploration resources, internship opportunities, and experiential learning initiatives to support students in making informed career decisions.
• Collaborate with academic departments and faculty to integrate career readiness competencies into the curriculum.

Employer Engagement and Partnerships :

• Cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships with employers, industry organizations, and alumni to create internship, job, and networking opportunities for students and graduates.
• Develop employer outreach strategies to expand the university’s employer network regionally, nationally, and internationally.
• Collaborate with university advancement efforts through the MSU Alumni Foundation and the VP Research & Economic Development to secure funding and sponsorships for career development initiatives.
• Provide logistical and operational direction and support of programs and events (to include event promotion, logistics, set-up, managing webpage, .

Events includes several career fairs in both Fall and Spring for student employment, internships, full time employment.

• Oversee the management of the Gold Standard Program designed to support student on-campus employment and leadership development.
• Support Careers in Quantum, National Lab Engagement and other special growth-industry efforts which actively support both student and industry partner interests.
• Maintain a flexible schedule to host events and interact with students during evening and occasional weekend hours.

Student Support and Advising :

• Actively lead and leverage design thinking / career development models and practices in CISES services.
• Strategically infuse career education into the student decisioning process particularly surrounding major selection and establishing a sense of purpose and belonging for MSU students.
• Provide leadership and direction for career advising services, including career education, resume reviews, mock interviews, and job search strategies.
• Support current and new efforts to advance student career management including but not limited to : Margaret Alderson Etiquette Dinner, Bobcat Mentoring, Executive Closet, NACE Competency and Professional Skills Workshops
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality, individualized career counseling and coaching lto students at all stages of their academic and professional journey.
• Possess extensive knowledge on career development, and design thinking theories and strategies.
• Implement initiatives to support the career development and employment outcomes of underrepresented student populations.
• Possess the capacity to teach classes, develop new coursework and make compelling public presentations.

Data Management and Assessment :

• Establish data-driven processes for tracking and analyzing student career outcomes, internship placements, and employer engagement metrics.
• Use assessment data to continuously evaluate and improve the effectiveness of career programs and services.
• Prepare reports and presentations for university stakeholders and accreditation agencies as needed.

Revenue Generation and Resource Allocation :

In addition to budget management, identify opportunities for securing additional funding through grants, sponsorships, and other revenue streams.

Required Qualifications Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Master’s degree in counseling, higher education administration, business administration, or a related field, or, an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in career services, higher education administration, or a related field.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, with a track record of strategic planning, team building, and stakeholder engagement.
• Knowledge of career development theories, counseling techniques, and assessment tools.
• Strong understanding of labor market trends, employer expectations, and industry demands.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and build effective partnerships.
• Experience with data analysis and assessment methods to measure program effectiveness and outcomes.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with experience serving diverse student populations.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a complex, centralized university environment serving multiple constituents (students, faculty, staff, parents, employers, .
• Familiarity with technology platforms and tools used in career services (., Handshake, Symplicity, career assessment instruments).

The Director of CISES will play a critical role in shaping the future success of Montana State University students and alumni, counseling and empowering mindset to help them to thrive in their chosen career paths and contribute meaningfully to their communities and industries.

Preferred Qualifications Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Doctorate preferred in counseling, higher education administration, business administration, or a related field.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Practice clear communication and build strong relationships with employer and campus partners in order to facilitate employer relations and student career outcomes at MSU.
• Have the ability to represent the office in a professional manner.
• Commitment to driving outcomes for diversity, equity and inclusion efforts as part of MSU’s strategic plan.
• Possess a willingness and desire to engage in learning.
• Possess the ability to troubleshoot problems and have candid conversations.
• Possess the ability to be a team member and work cooperatively, and with respect, alongside fellow teammates in pursuit of a common goal.
• Be a self-starter.
• Possess superb organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Have experience working successfully in a team-oriented environment with a wide range of key constituents both internal and external to the organization.
• Possess sound decision-making skills.
• Possess an enthusiastic approach and a high level of integrity.
• Have proficient knowledge of and experience using personal computers.

Position Special Requirements / Additional Information This position will require occasional scheduled evening and potential weekend hours to host events and interact with students.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job.

Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations.

The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. This position has supervisory duties? Yes