Executive Director, Career Development Office

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Position Summary

Are you passionate about shaping the future of business leaders? Do you thrive on empowering individuals to reach their career aspirations and realize their full potential? If so, Rice University invites you to lead our Rice Business Career Development Office as the Executive Director.

As the Executive Director, you will be at the forefront of guiding and transforming the career journeys of our talented MBA students and alumni. Rice Business, renowned for its innovative programs and thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, is committed to developing principle-centered thought leaders in global communities, fostering a community of exceptional leaders who will make a lasting impact in the world of business.

Rice University offers a vibrant campus culture, a collaborative community of scholars, and a commitment to excellence in education and career development. As the Executive Director of the Rice Business Career Development Office, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the career trajectories of our ambitious MBA students, leaving a lasting impact on the global business community.

Join us in empowering the next generation of trailblazing leaders. Apply now to lead the way at Rice Business!

Ideal Candidate Statement

The Executive Director of the Rice Business Career Development Office is an accomplished professional passionate about transforming the lives of MBA students and alumni through comprehensive career development strategies. We seek a visionary leader who embodies the core values of Rice University, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to R esponsibility, I ntegrity, C ommunity, and E xcellence.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted
• 10 years of administrative experience with significant experience leading and managing teams
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted
• Skills:
  • Strong leadership skills
  • Superior oral and written communication skills
  • Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills; in-depth understanding of career development philosophy and models; proactive attitude towards students
  • Must be able to interact and collaborate with staff and faculty leaders, gain the trust and confidence of students, and support students for positions of leadership
  • Must have the diplomacy, patience, and tact necessary to successfully address a wide range of interactions
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality

Essential Functions

• Responsible for directing all operations of the career development office, including setting strategic priorities, supervising staff, managing the budget, and developing short and long-term operating plans encompassing budgets, services, personnel, and technology. Plans and conducts workshops, seminars, and other presentations to students, faculty, employers, and alumni groups, which increase visibility of the department
• Develops strategy to market a range of department services to new and existing employers
• Oversees the marketing and promotion of recruiting initiatives
• Oversees student programming, including monitoring, analyzing, and assessing student participation and effectiveness toward programmatic goals
• Builds and manages relationships with employers and recruiters from a wide range of industries and organizations
• Maintains relationships with academic departments and collaborative offices to supplement services for existing and developing affiliate programs
• Performs other duties as needed

Preferences

• Strong experience in student and/ or career services or managing corporate recruiting programs in a corporate setting
• Experience working with a full range of MBA students, including Full-Time and Professional, including EMBA and Online
• Knowledge of career development platforms such as 12Twenty, Symplicity, Handshake, MBA-Exchange, Vmock, Big Interview, RocketBlocks, Interstride, and Vault
• A dynamic leader with a proven track record in career services, talent development, or related fields, ideally within a higher education or MBA setting
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to inspire, motivate, and engage stakeholders from diverse backgrounds
• Deep understanding of the business landscape, market trends, and industry demands, enabling the design of innovative and future-forward career programs
• Demonstrated success in fostering strategic partnerships with leading companies, creating a strong employer network
• Master's degree or higher in business, education, counseling, or a related field

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

Faculty and staff are expected (but not required) to have completed a full vaccination series for COVID-19 (currently defined as full course COVID-19 Vaccine (typically two shots of a WHO-approved COVID-19 Vaccine or one J&J) and a COVID-19 booster. Rice does not require documentation for COVID 19 vaccination at this time for faculty and staff. More information can be found here: https://coronavirus.rice.edu/policies