Career Development Manager

Position Title Career Development Manager Job Category Academic Staff Employment Type Regular Job Profile Career Development Manager Job Duties The Career Development Manager serves as a key member of Career & Professional Development and is responsible for leading the planning, implementation, and assessment of employer engagement and professional skills programming that prepares students for career success. This position serves as the primary coordinator for career fairs, mock interviews, networking events, employer panels, classroom engagement opportunities, site visits, and other career‑readiness initiatives that connect students with employers, alumni, and industry professionals. In addition to managing signature career events, the Career Development Manager supports student career readiness through career advising, assessment, and strategic outreach efforts. The position serves as a liaison to designated academic programs and industry areas, collaborating with faculty to integrate career learning outcomes, support Career Everywhere initiatives, and connect academic learning with career pathways and workforce opportunities. Through partnerships with employers, alumni, faculty, and campus stakeholders, the Career Development Manager develops high‑impact experiences that increase student engagement, strengthen career readiness, and contribute to positive post‑graduation outcomes. Academic Partnerships Serve as the primary liaison between Career & Professional Development and assigned academic areas. Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with faculty, instructional staff, advisors, and academic leadership. Participate in departmental meetings, initiatives, and events as appropriate with faculty to integrate career development concepts and career learning outcomes into courses and co‑curricular experiences. Support implementation of school‑level career milestones and Career Everywhere initiatives. Educate or advise students and recent alumni individually, or in groups through various mediums about career exploration, self‑assessment, skills, materials development, and career decisions. Career Events & Professional Skills Programming Lead the planning, coordination, implementation, and assessment of Career & Professional Development's employer engagement and professional skills events. Coordinate and execute programs including mock interview events, networking socials, employer panels, classroom engagement opportunities, career fairs, industry meet‑ups, site visits, and alumni networking programs. Manage event logistics, timelines, registrations, communications, participant engagement, budgets, assessment activities, and event operations. Supervise and mentor a student employee responsible for supporting event logistics, coordinating mock interview schedules, communicating with students and employers, tracking registrations, and collecting required event documents and materials. Utilize event participation and assessment data to evaluate effectiveness and continuously improve programming. Support evening and occasional weekend programs and events as needed. Industry Expertise & Career Pathways Serve as the designated career resource for assigned academic majors and industry clusters. Remain current on industry trends, labor market information, employment outlooks, graduate education opportunities, and workforce needs. Build and maintain relationships with alumni, employers, and professionals willing to engage with students through mentoring, networking, informational interviews, job shadowing, and experiential learning opportunities. May identify and maintain a professional network of employers or other stakeholders to facilitate career exploration and employment opportunities for students. Student Success & Assessment Support achievement of a First Destination Survey knowledge rate of 90% or greater annually. Interpret and communicate career outcomes data to students, faculty, staff, and campus partners. Provide individualized career advising to students regarding career exploration, career readiness, job search strategies, interviewing, networking, internship preparation, and graduate school planning. Facilitate workshops, classroom presentations, group advising sessions, and career development programs. Maintain expertise in employment and continuing education outcomes by major, college, and industry. Maintain accurate student engagement and program records through departmental technologies and systems. Technology, Communications & Data Management Utilize Handshake, Navigate, VMock, LinkedIn Learning, and other systems to support student engagement and employer relations. Communicate opportunities, events, and resources through multiple communication channels. Collaborate on marketing and promotional initiatives that increase participation and visibility. Analyze participation, engagement, and outcome data to improve programs and services. Compensation Starting at $48,000 commensurate with experience Required Qualifications Minimum of two years of experience in higher education. Demonstrated ability to present information effectively to large audiences. Strong oral, written, interpersonal, and organizational skills. Ability to build collaborative relationships with students, faculty, employers, alumni, and campus partners. Commitment to supporting student success and career readiness. Preferred Qualifications One to three years of professional experience in career development, employer relations, recruiting, or workforce development. Demonstrated experience planning and implementing events, workshops, career fairs, or employer engagement initiatives. Experience utilizing career technologies such as Handshake, Navigate, VMock, LinkedIn Learning, or related platforms. Teaching experience. Education Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s Degree. Preferred Degree: Master’s Degree. UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr