Assistant Director, Career Services

Department
 

BSD OME - Office of Master's Education

About the Department
 

The Office of Master’s Education (OME) is the home of academic and professional training within the Biological Sciences Division (BSD). The OME was established in 2019 to provide graduate training that helps students become more competitive for careers in healthcare and the biological sciences, with a primary focus on Master’s degrees, Certificates, and non-credit educational offerings. Our mission is to develop and implement high-impact graduate-level educational programs that leverage the expertise of the BSD, create and improve career outcomes for students, and align with the strategic initiatives of clinical and basic science departments. Currently the OME oversees four BSD Masters programs: MS in Public Health Sciences for Clinical Professionals, Master of Public Health, MS in Precision Health, and MS in Biomedical Sciences, with growth plans for new additional degree programs in the next five years.

Job Summary
 

The Assistant Director of Career Services will serve as an integral member of the BSD Office of Masters Education (OME) with the main responsibility of providing professionally-oriented masters students with the essential tools and resources to better prepare and position themselves for success in the pursuit of their career goals. Leveraging expertise in employer relations and career advising, the successful candidate will develop a strategic vision for career services and lead master’s program staff across the division in accomplishing that vision. In addition, the Assistant Director of Career Services will provide mentorship and resources to students interested in academic career paths (e.g. doctoral programs, medical school, etc.). The Assistant Director of Career Services will work closely with other career services personnel embedded in Divisional programs, as well as additional allied campus partners in the Biological Sciences Division, UChicago GRAD, and Career Advancement Offices. This position is eligible for a flexible work arrangement if desired, with some in-office presence required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive career placement strategy for each Masters program (Masters, certificate, and non-credit offerings), working with each programs’ leadership, and serving as the chief Divisional liaison for the Masters and other programs to important campus partners like UChicagoGrad and MyChoice.

• Evaluates staffing and resource gaps and designs recommendations for career services and employer relations growth to divisional leadership.

• Provide leadership and vision as the composition of each program continues to grow and evolve. Develop new strategies to support the student population that is growing in size with both domestic and international students.

• Leads and convenes career services and employer relations staff within the BSD’s programs to foster collaboration and ensure alignment with the OME’s goals.

• Manage the career placement aspirations for each Masters and other educational programs, tailoring workshops, alumni mentors, internship opportunities, and career exploration events to feature emergent student interests, and prepare students for career alternatives that are vital for each program’s ability to recruit talented students to the University.

• Track and analyze the effectiveness of career service events and workshops, developing metrics to shape future planning, and operational budgets, as well as improve internship opportunities, job placement outcomes, and student satisfaction.

• Produce annual career placement reports for each program, detailing the number of students who were successful in landing career-track positions within six months of graduation.

• Analyze the competitive landscape of programs at other institutions to develop strategies to enhance the career development opportunities and employer relations.

• Expand and enhance the University’s corporate network through marketing and outreach strategies and meetings with employers and alumni to increase resources and employment opportunities to students.

• Conduct complex career management related large lectures, hands-on workshops, special events, training programs, and one-on-one career coaching sessions. Act as the lead resource for and direct students to other career resources as needed.

• Potential to hire, manage, mentor, and supervise junior career service staff and a number of occasional student workers pending performance and office needs.

• Assist OME leadership in all important aspects, as a key member of our core leadership team.

• Advises and counsels students concerning employment opportunities and careers by acting as a liaison between students and prospective employers.

• Develops original content for career related publications and assists with the editing and distribution of Career Services communications materials.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications
 

Education:

• Graduate degree.

Experience:

• At least three years of work experience in a similar job discipline, with increasing responsibility for strategic planning. 

• Prior experience in advising, communications and outreach, event planning, and recruitment.

• Prior exposure to the biological sciences, biomedical sciences, clinical research, or public health.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Comfortable with a computer and learning new software.

• Basic familiarity with Career Management Systems, Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Docs, Zoom, Adobe Acrobat, and some of the more common social media (Facebook, WhatsApp, WeChat, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.).

Preferred Competencies

• Strong project and event management skills.

• Strong communication skills, including the ability to tailor communications to the needs, interests, and concerns of the students, program leaders, alumni, and employers that we bring to campus.

• Excellent verbal communication, including public speaking experience.

• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines with minimal direction.

• Proactive approach to solving problems and implementing solutions.

• Ability to establish good working relationships with people of different backgrounds.

• Professional demeanor including tact, discretion, and a customer-service-oriented approach to the job.

• Ability to problem-solve with minimal direction and work independently to be a flexible team player.

• Exercise good judgment in key-decision making.

• Ability to deliver high-quality work under pressure.

• Ability to learn new systems.

Working Conditions

• Office setting.

• This position is eligible for a flexible work arrangement if desired, with some in-office presence required. 

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Student Affairs & Services

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

40

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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