Department: SoC Administration
Salary/Grade: EXS/7

Job Summary:

The School of Communication at Northwestern University seeks a dynamic and experienced professional to serve as an Associate Director within the Office of External Programs, Internships, & Career Services (EPICS). This person will work closely with School of Communication students, employers, alumni, faculty, and staff. They will serve as the EPICS lead liaison to between 80-100 students in the Master of Science in Communication (MSC) program. They will report to the Director of Academic & Career Management (EPICS Director).

Occasional evening and regularly scheduled Saturdays (minimum 2 per quarter) are required to support the MSC program. May require travel to support employer development management.

Specific Responsibilities:

Career Coaching

• Develops programs and services that provide customer service oriented, student-centered career coaching based on individual circumstances, preferences, etc. and in compliance with all associated policies, rules, and regulations.
• Implements/provides personalized career coaching for current students that focuses on self-assessment, research, personal branding, job and internship search strategies, reflection, and strategic planning/decision making.
• Connects students with alumni and professionals for employment opportunities. Maintains knowledge of job market trends and hiring practices in a range of fields.
• Provides oversight to International students’ career management, collaborating with the International Office on student visa and compliance issues regarding work restrictions/opportunities.
• Operationalizes goals and objectives; ensures that career resources are created or obtained
• Manage employer relations efforts for a select group of employers including the development of new relationships/management of current relationships with employer and alumni partners to secure and maintain new and existing internship, full-time, freelance, and/or practicum opportunities.

Experiential Learning

• Collaborates with the Associate Director, EPICS, Office of Undergraduate Programs and Advising (OUPA), SoC, faculty and staff, NCA and other campus, alumni and employer partners to support curricular and co-curricular opportunities through summer transition programs, internship, first year, module and senior seminar initiatives to help prepare students for an entry-level career.
• Works with stakeholders to ensure that curricular initiatives meet program/learning goals and other assessment outcomes.
• Contributes to EPICS and OUPA programs such as lectures, speaker series, workshops, conferences, trainings, cultural events etc. in collaboration with internal & external stakeholders.
• Oversees the undergraduate internship program and suite of courses, including the regulation of applications, vetting of host sites, development and management of program assessment, and overseeing all student and employer correspondence. Teach sections of the internship class when scheduled by the Dean’s office. May teach other sections of EPICS/SoC experiential learning courses (Senior Seminar or other professional development course) as needed .
• Manages program logistics for the EPICS undergraduate summer internship courses.
• Oversee the Alumni Advisory Boards for the School of Communication's module program; Collaborate with Alumni Relations & Development to identify and manage new alumni for engagement with undergraduate Modules and other SoC initiatives. Work with faculty, academic advisors and other SoC staff to manage and coordinate modular programming. Plans and coordinates school-wide career events in collaboration with the EPICS team.
• Oversee international seminar programs to London, Prague and Qatar when scheduled. Manage the application process for undergraduate applications and the development and management of program assessment for evaluation and selection of candidates. Manage nearly $170K to plan seminar programs and immersion trips as directed by SoC.

Employer Relations

• Partners with internal/external departments, faculty, alumni and employers to identify career pathways and create an outreach plan to engage organizations that will result in opportunities spanning a broad range of industries and geographies, especially in theatre and the performing arts. Identifies opportunities and develops strategies for connecting students with alumni and industry experts who will provide academic and/or career resources such as mentoring, coaching, lectures, workshops etc.
• Develops and implements initiatives to enhance the quality and quantity of organizations that recruit on campus, targeting alternative and non-traditional organizations and those not currently participating.
• Builds and nurtures increasing numbers of new relationships with a diverse array of alumni and employers that will increase program profile, University reputation and visibility. This includes utilizing a CRM to track alumni career information and interactions with alumni.

Administration

• Manages administrative processes and practices ensuring the seamless flow of work and services.
• Research market/economic conditions and implements changes that improve resources and services.
• Supervise graduate intern and/or student employee;

Accounting/Budget

• Proposes budget for programs and services to support the unit's strategic plan.  
• Manages budget for programs accountable for all expenditures.   
• Develops and implements ideas for improving business processes.                 

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a Master's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience;
• Minimum 2 years’ professional experience in career services, corporate recruiting/employer relations, industry, and/or other relevant experience.

Minimum Competencies:

• Excellent communication skills, strong organization skills, and a high degree of creativity and initiative are essential;
• Self-starter, able to work professionally both independently and with others;
• Self-confidence and the ability to take ideas and translate them into actionable plans;
• Ability to work with students, employers, and alumni;
• Ability to work in a complex collaborative environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Higher Education, MBA, and/or a related field;
• Previous experience working with students and/or employers in an academic setting.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Knowledge and interest in all aspects of the School of Communication curriculum and industries;
• Experience with teaching/instructional design/curriculum development;
• Experience with Handshake or other career services software platforms.
• Experience with various social media channels.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts, and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare, and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern requires all staff and faculty to be vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to limited exceptions. For more information, please visit our COVID-19 and Campus Updates website.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.
  

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