Vice President, Career Programming

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

To be considered for this position, candidates MUST reside in the Austin, Texas metropolitan area.   This position is Hybrid/Remote in the Austin, TX metro area. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Vice President of Career Programming is a strategic leadership role responsible for designing, developing, and managing all aspects of API’s career programming initiatives, including internships, co-ops, research projects and career exploration programming. This position plays a critical role in aligning API’s career programming strategies with organizational goals, forming academic partnerships, and overseeing a range of student-related administrative functions and onboarding procedures.

With full ownership of the Career Programming P&L and internship library, the Manager leads cross-functional collaboration, oversees special projects for the SVP, and manages both full-time and part-time staff. They act as a key liaison with academic institutions and internal departments to ensure an exceptional student experience from inquiry through enrollment and post-acceptance processes.

In addition to operational oversight, the role oversees the process for prospective students and parents, guiding them through program selection, admissions, and pre-departure processes. This includes detailed knowledge of admissions requirements, visa processes, course registration, and housing logistics. The role demands a high level of administrative accuracy, particularly in maintaining records within Salesforce and ensuring all onboarding and orientation materials are up to date and effectively communicated.

This individual demonstrates initiative, problem-solving ability, and a collaborative mindset, contributing to continuous improvements and organizational effectiveness. A strong commitment to customer service, clear communication, and professional development is essential.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Responsibilities:

• Designing, developing and leading the implementation of career programming strategies;
• Forming alliances and partnerships with key academic institutions;
• Working collaboratively with other department employees to ensure the program is in alignment with organizational needs;
• Develop and implement administrative and recordkeeping systems;
• Owns the P&L for Career Programming;
• Owns the internship library;
• Oversees a variety of special projects under the direction of the SVP;
• Responsible for developing and managing full time and part time employees;
• Performing other job-related responsibilities as assigned.

API expects all staff to

• Be adaptable to change in the workplace and use change as an opportunity for innovation and creativity;
• Take ownership of problems, has ability to brainstorm different problem resolution paths, uses sound judgment in selecting solutions to problems, and demonstrates consistent follow through;
• Demonstrated self-initiation and an action bias orientation;
• Has job knowledge and skills to perform the fundamental job functions and is able and willing to assume greater responsibility over time regarding the scope of work;
• Has the ability to inspire and model collaborative teamwork;
• Demonstrates an understanding of customer service regarding accommodation, helpfulness, trust building, appropriate boundaries, and flexibility.

What We’re Looking For. The Must-Haves

• Bachelor's degree from accredited college or university in Business or a related field;
• Previous participation in a work/co-op/intern/career exploration programming;
• Experience in account and/or relationship management;
• Demonstrated competency in the required key skills: Negotiation, influencing, facilitation and communication (both verbal and written);
• Advanced project management skill;
• Skilled in analytical thinking and time management.

What you will be doing.

• Serve as the primary subject matter expert, promoting a portfolio of AP career programs;
• Oversee admissions (i.e., enrollment review) for a portfolio of programs, including managing incoming onboarding materials, handling host institution enrollment reviews, and notifying students of acceptance and enrollment;
• Liaise with the host institution and on-site resident coordinators/directors as required to secure student enrollment into the career programming opportunities;
• Liaise with the VP of Pedagogy and Curriculum for career programming course facilitation;
• Assist with visa processing (when applicable);
• Meet periodically with marketing and programming staff to cross functionally collaborate program updates and changes;
• Actively participate when attending Enrollment Management meetings;
• Review the accuracy of website information and the catalog for annual publication, on a seasonal and as-needed basis;
• Demonstrate experience with handling and problem solving difficult interactions with parents, students, or advisors and resolving problems/concerns/issues ;
• Review the full student life-cycle and make both product and communication recommendations;
• Contribute to the success of the broader team/organization by driving positive change and contribute to the collective success by:

1. Facilitate and guide new employees through the onboarding process;
2. Disseminate relevant updates and facilitate discussions on pertinent topics in recurring team meetings;
3. Present timely information and lead focused conversations on key areas like trends, process improvement, and skill development during team updates. Take ownership of identifying and implementing improvements; and
4. Collaborate and provide assistance with teammates to manage during increased demand periods.

Requirements:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Communication: 

Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for interacting with various stakeholders, including team members, senior management, and external partners.

Leadership:

We are looking for a strong leader who can inspire and motivate their team, guiding them towards achieving strategic objectives.

Management:

Exceptional ability to manage budgets, resources, and projects effectively, ensuring efficient and impactful program delivery.

Team Building and Development:

Demonstrated ability with recruiting, managing, and developing a team of professionals, including program managers and other staff.

Program Development and Strategy:

Must have a deep understanding of program design, implementation, and evaluation is crucial. Strategic Vision - must be able to successfully develop and execute strategic plans that align with the organization's mission and goals, driving innovation and growth in career programming initiatives.

Relationship Management:

Building and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders, including employers, educational institutions, and community organizations.

Risk Management:

Must have experience with identifying potential risks associated with career programming initiatives and developing mitigation strategies.

Data Analysis:

The ability to analyze data and track the effectiveness of programs is important for making informed decisions and demonstrating impact.

Adaptability:

The ability to adapt to changing needs and priorities in the career landscape is essential for staying relevant and effective. 

KEY EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS 

• A bachelor's or master's degree in a related field such as media studies, communications, education, business, or a related field is required.
• Study abroad experience is preferred.
• 5-7 years’ experience in programming and/or working for a higher education partner (i.e. College or University or Internship program for an organization). 
• Demonstrated experience managing full time, wage earning employees.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively without direct supervision.