Director of the Student Professional Development Center

Elon University is currently accepting applications for a Director of the Student Professional Development Center.  The Director of the SPDC provides visionary and strategic leadership while overseeing the development and delivery of programs and resources. The Director drives the enhancement of the highly successful and nationally ranked career services at Elon. This position is SPDC’s chief ambassador and collaborates with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, including academic affairs, student affairs, admissions, alumni relations, corporate relations, faculty, alumni, trustees, parents, and employers to foster effective relationships and partnerships. The Director maintains a student-centered, forward-thinking operation, oversees assessment functions and the articulation of outcomes to internal and external stakeholders, and serves as a spokesperson for Elon on career-related issues of students.  Leading a talented team of 18 full-time career professionals in a collaborative style, the focus of this position is to ensure continued delivery of high-quality career services in support of the university’s mission. Additional responsibilities include: providing leadership for the expansion of employer outreach programs, developing creative ways to engage an active and dedicated alumni body, overseeing relevant assessment measures to ensure continuous improvement, and leading change to remain responsive to student career development needs and evolving market trends.  The Director brings a contemporary, global view of career development to the role, and promotes Elon University as a preferred source of outstanding candidates for employers across all fields of endeavor, by strengthening existing employer relationships and developing new connections both from within the Elon networks and beyond, for internships, post-graduate employment, and admission into graduate and professional programs.  Baccalaureate and advanced degree required (MHE, MBA, MA/MS, or other). Ten or more years of progressive leadership and supervision in career services positions or in a related management field in industry. Demonstrated expertise in current career development models, career assessments, career counseling/advising/coaching, employment trends, legal issues in employment, and employer cultivation is desirable. Demonstrated ability to think strategically, act collaboratively, and lead organizational change, coupled with a track record of experience developing and supervising professional staff are essential for success.  Other Director attributes include a demonstrated commitment to best practices in career services as well as the competencies and ethical guidelines developed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Desired experience includes managing resources, including budgets and technology; knowledge of effective assessment strategies to inform programs and practice; excellent communication, marketing, and public relations skills; demonstrated competency in working with the needs of diverse student populations; and evidence of innovative activities leading to organizational growth, and experience with program development and delivery models serving the needs of all students.  The successful candidate will have outstanding written and verbal communication skills. Role requires public-speaking and presentation capability in contexts including sales, education or training, and workshop development and facilitation. Ability to host and dialogue with senior C-level executives.  High proficiency with Office suite, and Symplicity or other career management software. Knowledge of and interest in latest related technology including social networking platforms as part of the job search. Experience using virtual platforms to deliver career programming and events. Fast-paced, highly visible office. For more information and to submit your application, go to 

https://elon.peopleadmin.com/postings/7657.  Elon University is an equal employment opportunity employer committed to a diverse faculty, staff and student body and welcomes all applicants.

Elon University has built a national reputation as the premier student-centered environment for experiential learning, with an emphasis on strong personal relationships between students and their faculty and staff mentors. Elon students are ambitious, curious and compassionate, inspired to be big thinkers and creative problem-solvers. Elon’s rigorous curriculum is grounded in the arts and sciences and complemented by nationally accredited professional programs. The 447 full-time faculty members teach in more than 60 undergraduate majors and nine graduate programs. Elon’s four-year graduation rate of 79 percent ranks in the top six percent in the nation. Elon’s 6,291 undergraduate and 826 graduate students come from 46 states, the District of Columbia, three U.S. territories and 49 other countries. About 24 percent are from North Carolina, with strong enrollment numbers from the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and other states across the country. Elon is ranked among the top-100 National Universities by U.S. News & World Report, with a #2 ranking for excellence in undergraduate teaching and #10 for innovation. For the sixth straight year, Elon is the leader in the “Focus on Student Success” feature – the only college or university ranked in the top-20 in all eight categories of high-impact academic programs. Included are #1 rankings for study abroad and learning communities and #2 rankings for first-year experiences, senior capstone and service learning. Global engagement is central to Elon’s experience and 78 percent of students have at least one international study experience, often combined with internships, research or service. Elon is among the nation’s top universities for producing Fulbright Student Scholars and Peace Corps volunteers. In addition, Elon’s Study USA program includes opportunities to study in Los Angeles, New York City, Washington, D.C., Hawaii, Alaska and other locations. The university includes Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences; the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business; the School of Communications; the School of Education; the School of Health Sciences; and the School of Law, which is located on a campus in downtown Greensboro, N.C.