Director of Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Life Design

Johns Hopkins University, United States

Updated: 3 months ago

Location: Maryland Line, MARYLAND

We invite visionary leaders to embrace the role of Director of Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Life Design . Reporting to the Executive Director of Doctoral and Postdoctoral Career Design, this position presents a unique chance to significantly influence the professional trajectories of our doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows. With a focus that includes the Whiting School of Engineering, The Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, the School of Education, Peabody, and the School of Advanced International Studies, the Director will devise strategies to enhance professional development, life design, alumni networking, employer interactions, and mentorship opportunities.

Johns Hopkins University is at the forefront of a transformative journey in life design, experiential learning, and mentoring. By establishing specialized departments and initiating groundbreaking programs, we firmly believe that every student and postdoctoral fellow, irrespective of their background, field of study, or resources, deserves a purpose-driven academic journey.

This role operates in a hybrid work model, providing flexibility to cater to the dynamic needs of the position while ensuring a consistent alignment with the university's mission and objectives.

Close collaboration with various university departments is crucial, underlining a comprehensive approach to career design. The role demands active engagement with numerous stakeholders—students, faculty, alumni, and industry innovators—to ensure our offerings are continually refined based on feedback.

Achievements in this role will be evaluated against well-defined Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) that resonate with the overarching objectives of the department and the university. The Director will champion the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, integrating these ideals in all aspects of their duties. A thorough onboarding process is in place to ensure a seamless transition and immediate contribution, providing all essential tools and resources.

Join us in this pivotal role and contribute to fostering dynamic relationships and driving career design excellence at Johns Hopkins University.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

Craft a unified vision and strategy that integrates life design, curriculums, and mentorship, while also fostering strong connections with alumni. Aim to offer a comprehensive and holistic support system for our students and postdoctoral fellows.
Lead and mentor the team of Assistant Directors of Career Education with vigor and clarity. Encourage ongoing professional development, ensuring alignment with departmental objectives and fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation.
Engage collaboratively with fellow Directors and various departments across JHU. This synergy aims to fortify a consistent, university-wide approach to life design, experiential learning, and professional development.
Advocate for the unique needs, goals, and concerns of our students and postdocs at all levels of the institution. Commit to ensuring they have the resources, opportunities, and platforms they need to voice their perspectives and achieve their aspirations.
Prioritize the professional growth of team members by facilitating training and mentorship opportunities.
Regularly conduct workshops and training modules, ensuring the team is well-equipped with the latest trends, tools, and techniques to serve our students and postdocs to the best of their abilities.

Program Development

Direct and refine the '100 Alumni Voices' and '100 Faculty Voices' initiatives, ensuring they offer in-depth, diverse insights to students and postdocs.
Lead the 'Empower Your Pitch' Research Communication Contest at both JHU and on a national scale.
Design and implement cutting-edge career programs, workshops, and curricula, utilizing advanced technologies like AI, VR, and AR to provide tailored, immersive experiences.
Infuse curricula with modules centered on essential skills, professional ethics, sustainability, and social responsibility.
Create programs that not only prepare students for the future of work but also for diverse paths in both academic and non-academic careers.
Spearhead mentorship programs that pair students and postdocs with experienced professionals, faculty, or alumni, fostering a culture of guidance, shared learning, and professional development.
Organize and co-lead career and identity-based conferences, creating platforms for networking, learning, and professional growth. These conferences should address the diverse needs and interests of the student and postdoc community, and facilitate meaningful interactions with industry experts, thought leaders, and alumni.

Strategic Engagement & Relationship Building

Engage proactively with Deans and Vice Deans across JHU. This ensures that our strategies and initiatives are not only ambitious but also align seamlessly with the broader academic vision of JHU.
Foster consistent and meaningful interactions with faculty and the vast alumni community. This proactive engagement is vital to harness their collective wisdom, providing students and postdocs with invaluable insights into diverse career and academic pathways.
Roll out a refined mentor-mentee system that is both responsive and proactive. By doing so, we ensure that our students receive guidance that is tailored to their aspirations, promoting a culture of experiential learning.
Advocate for and facilitate interdisciplinary endeavors. By fostering cross-departmental collaborations and knowledge exchanges within JHU, we ensure that our academic environment remains vibrant, dynamic, and forward-thinking.
Reinforce and deepen connections with the JHU alumni community. Their real-world experiences and professional trajectories are a treasure trove of mentorship opportunities and practical insights for our current students.
Actively seek and nurture partnerships with industry stalwarts and renowned research entities. These collaborations amplify our academic prowess, leading to pioneering initiatives and groundbreaking research projects.
Prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in every engagement and initiative. By doing so, we ensure our approach is comprehensive, ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, feels seen, heard, and valued.

