Director of Career Services and Alumni Relations

Position Summary:

The Director of Career Services and Alumni Relations provides strategic leadership for career development initiatives and alumni engagement efforts that support student success, career readiness, and lifelong connections with the institution. This position develops programs, resources, and partnerships that prepare students for meaningful careers while fostering strong relationships with alumni to enhance mentoring, networking, fundraising, and institutional advancement opportunities.

Essential Functions:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive career development program for students and recent graduates.
• Provide individual career coaching, including career exploration, résumé and cover letter review, interview preparation, and job search strategies.
• Coordinate career/vendor fairs, networking events, employer information sessions, and professional development workshops.
• Cultivate relationships with employers to increase internship, experiential learning, and employment opportunities for students and graduates.
• Collaborate with academics to integrate career readiness competencies into the student experience.
• Maintain and manage career services technology platforms and employment databases.
• Maintain and manage career services social media accounts
• Track and assess career outcomes, internship participation, and program effectiveness.
• Educate students on graduate school preparation, professional networking, and workforce trends.
• Develop and execute strategies to engage alumni through communications, events, networking opportunities, and volunteer initiatives.
• Maintain accurate alumni records and databases in collaboration with institutional departments.
• Coordinate alumni events, reunions, recognition programs, and regional engagement activities.
• Foster alumni participation in mentoring, career panels, guest speaking opportunities, and student networking initiatives.
• Create and distribute alumni communications, including newsletters, social media content, and updates highlighting alumni achievements.
• Recruit and support alumni volunteers for institutional events and initiatives.
• Work closely with various departments to support institutional goals.
• Serve on campus committees and represent the institution at professional organizations and community events.
• Provide oversight of departmental budgets and make budgetary decisions within established institutional policies and approved funding levels.
• Prepare reports and assessments demonstrating program effectiveness and alignment with strategic objectives.
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies and applicable regulations.
• Develop and implement departmental policies
• Provide supervision, training, and evaluation of work-study students, as assigned

Other Responsibilities:

• Participate in campus activities
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Position Goal:

The goal for each member of the USW campus community is to consistently live the principles of the mission of the University. The USW mission is as follows:

University of the Southwest is a Christ-centered educational community dedicated to developing men and women for a lifetime of servant leadership by emphasizing individual faith, responsibility, and initiative.

• Teaching at the University of the Southwest adheres to belief in God, in the Bible as the inspired Word of God, in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and in the separation of church and state.
• University of the Southwest strives for excellence in academic curriculum, campus life programming, and student activities in a supportive educational community where freedom of thought and expression is honored and the demonstration of faith in acts of service is encouraged.
• At University of the Southwest, students are instructed and mentored by a faculty and staff who demonstrate Christ-centered values and maintain an environment where students can live and work cooperatively, valuing the multiple cultures from which they come; and
• As a community of initiative, University of the Southwest challenges graduates to become enterprising members of our society contributing to the common good by advocating and participating in the productive commerce of free enterprise, the constitutional privilege of self-government, and the practical contributions of community service

Education, Experience and Skills Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Higher Education, Counseling, Human Resources, Business, Communications, or a related field.
• Two to five years of experience in career services, alumni relations, student affairs, advancement, or a related field.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience planning events and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and database management systems.
• Student-centered approach to service and support.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to build relationships with students, alumni, employers, faculty, and community partners.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Commitment to the mission and values of the institution.

Preferred:

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience in a higher education setting.
• Knowledge of career development theories, employer relations, and alumni engagement best practices.