What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Career Education Coach position at Montana State University?
Career, Internship & Student Employment Services empowers students to define and pursue their professional paths through career education, coaching, experiential learning, and employer engagement. The Lead Career Coach serves as a key member of the Career Education team, providing direct student support while helping advance coaching quality, consistency, and innovation across departmental programs and services.
Duties and Responsibilities
Career Coaching & Student Development
- Provide individual and group career coaching to undergraduate and graduate students.
- Deliver workshops, classroom presentations, and career readiness programming.
- Support students in career exploration, professional development, and job and internship preparation.
Supervisory Duties
- Supervise team of Career coaches, providing day-to-day leadership, mentorship, and performance management.
- Coordinate scheduling and coverage for coaching services, including appointments, workshops, and group sessions.
- Organize and lead regular team meetings and one-on-one check-ins to foster collaboration, team cohesion and continuous improvement.
- Oversee the onboarding and ongoing training of new and continuing Career Coaches.
Coaching Excellence & Team Development
- Serve as the department’s lead practitioner in career coaching and student engagement.
- Support onboarding, mentoring, and professional development for coaches and student associates.
- Develop and maintain coaching resources and promote quality and consistency across coaching services.
Collaboration & Partnership
- Collaborate with faculty, campus partners, and employers to advance student career readiness.
- Support career fairs, employer engagement activities, and outreach initiatives.
Assessment & Continuous Improvement
- Maintain coaching records and contribute to assessment and continuous improvement efforts.
- Identify student needs and recommend enhancements to coaching resources and services
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Master’s degree in counseling, higher education, student affairs, education, human resources, communications, business, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience providing advising, coaching, counseling, mentoring, or career development services in a post-secondary, workforce development, or professional setting.
- Experience designing and delivering workshops, presentations, training programs, or educational programming.
- Experience building relationships with diverse populations and supporting individuals through career-related decision making.
- Demonstrated proficiency using technology to support student services, coaching, instruction, or program delivery.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Experience providing career coaching in a college or university setting.
- Experience supporting graduate students, adult learners, or professionals navigating career transitions.
- Experience mentoring, training, or supporting the professional development of staff, student employees, or peer educators.
- Familiarity with career development theories, assessments, and coaching methodologies.
- Knowledge of workforce trends, labor market information, and employer recruiting practices
The Successful Candidate Will
- Build rapport and establish trust with diverse student populations.
- Demonstrate strong coaching, facilitation, and active listening skills.
- Communicate effectively in one-on-one, small-group, and large-group settings.
- Exercise sound judgment, professionalism, and confidentiality.
- Collaborate effectively with colleagues, faculty, employers, and campus partners.
- Demonstrate initiative, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning.
- Balance direct student service with leadership responsibilities and competing priorities.
- Foster a supportive, inclusive, and student-centered environment.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
Some evening and occasional weekend work may be required to support career fairs, employer events, workshops, and student programming.
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties?
No
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
1
Desired Start Date
Upon completion of a successful search.
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on July 14th 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
This position is not eligible for new sponsorship
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
Benefits:
Health Insurance, Sick Leave, Retirement PlanSalary : $28