Director of External Relations and Career Communities

Job no:

R-0000001116

Position Title:

Director of External Relations and Career Communities

Faculty or Staff:

Staff

Full Time or Part Time:

Full time

In-Person, Hybrid, or Remote:

In-Person

Minimum Starting Rate of Pay:

$90,000.00

Rate of pay commensurate with experience

Start Date:

08/09/2024

Job Description:

About The Career Development Center

The Career Development Center (CDC) at Mount Holyoke College fosters lives of intent and purpose through career curiosity, confidence, and knowledge. The Career Development Center places an emphasis on all aspects of career development, including exploring interests, refining career paths, building relevant skills and connections, and gaining practical, high-impact experiences. Career readiness at Mount Holyoke College is a strategic institutional priority and as a highly utilized resource on campus, the CDC engages with high quantities of students, employers, and alums.

Position Summary

Mount Holyoke College is currently seeking a Director of External Relations and Career Communities. This person will be a member of the Career Development senior team, and instrumental in the development of a newly envisioned career readiness program. This role will take leadership on the direction of the CDC’s external relationships by cultivating rewarding partnerships with alums and employers. The Director will work closely with campus partners in development, the alumnae association, academic centers and with our faculty. Additionally, this role will engage our five-college partners with which we share employer partnerships.

With oversight of the External Relations and Career Communities team, the Director of External Relations will work closely with the Executive Director to reimagine, and build out industry related career communities.

Three key aspects of this position will include:

Employer Partnerships: lead the recruiting team to manage all employer relationships, domestically and internationally, with a high level of customer service and a commitment to inclusive excellence. Stay abreast and aware of industry trends, hiring and recruiting practices, job market outlooks, and related issues. Develop and enforce student and employer policies regarding job postings and recruiting practices.

Career Communities: as a new initiative at MHC, this role will be tasked with engaging alumnae and employer partners to develop and share industry expertise, career advice and develop professional networks. Build industry specific programming such as mock interviews and alum panels to prepare students in an intentional, specialized manner. Lead full or multi-day industry trek/immersion trips in partnership with the alumnae association, development, and local and regional alumnae clubs to create opportunities for students to engage with alums and employers.

Leadership: manage the employer relations team of two plus the career community leads (4) to ensure high-quality service with attention and rigor on inclusive recruiting standards. Lead team meetings and professional development, while encouraging participation in local, regional and national professional organizations (NACE, EACE, LACN, etc.). Continuously assess programs, services, and relationships in order to adapt, enhance or create opportunities to fit the ever changing needs of the student population, and our employer partners. Collaborates closely with Executive Director and Senior Associate Director of Experience and Education to develop, maintain and assess an inclusive, accessible, cohesive career development program aligned with a liberal arts education. Lead initiatives and conversations with Development and the Alumnae Association, and manage relationships with external constituents. Assists with developing training and support for CDC staff to foster an open and inclusive work environment.

Qualifications

Master's degree and at least five years of professional experience in university/college or industry recruiting setting. Leadership experience in a higher education or recruiting environment with significant management and cross-functional leadership responsibilities. Strong professional experience in employer recruiting and network development with demonstrated results. Dynamic leadership qualities, including strategic planning, collaboration, and communication skills. Comfort sharing and receiving feedback; responsible; creative; enthusiastic; deadline-oriented; able to work independently. Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and holding a high level of accountability for inclusive standards in all programming and relationship management. Ability to manage multiple priorities, assess and evaluate short and long term goals. Familiarity with data collection, analysis, and use of data in decision-making.

Preferred Qualifications

Understanding of the value of a liberal arts education, and an understanding of the benefits and challenges of employer relations and professional preparation for students in a liberal arts setting. A demonstrated commitment to principles of community and diversity, and the ability and desire to effectively and consistently relate to and collaborate with a diverse population of students, faculty, alums, and professionals from all social identities, academic areas, and professional fields.

This is a 12-month position reporting to the Executive Director of the Career Development Center. Occasional evening and/or weekend work is required, as well as some travel. This position is eligible to participate in a hybrid work schedule, contingent upon time of year and operational needs. Other duties may be assigned by the Executive Director.

License/Certifications

N/A

Working Conditions

Regular evening and weekend hours are involved, and the ability to travel is required.

Direct reports

• Assistant Director of Employer Relations; Assistant Director of External Relations
  
  
  

Special Instructions for Applicants

Apply online by application deadline. Application materials must include 1) a cover letter summarizing interests and qualifications, 2) a complete resume or curriculum vitae, and 3) contact information for 3 professional references.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

Mount Holyoke College complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Human Resources Department at 413-538-2503.

Mount Holyoke College is committed to enriching the educational experience it offers through the diversity of its faculty, administration, and staff members. Mount Holyoke seeks to recruit and support a broadly diverse team who will contribute to the college's excellence, diversity of viewpoints and experiences, and relevance in a global society. In furtherance of institutional excellence, the College encourages applications from individuals from underrepresented groups, including faculty, staff, and administration of color, diverse gender identities, first generation college students and individuals who have followed non-traditional pathways to college, and individuals with a demonstrated leadership commitment to including diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Mount Holyoke College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Background Checks:

Mount Holyoke College is committed to providing a safe and secure environment, supported by qualified employees that will allow all of its students, faculty, staff and those associated with them to successfully carry out the mission of the college. As a condition of employment, the College will conduct appropriate background checks for all new hires. Mount Holyoke has designated the Office of Human Resources as the office responsible for ensuring that background checks (CORI, SORI, Credit History, & Driver Credential) are completed and utilized in the hiring process and Five College Office of Compliance and Risk Management as the office responsible for facilitating background checks as articulated in this policy.

Special Instructions for Applicants:

Apply online; application materials must include:

• A cover letter summarizing interests and qualifications
• A complete resume or curriculum vitae
• For faculty positions, statements on mentoring, teaching, and research will also be required.
  
  
  

Mount Holyoke College is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)

Mount Holyoke College, the leading gender-diverse women’s college, is dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities for all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status. We are a diverse community of staff, faculty, and students, united in our mission to offer an intellectually adventurous education in the liberal arts through academic programs that are renowned internationally for their cross-disciplinary excellence, experiential approach, and commitment to diversity.

Mount Holyoke College is a welcoming and inclusive environment that values and respects individuals of all backgrounds. As an EOE, we encourage members of historically underrepresented groups or nontraditional backgrounds to apply for open positions at our institution. The College has a long-standing tradition of providing women and other historically underrepresented groups with access to an innovative educational experience that prepares students for purposeful leadership by integrating hands-on opportunities into the curriculum. We firmly believe that diversity enriches our community and enhances our ability to prepare students for success in an increasingly globalized world.

We are dedicated to providing equal opportunities for all qualified applicants and to building an exemplary workforce that reflects the diversity of our student body and the communities we serve. Our ultimate goal is to produce graduates who are capable of engaging thoughtfully, effectively, and boldly with the world.