Executive Director of Career Services and Employer Relations

The Executive Director of Career Services and Employer Relations provides visionary leadership and strategic direction for Truman State University’s Career Center. The Executive Director is charged with developing a comprehensive approach to career services at Truman, a public liberal arts and sciences university, to meet the specific needs of our students and to prepare them for post-graduate career placement and success. The Executive Director aligns career development initiatives with the university’s mission and fosters robust employer partnerships. The Executive Director also oversees the integration of career services within the academic framework to ensure that students are well-prepared for diverse career paths.

The Executive Director oversees the university’s Career Center and its staff, including the Director of Internships and the Career Services Coordinator. The Director of Internships is charged with initiating employer relations through the university’s internship portfolio, while the Career Services Coordinator manages the daily operations of the Career Center, with a focus on student career preparation, advising and event coordination. The Executive Director reports to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.

It is anticipated that the university’s career network will continue to expand into new opportunities in several major metropolitan areas beyond Truman’s Kirksville campus, including Columbia, Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri as well as other metropolitan areas with significant career opportunities and existing alumni networks, including Chicago and Washington, DC.

This is a full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible position that will require periodic work-related travel.

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive career services strategy that aligns with Truman State University’s mission and strategic goals.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts by analyzing data, gathering student feedback, and monitoring engagement metrics to enhance career services offerings.
• Collaborate with academic departments and faculty to integrate career readiness across the curriculum, ensuring that career development is embedded in the student academic experience.

Career Center Leadership and Development

• Lead and mentor a team of career services professionals, fostering a collaborative and student-centered environment focused on student career preparation and placement. Supervise career center staff and ensure compliance with university policies and procedures.
• Provide professional development opportunities for staff to stay current with industry trends and best practices in career development and employer relations.
• Oversee the delivery of essential career services that include career counseling, workshops and seminars that equip students with essential job search skills, including resume writing, interview preparation, and networking strategies, aligning these services with student needs and marketing trends.
• Develop a structured program for peer career mentors that includes professional development, coaching, and performance assessment to ensure high-quality student support.

Employer Relations and Partnership Development

• Oversee the Director of Internships, who is charged with the front-end development of employer relations through the university’s internship program, to expand internship, job placement, and professional development opportunities for students.
• Organize and oversee career fairs, employer panels, and recruitment and networking events to facilitate connections between students and potential employers and relevant alumni and industry professionals.

Faculty Collaboration and Curriculum Integration

• Partner with faculty to embed career readiness skills into the curriculum.
• Serve as a resource to faculty on emerging career trends and employer expectations, helping them align program outcomes with market needs.

Program Management and Assessment

• Implement assessment tools to measure the effectiveness of career services programs and initiatives, using data on student engagement, program participation and employment outcomes to inform strategic decisions and program enhancements.
• Stay informed about labor market trends, emerging industries, and best practices in career counseling to continuously improve services.
• Ensure compliance with national standards and best practices in career services, maintaining active involvement in relevant professional organizations.
• Assess and communicate the ongoing effectiveness and impact of career services.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Business or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years experience in career services, employer relations, or relevant higher education leadership.
• Proven ability to build partnerships with employers.
• Proficiency with career services management software.
• Strong data analysis, strategic planning, and program management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor a team effectively.
• Familiarity with current trends in career services and employer expectations.
• Experience with integrating career readiness into academic curricula.

Applications must be submitted electronically at http://employment.truman.edu/. For assistance with submitting an application, please contact Human Resources at 660-785-4031 or hrstaff@truman.edu. Final candidates will be expected to undergo and successfully pass a background check.

Review of applications will begin February 1, 2025, and continue until the position is filled.

Truman offers an attractive benefits package including: paid sick and vacation time; paid holidays; medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance; and retirement plan. Paid parental leave and tuition discount are available for eligible employees after one year. For more information, visit https://hr.truman.edu/benefits/.

The University: Truman State University is home to a vibrant educational community. The approximately 3,500 students who make up its student body are well prepared for the academic rigors of a highly selective university. More than 20 percent engage in significant undergraduate research and creative projects. Most gain leadership experience and nearly half go on to graduate or professional school within a year of earning a degree. 

Founded in 1867, Truman is known for its focus on student learning and outcomes and places an emphasis on high-impact experiences such as internships, research, and study abroad opportunities. Truman has the highest overall graduation rate among the state’s public colleges and universities. For more than two decades, Truman has been recognized as the No. 1 public university in the Midwest regional category by U.S. News & World Report. Washington Monthly has included Truman in the top five of its master’s university rankings in each of the past five years. For more information regarding additional rankings and acknowledgements, visit truman.edu/about.

The Community: Located in Northeast Missouri, Kirksville is a cultural and economic hub in the region. In addition to Truman, Kirksville is the birthplace of osteopathic medicine and has a medical school, dental school, and community college. The Kirksville School District is consistently recognized for academic excellence, and the community takes pride in several annual events including the Red Barn Arts and Crafts Festival, the NEMO Triathlon, and the Red, White, and Blue Festival. Just a few minutes outside of town is beautiful Thousand Hills State Park with hiking and biking opportunities surrounding the 700-acre Forest Lake. Kirksville offers easy access by car to Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago and Des Moines. Daily flights from Kirksville Regional Airport to Chicago provide quick access to one of the Midwest’s major metropolitan areas. More information about Kirksville can be found at kirksvillechamber.com. 

Truman State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, Truman State does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its program or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. Inquiries may be directed to the Institutional Compliance Officer, 660-785-4354, and titleix@truman.edu.

Truman State is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate form or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources, McClain Hall 101, 100 E. Normal, Kirksville, MO 63501, 660-785-4031 or hrstaff@truman.edu.