Assistant Director, Career Development

Job Description Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues. About Rice Boasting a 300-acre, tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice maintains a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and features a distinctive residential college system that supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally. Developing close‑knit, diverse campus communities is a foundational campus tradition, earning Rice top marks for quality of life and value among private research institutions. Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. These values guide our decisions and behaviors, shaping Rice’s culture. They are reflected in how we treat each other and in the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence. Position Summary Under general direction, the Assistant Director of Career Development delivers individual and group career coaching, designs and teaches contemporary career readiness curricula, and orchestrates impactful campus outreach. This position serves as a member of a collaborative, high‑impact career development team and as a school liaison for the School of Engineering and Computing, in addition to designated industry career communities, building structural bridges between academic exploration and real‑world professional environments. Why This Role Matters As the Center for Career Development (CCD) advances a comprehensive career ecosystem model across campus, the Assistant Director serves as a vital champion of student career readiness. This role goes beyond traditional transactional milestones to help students actively design their professional futures and launch successfully into the global workforce. The Assistant Director directly impacts the upward mobility of an exceptionally bright, diverse student body by facilitating and creating innovative career curricula and building authentic, high‑trust relationships. This is a visible opportunity to practice equity‑forward, student‑centered career education at an elite global university. Student Population Served Total Student Footprint: ~9,000+ undergraduate and graduate students. Socioeconomic Diversity: ~20% Pell Grant‑eligible domestic undergraduates. Generational Impact: ~18–20% first‑generation college students. Global Reach: Representation from nearly 100 countries. Professional Growth and Development Rice University is committed to the growth and development of its staff. This role offers opportunities for: Leadership development and cross‑campus collaboration Professional association involvement Visibility with senior leaders and external partners Ideal Candidate Profile The successful candidate is an innovative educator, an agile relationship builder, and a data‑informed practitioner dedicated to ensuring equitable access to high‑impact career opportunities for all students and alumni. They are collaborative relationship builders who communicate effectively with students, alumni, faculty, staff, parents, and employers, and they are energized by fast‑paced, student‑centered environments. Workplace Requirements This position is currently offered as a hybrid full‑time role, combining both in‑office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Regular office hours are Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 5 PM, and require occasional evening or weekend hours, depending on the needs of the office. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change. Hiring Range Salary: $65,000 – $72,000 annually, dependent upon qualifications and experience. Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime. Relocation assistance may be provided. Minimum Requirements Bachelor’s degree. 2+ years of professional experience within university career services, talent development, recruiting, workforce development, student success, advising, or a closely related, people‑facing consultative role. Core Competencies Evidence‑based individual and group career counseling Strong facilitation, presentation, and communication skills Ability to build trust and rapport across diverse student, alumni, employer, faculty, staff, and family audiences Demonstrated independence, initiative, and an active, student‑first mindset Foundational knowledge of labor market dynamics, occupational tracking, and structured coaching frameworks Strong project management, organizational, and analytical skills Proficiency with modern productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, collaborative virtual platforms) Preferences Education: Master’s degree in Counseling, Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Human Resource Development, or a related behavioral science field. Experience Context: Prior experience operating within a fast‑paced, high‑performing university career ecosystem, with a proven track record of serving diverse student bodies. Framework Familiarity: Nationally recognized career readiness frameworks (e.g., NACE Career Readiness Competencies, High‑Impact Practices). Systems Literacy: Hands‑on experience administering and interpreting standard career assessments and navigating specialized campus talent management platforms (e.g., Handshake, 12twenty, Symplicity). AI Integration Upskilling: Prior experience teaching students how to ethically navigate AI‑driven Applicant Tracking Systems, optimize profiles for digital algorithmic screening, and utilize generative tools for mock interviews. Core Competencies and Skills (again): Evidence‑based career counseling, including the use of career assessments (e.g., MBTI, Strong Interest Inventory, Focus2). Advanced oral, written, and presentation skills; high relational intelligence and demonstrated diplomacy across diverse populations. Knowledge of labor market trends, hiring practices, and equity‑focused advising models. Essential Functions Three Pillars of Excellence I. Ecosystem Integration and School Liaisonship Strategic Management: Act as a core point‑of‑contact and subject matter expert as a school liaison for the School of Engineering and Computing in addition to designated industry career communities, maintaining an active pulse on specialized industry landscapes, salary trends, and hiring practices. Stakeholder Engagement: Cultivate robust, collaborative relationships across diverse university audiences, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, employers, and parent networks, to expand the university's career ecosystem. Campus Representation: Represent the CCD on internal university committees, working groups, and task forces, serving as a proactive advocate for student career readiness. II. Program Innovation and Equity‑Minded Curriculum Design Curriculum Development: Conceptualize, deliver, and continuously optimize modern career workshops, credit‑bearing courses, and educational resources utilizing contemporary methodologies. Inclusive Programming: Design and implement equitable, scalable career initiatives tailored to support specialized student populations. Student Leadership and Mentorship: Provide direct operational oversight, mentorship, and training to assigned CCD peer cohorts, which may include the Peer Career Advisor Group, Graduate Student Association liaisons, or student workers. Cross‑Functional Educational Advocacy: Conduct educational and informational sessions for university faculty and staff to promote a shared institutional responsibility for embedding career readiness across the curriculum. III. Data‑Driven Advising and Continuous Improvement Evidence‑Based Coaching: Guide students and recent alumni through holistic internship, employment, and graduate school exploration using structured coaching frameworks and career assessment tools (e.g., MBTI, Strong Interest Inventory, Focus2). Analytics and Reporting: Utilize career management software and student information platforms to track student engagement, analyze intervention outcomes, and produce qualitative and quantitative progress reports for department leadership. Digital Resource Curation: Develop and update high‑quality digital, print, and social media career resources, ensuring they remain accessible, engaging, and reflective of modern job search strategies, including responsible AI applications in hiring. Best Practice Research: Monitor, benchmark, and report on emerging national trends in career services and student development to maintain leading‑edge operational standards. Additional Functions Event and Peak‑Period Mobilization: Collaborate with the Employer Engagement Team to provide essential operational support during major recruitment events, such as biannual Career Expos and Career Nights. Leadership Support: Support the CCD colleagues on special strategic projects or fill operational gaps during peak workflow constraints. Flexible Schedule Execution: Commit to occasional evening or weekend hours as required to successfully execute high‑profile networking events, panels, and programs. Institutional Ambassadorship: Serve as an exemplary representative of Rice University, exercising exceptional diplomacy, courtesy, tact, and discretion in all internal and public‑facing interactions. Perform all other duties as assigned. Rice University HR Benefits Rice University HR | Benefits: Rice Mission and Values Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at View email address on click.appcast.io for support. If you have any additional questions, please email us at View email address on click.appcast.io. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University. #J-18808-Ljbffr