Digital & Brand Engagement

Drive digital engagement strategies, leveraging social media and other online platforms to engage and inspire our community.
Represent Johns Hopkins University in thought leadership capacities across professional associations, academic journals, and higher education forums.
Craft and share the university's story, emphasizing our commitment to pioneering career and learning solutions.

Construct robust and comprehensive assessment frameworks tailored for career design. By determining clear and actionable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), we ensure our initiatives' success is measurable, tangible, and aligned with our objectives.
Champion a culture of regular data collection and nuanced analysis. This commitment to data ensures our strategies and programs are constantly refined, staying agile and responsive to both feedback and changing academic landscapes.
Regularly solicit feedback from students, postdocs, faculty, and industry partners. By integrating this feedback into our programmatic refinements, we ensure that our offerings remain relevant, timely, and directly address the evolving needs of our community.
Ensure every career design initiative resonates with the broader goals and vision of both the department and Johns Hopkins University. This alignment not only ensures consistency and cohesion but also maximizes the overall impact of our efforts.
Conduct periodic reviews to evaluate the effectiveness of implemented strategies. By continually iterating and updating our approach based on performance metrics, we stay ahead of the curve, ensuring that our students and postdocs benefit from the best possible resources and guidance.
Commit to transparently sharing performance results with key stakeholders, reinforcing accountability, and facilitating informed decision-making on future initiatives.

Data, KPIs, and Continuous Improvement:

Construct robust and comprehensive assessment frameworks tailored for career design. By determining clear and actionable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), we ensure our initiatives' success is measurable, tangible, and aligned with our objectives.
Champion a culture of regular data collection and nuanced analysis. This commitment to data ensures our strategies and programs are constantly refined, staying agile and responsive to both feedback and changing academic landscapes.
Regularly solicit feedback from students, postdocs, faculty, and industry partners. By integrating this feedback into our programmatic refinements, we ensure that our offerings remain relevant, timely, and directly address the evolving needs of our community.
Ensure every career design initiative resonates with the broader goals and vision of both the department and Johns Hopkins University. This alignment not only ensures consistency and cohesion but also maximizes the overall impact of our efforts.
Conduct periodic reviews to evaluate the effectiveness of implemented strategies. By continually iterating and updating our approach based on performance metrics, we stay ahead of the curve, ensuring that our students and postdocs benefit from the best possible resources and guidance.
Commit to transparently sharing performance results with key stakeholders, reinforcing accountability, and facilitating informed decision-making on future initiatives.

The Ideal Candidate Profile

Our ideal candidate is not deterred by challenges; instead, they see them as opportunities for growth and innovation. They approach problem-solving with creativity and a proactive mindset, always seeking novel solutions to overcome hurdles.
In our dynamic academic environment, an open mind is essential. Our candidate approaches situations and challenges with receptivity to diverse perspectives. They thrive on learning from others and adapting to new ideas and approaches.
Feedback is a valuable tool for professional development, and our ideal candidate actively seeks it. They understand that feedback, whether positive or constructive, is the cornerstone of growth. They use feedback to continuously improve their strategies and approaches.
Building strong connections within the team is a natural talent of our candidate. They foster an environment of trust and mutual respect among team members. They recognize the unique strengths, challenges, and aspirations of each team member and tailor interactions accordingly.
Leadership is not just about achieving goals; it's about understanding and catering to the emotional and professional needs of the team. Our candidate leads with empathy, recognizing that an emotionally supported team is more productive and innovative.
Our candidate thrives in a flexible work environment. With our shift to a modern work model, they embrace a digital-first approach and use technology to stay connected and productive.
Forming meaningful and productive relationships is a core strength of our candidate. They excel in connecting with students, faculty, and external stakeholders, understanding their diverse needs, and expertly catering to them.
Our candidate is not content with the status quo. They proactively seek innovative solutions and opportunities that align with our vision, especially in scaling resources and services to meet the evolving needs of our students and postdocs.
Deeply data-driven, our candidate sets, monitors, and achieves clear outcomes. They use metrics as a guiding light for their strategies, ensuring that every initiative aligns with our department's overarching goals and contributes to our students and postdocs' success.
Our candidate has a natural ability to lead group programs, fostering collaborative and productive environments. They excel in bringing diverse stakeholders together to achieve common goals.
Proficiency in using social media and other digital platforms for engagement, branding, and outreach is a hallmark of our candidate. They understand the power of digital tools in today's interconnected world.
Prioritizing scalable, group-based interventions, our candidate ensures that our programs have a broader impact. They leverage innovative educational approaches and technologies to enhance learning experiences.

