Career Services Manager

Career Services Manager

The Career Services Manager is responsible for the leadership, supervision, and operational effectiveness of the Career Services Department. This position oversees Career Services Advisors and support staff, ensuring the delivery of high-quality career development, employer engagement, and graduate placement services.

The Career Services Manager is accountable for achieving departmental performance goals, monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs), strengthening employer partnerships, expanding employment opportunities for students and graduates, and ensuring compliance with institutional, accreditation, and regulatory requirements.

This position works collaboratively with academic leadership, student services, admissions, and external employers to support positive student employment outcomes and strengthen workforce connections aligned with the institution's programs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

I. Department Leadership and Staff Supervision

• Directly supervise Career Services Advisors and other departmental staff.
• Establish clear performance expectations, goals, and accountability measures for all team members.
• Monitor individual and departmental KPIs, including student engagement, employer outreach, job lead generation, placement activity, and graduate employment outcomes.
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings, coaching sessions, and performance evaluations.
• Develop and implement departmental processes, procedures, and best practices to improve operational efficiency and student outcomes.
• Provide training, mentoring, and professional development opportunities for Career Services staff.
• Ensure consistent delivery of career services across all academic programs and student populations.

II. Career Services Operations and Placement Performance

• Oversee the implementation of career development and placement services for students and graduates.
• Monitor graduate employment outcomes and placement activities to ensure institutional goals are achieved.
• Analyze placement trends and develop action plans to improve employment outcomes where needed.
• Ensure timely follow-up on student job searches, interviews, and employment opportunities.
• Review placement documentation and verification processes to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Collaborate with academic departments to identify program-specific employment opportunities and workforce needs.
• Maintain oversight of job lead generation activities and ensure sufficient employment opportunities are available for graduates.

III. Employer Partnerships and Workforce Development

• Develop and execute strategies to expand employer engagement and strengthen industry partnerships.
• Build and maintain relationships with employers, workforce agencies, professional associations, chambers of commerce, and community organizations.
• Identify and cultivate new employer partners that align with the institution's academic programs and workforce objectives.
• Establish pipelines for internships, externships, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities for students and graduates.
• Coordinate employer recruitment activities, including career fairs, employer information sessions, networking events, and on-campus recruiting.
• Collaborate with employers to understand workforce needs and promote graduates as qualified candidates.
• Maintain a strategic employer outreach plan and monitor partnership effectiveness through measurable outcomes.

IV. Career Development Programming

• Oversee the development and delivery of career readiness programming, workshops, and training initiatives.
• Ensure students receive support in rsum preparation, interviewing skills, professional communication, networking, and job search strategies.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of career development initiatives and implement improvements as needed.
• Support integration of career readiness competencies throughout the student experience.
• Participate in student orientation and institutional events as needed.

V. Data Management, Reporting, and Compliance

• Ensure accurate collection, maintenance, and reporting of placement-related data.
• Monitor data quality and compliance with institutional policies, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare regular reports on departmental performance, placement rates, employer engagement activities, and key operational metrics.
• Utilize data analytics to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
• Support accreditation reviews, audits, and reporting processes related to career services and graduate outcomes.
• Maintain appropriate documentation supporting graduate employment verification and placement reporting.

VI. Strategic Planning and Continuous Improvement

• Develop and implement annual departmental goals aligned with institutional objectives.
• Monitor labor market trends and emerging workforce needs to inform career services strategies.
• Recommend new initiatives, technologies, partnerships, and processes that improve student employment outcomes.
• Collaborate with institutional leadership to enhance graduate success and employer satisfaction.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts focused on increasing placement rates, employer engagement, and student participation.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of five years of experience in career services, workforce development, recruiting, talent acquisition, employer relations, higher education, student services, or a related field.
• Minimum of two years of supervisory or team leadership experience.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with employers and external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency with student information systems, CRM platforms, and Microsoft Office or Google Workspace applications.

Preferred

• Master's degree.
• Experience working in higher education, vocational education, or workforce development environments.
• Experience managing placement reporting and accreditation-related requirements.
• Familiarity with labor market data, workforce trends, and employer engagement strategies.
• Experience leading teams responsible for student success, career services, recruiting, or employment placement.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

The Career Services Manager is expected to monitor and improve departmental performance through measurable outcomes, including:

• Graduate placement rates.
• Employment verification completion rates.
• Student participation in career services activities.
• Employer outreach and engagement activity.
• New employer partnerships established.
• Active job leads generated.
• Employer satisfaction.
• Student and graduate satisfaction with career services.
• Timeliness and accuracy of placement reporting.
• Individual Career Services Advisor performance metrics.

Work Schedule

• Full-Time (40 hours per week)
• On-Site, Monday-Friday 9am-6pm
• Schedule may include occasional evening events to support employer engagement, career fairs, and student activities.

Benefits

Following a successful introductory period, SCIT offers the following benefits:

• Paid Sick Leave: 40 hours per calendar year.
• Paid Vacation: 40 hours in the first year; 80 hours annually from the second year onward, accrued each term.
• Paid Holidays: 8 paid holidays per calendar year.
• Health Insurance: PPO and HMO plan options with a portion of monthly premiums ($400/month) covered by SCIT.
• 401(k): Eligible to participate after one year of employment and 1,000 hours of service.

Southern California Institute of Technology