Assistant Director Career Management

Department: MCC Engineering Career Develop
Salary/Grade: EXS/7

Elevate Your Career at Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering! Join the prestigious McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University as the Assistant Director of Career Management in the Engineering Career Development department. This exceptional opportunity offers a unique platform to advance your career in higher education while making a significant impact on the future of engineering and technology professionals. This role is perfect for Engineering professionals seeking to leverage their industry expertise to guide the next generation of innovators and transition into a rewarding career in higher education, or mid-career level career services professionals with STEM experience looking to expand their impact and take on a leadership role in a dynamic, technology-focused environment.

Why Choose McCormick?

World-class institution: Be part of a top-ranked engineering school known for cutting-edge research and innovative programs

Career growth: Develop your skills in career counseling, program management, and educational leadership

Impactful work: Shape the careers of talented engineering and computer science students, preparing them for success in a rapidly evolving technological landscape

Collaborative environment: Join an amazing team of professionals dedicated to student success and career development

Expanding team: Be part of a growing department as we add additional staff to meet the increasing demands of the thriving McCormick School of Engineering

This is an exciting time to join the McCormick School of Engineering and make a lasting impact on the future of engineering education and career development. If you're passionate about empowering the next generation of engineers and technologists, we want to hear from you!

Job Summary

The Assistant Director advises and supports the career development and career planning of Northwestern Engineering students with career interests in engineering, computer science, and technology. Successful candidates will empower students in decision-making and professional growth associated with their career goals and objectives. Assesses individual situations and circumstances, many complex in nature, and creates, implements, and monitors recommendations, partnering with internal/external constituencies and resources that meet student needs. Provides career education to students through advising, workshops, events, and teaching a quarterly undergraduate career development course. Ensures compliance with all associated policies, rules, and regulations. Tracks and monitors student career progress through work-integrated learning programs and initiatives, including co-op, internships, research, service learning, and student entrepreneurship.

Specific Responsibilities:

Administration

• Manages & implements strategic plans.
• Recommends changes & improvements to functional operations to better meet organizational needs & objectives.
• Completes administrative activities such as assessment, operations planning, data management, and reporting.
• Researches best practices and peer institutions and market/economic conditions and recommends changes and enhancements to improve administrative effectiveness, services and/or resources.

Technology

• Reviews existing use of technology and recommends changes to incorporate state-of-the-art systems and tools as appropriate into all aspects of the advising, counseling, and recruiting/employment programs.
• Researches peer and cutting-edge developments regarding technology and recommends changes and enhancements that will improve delivery of resources and services.
• Recommends changes and enhancements to leverage technology to best serve the greatest number of students as effectively as possible.

McCormick: Instruction and Enrollment Management

• Develops curriculum for McCormick-based course, CRDV 301, "Introduction to Career Development," which is required of all students who wish to have access to programs and services related to internships, co-op, service learning, research opportunities and full-time employment post-graduation.
• Teaches at least one section of CRDV 301 each quarter during the regular academic year and is responsible for assessment of student learning outcomes and grades for his/her section.
• Manages official university enrollment for all assigned students (both undergraduate and graduate students) during every work term (including summer) that the student is out on co-op, internship, service learning or research work. Enrollment management includes, but is not limited to, appropriate course registration, service indicator holds, management of student assignment to the official university "Co-op" student group, assessment of student work-based learning outcomes and the assignment of an official university grade.
• Other aspects of enrollment management include (but are not limited to) granting permission to international students to apply for Curricular Practical Training, coordinating with Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Housing & Food Services and the International Office to ensure students' eligibility to participate in ECD programs.
• Also teaches sessions in the MS Bootcamp series and the PhD Summer Seminar Series.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 3 years' career counseling/advising in higher education or 3 years' of industry experience; or other relevant experience required; OR
• Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a master's or JD or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 2 years' career counseling/advising in higher education or 2 years' of industry experience; or other relevant experience required.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Working knowledge of spreadsheets (Excel), databases, and CRM platforms such that the individual will be able to understand and utilize the functions of the ECD information management system and platforms in use at Northwestern.
• Presentation skills. Demonstrable proficiency in MS PowerPoint, or other presentation software.
• Knowledge of career advising and career education best practices.

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Master's degree in counseling, higher education, or a related field of study.
• Two years of experience advising college students.
• Knowledge of STEM fields and hiring trends

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Recommends changes and enhancements to leverage technology to best serve the greatest number of students as effectively as possible.

Advising/Counseling

• Implement/provide personalizing counseling and advising that focuses on self-assessment, research, job and internship search strategies, reflection, and strategic decision making.
• Researches, develops, and implements programs and services that enhance the student experience.
• Maintains knowledge of job market trends and hiring practices in the engineering and technology fields.

Relationships

• Collaborates with student affairs, academic departments, faculty, student organizations and administrative offices to develop programs and publicize opportunities spanning a broad range of industries and geographies.
• Builds and maintains a network of potential employers and alumni that can provide opportunities for mentoring, internships and/or jobs.
• Engages with associations, organizations, alumni, and employers to encourage experiential education and professional development.

Marketing/Public Relations

• Identifies opportunities and strategies for short- and long-term growth & expansion of program resources, value and participation.

Programs/Events

• Manages planning and arrangement of programs - meetings, workshops, trainings, events, etc. designed to provide information, promote resources and to build internal and external relationships.
• Manages event details including communication, venues, presenters, travel arrangements, materials, refreshments and technology ensuring that all are arranged and completed in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Researches best practices to enhance, improve, and innovate program topics and delivery to better meet goals & objectives.
• Supervises creation of components, including curriculum development, lectures, conferences, and seminars.

Evaluation

• Manages development and maintenance of evaluation processes including associated metrics and key performance indicators.
• Collect & analyzes outcome measurements and recommends changes & enhancements to improve program.
• Collaborates with internal/external partners to implement changes designed to improve/increase program goals/objectives.

Compliance

• Coordinates development & implementation of processes and procedures that ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, local & NU laws, regulations, policies & procedures.
• Interfaces with government and accreditation organizations.
• Prepares documents as required

Supervises

• Supervises graduate interns and/or student employees

Target hiring range for this position will be between $63,079 - $88,705 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

#LI-GY1