What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Engineering Career Development position at The Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia?
The Director of Engineering Career Development provides strategic and tactical leadership for the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) career development team. This role manages all facets of career services, ensuring that UVA SEAS students and alumni are equipped with the professional tools and connections necessary for success in local, national, and international markets. The Director serves as the primary representative for SEAS within the University community and to a significant base of external stakeholders and employers.
In recent years, UVA Engineering integrated career development instruction into first-year engineering design courses. The new Director will lead the continued evolution of this work by embedding career learning and professional preparation throughout all four years of our undergraduate degree programs. This is a unique opportunity to design an innovative, curriculum-integrated career development model with lasting impact on student success.
The Director serves both the undergraduate and graduate students of SEAS, and reports to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs.
Primary Responsibilities
- Provide comprehensive leadership for all facets of career development within the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) and ensure alignment with school-wide professional goals.
- Directly manage the SEAS career development team and provide oversight for all affiliate staff assigned to the career development function.
- Oversee career advising services to support undergraduate students and graduate students in their professional journey.
- Collaborate with academic departments to strategically integrate career development competencies and professional milestones directly into the undergraduate engineering curricula, ensuring students are career-ready upon graduation.
- Lead the design and implementation of career fairs, seminars, workshops, and other programs that assist students in exploring and developing future career plans.
- Serve as the primary representative for SEAS on all matters involving career development within the University community and to external stakeholders.
- Maintain, nurture, and pursue new relationships with a local, regional, national, and international employers.
- Facilitate recruitment opportunities for UVA SEAS students and alumni, focusing on high-quality career-related internships and full-time positions.
Qualifications:
- Master's degree required, preferably in higher education administration, student affairs, engineering, or a related field.
- 7 years of progressively responsible experience in university career services or human resources in an engineering industry setting.
- Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with diverse constituencies, including students, faculty, alumni, and corporate partners.
- Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills, with a demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and analyze professional trends.
- Experience with strategic planning, staff supervision, and budget management.
- Experience in event coordination and program development, specifically regarding career fairs and industry-specific networking events.
- Expertise in modern career services management (CSM) technology (e.g., Handshake) and the use of data analytics to drive service improvements.
- Willingness to travel and work occasional evenings or weekends to support recruitment events.
This position will remain open until filled. This is an exempt level, benefited position. The University will perform background checks on all hires (if required) prior to employment.Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. For this role, the University will not sponsor or consider candidates requiring sponsorship for employment visas now or in the future. For questions about the application process, please contact Daniel Strong, Senior Recruiter at das6zb@virginia.edu.
Please apply through the University job board, Careers at UVA, and search for R0080060.
Internal applicants may search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education: Master's degree required.
Experience: 7 years relevant experience, to include 4 years formal management experience required.
Licensure: None.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.
The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.