*In shaping the profile of the ideal candidate for the role of Director of Career Design at Johns Hopkins University, we believe in fostering a work environment that aligns with diverse career aspirations and values. While we encourage candidates from various backgrounds, it's helpful to recognize that this position may not be the best fit for those primarily seeking traditional counseling roles or those who prefer a different work model. Moreover, individuals who prefer working independently without much collaboration or those looking for a less dynamic work environment may want to consider their compatibility with this role. Candidates must assess their alignment with the expectations and requirements outlined in the job description to ensure a fulfilling career fit.

Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Demonstrated ability to develop and execute innovative programs, courses, events, and content that effectively scale impact across diverse constituent groups within a higher education context.
Proven track record of engaging, teaching, and energizing various constituent groups, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment.
In-depth knowledge of higher educational leadership and administration, including an understanding of higher education structure, governance, and factors influencing decision-making at private research institutions.
Familiarity with nationally recognized practices, trends, and procedures for university career and life design, with a focus on meeting the unique needs of doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows.
Ability to translate doctoral and postdoctoral experiences into valuable skills and employment opportunities demonstrated through prior experience in government, non-profit, education, or the private sector.
Proven skill in fostering new institutional relationships and leveraging professional networks with faculty, senior administrators, employers, and alumni to create opportunities and insights for students.
Experience developing and implementing effective assessment methods and articulating strategic priorities to drive continuous improvement.
A track record of providing energetic leadership, including the ability to develop and execute a visionary strategy while effectively managing, supervising, and developing staff.
Capacity to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, promoting an inclusive campus and community culture.
Demonstrated skill in effective negotiation, consensus building, and influencing institutional decisions in a decentralized environment.
The ability to be influential and manage change effectively within a highly decentralized institution.
Proficiency in analyzing information and situations to make independent judgments and decisions that drive positive outcomes.
Exceptional listening and communication skills, with the ability to communicate convincingly in both written and verbal formats.
Creative utilization of social media to increase engagement, brand presence, and influence public opinion effectively.
Strong ability to manage and delegate workloads and workflow, even under the pressure of tight deadlines.
Demonstrated skill in setting priorities in a complex environment and effectively representing the institution's perspective to external entities.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s Degree required.

Eight years of direct experience within a higher education, government, non-profit, or corporate setting.
Additional experience may substitute for required education, as permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

A commitment to continuous professional development in the fields of career design and experiential learning.
Technological proficiency, particularly with software or platforms related to career design, program management, or data analytics.
Proven problem-solving and critical thinking abilities, especially in program development and implementation.
Demonstrated proficiency in collaboration and fostering teamwork.
Exceptional communication abilities, both written and verbal, for engaging with diverse stakeholders.
Strong multicultural competency with extensive experience and working knowledge in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Proven leadership skills, knowledge of highly selective college or university settings, and familiarity with the operations of the world of work and university networks.
PhD preferred.
Experience from a research-driven institution in higher education, especially in building professional development and experiential learning programs that cater to large audiences.
Established thought leadership in a related area.
Demonstrable skills in project management, particularly in overseeing large-scale initiatives or programs.

Classified Title: Associate Director IL & LD
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Director of Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Life Design
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/04/MF
Starting Salary Range: Min $74,400 - Max $130,400 Annually ($105,000 targeted; Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Mon - Fri / 8:30 - 5:00
Exempt Status: Exempt
Location: Homewood Campus
Department name: PHutures
Personnel area: University Student Services

Total Rewards
The referenced salary range is based on Johns Hopkins University’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/

Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines:
JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.

**Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate’s conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.

The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion .

Accommodation Information

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at [email protected] . For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit accessibility.jhu.edu .

Johns Hopkins has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable. The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/ .

The following additional provisions may apply, depending on campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

Note: Job Postings are updated daily and remain online until filled.

View or Apply