Assistant Director, Undergraduate Career Development

About American University and Position

American University, situated in Washington, DC, is a renowned student-focused research institution with prestigious schools, distinguished faculty, and a commitment to fostering impactful societal change. This role is housed within the Kogod School of Business and involves full-time duties on a hybrid schedule requiring on-campus presence 3-4 days per week. It is part of the SEIU Local 500 collective bargaining unit.

Role Summary

The Assistant Director of Undergraduate Career Development plays a vital part in assisting business students and alumni with career planning and job placement strategies. This position involves personalized coaching, career resource development, workshop facilitation, and collaboration with faculty and external partners. The goal is to prepare students comprehensively for entering the competitive business labor market.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver one-on-one career advising tailored to students’ individual career interests, strengths, and goals using assessment tools and exploration exercises.
• Offer coaching on resume and cover letter preparation, job search methods, networking, interview techniques, personal branding, and salary negotiations.
• Design and facilitate workshops, seminars, and curricular sessions to support professional growth and career readiness.
• Collaborate with faculty, student organizations, and external partners to align career support services with academic curricula and student needs.
• Maintain detailed records of coaching interactions and track student outcomes, adapting programs based on feedback and industry trends.
• Participate in outreach activities such as job fairs, treks, and conferences, including domestic and international travel.
• Engage in continuous professional development to stay current with best practices and labor market changes.
• Contribute to special projects, commit to team goals, and represent the career development office as a subject matter expert.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required with 5 to 8 years of pertinent experience; 8 to 10 years preferred.
• Strong background in career coaching or counseling, including interpretive skills for career assessments.
• Knowledge of career development theories, higher education career services, and an understanding of business career landscapes.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, presentation, and computer skills; ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, recognizing the varied needs of traditional and non-traditional students.
• Desirable credentials include coaching certification and prior experience in business education settings.

Competencies and Values

• Customer orientation, evaluating and applying innovative ideas, planning, sound decision-making, and team-building abilities.
• Attributes including collaboration, high-quality results, creativity, ongoing learning, and inclusive leadership.

Work Environment and Schedule

• Standard full-time exempt role requiring approximately 35 hours per week, Monday through Friday with occasional evenings and weekends.
• Hybrid work modality requiring presence on campus 3-4 days per week.
• Domestic and international travel is part of the responsibilities.

Salary and Benefits

This position offers a salary range from $75,000 to $83,296 annually along with access to competitive university benefits. Employment is contingent upon successful background checks. Staff must reside in the DC, Maryland, or Virginia areas or work partly onsite.

Additional Information

American University is an equal opportunity employer compliant with applicable laws, providing a nondiscriminatory environment based on multiple protected categories. Job duties may evolve over time. Current university employees must apply internally via designated processes.