*Executive Director of Price College of Business Career Development Center at University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma

Job Description:

The University of Oklahoma Michael F. Price College of Business seeks an experienced, entrepreneurial, and student-centered leader to develop and implement a comprehensive and innovative career development strategy to provide a best-in-class career development experience for all Price College students (undergraduate and graduate), alumni and employers and achieve excellent student employment outcomes. In support of the College’s strategic plan, this position provides an exciting opportunity for the chosen candidate to build a new career development center, with substantial support from the Dean, Academic Divisions, Advancement team and University Marketing and Communications.

Reporting to the Dean and serving as a member of the College’s Executive Committee, the Executive Director of Career Development serves as the College’s “chief career officer” and provides strategic direction and management for a team of 14-16 full-time and part-time professionals and 2-4 student workers organized around employer recruiting operations and undergraduate and graduate student career management. The ED will be responsible for creating the necessary roles and overseeing the recruiting process to fill them. The ED manages the Center’s budget and builds and sustains revenue through career events, corporate sponsorships, and other revenue-generation opportunities.

The ED collaborates closely with the College’s Associate Deans, Academic Division Directors, Undergraduate and Graduate Program Directors, Faculty members, Advancement Office, and Price Executive Academy, as well as the University’s Marketing and Communications, Alumni Affairs, Career Center and Graduate College, corporate and ed-tech partners to create innovative partnerships, programs, internships, and opportunities that will serve students from their first year to their post-graduate careers.

Primary Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a forward-thinking vision and strategy for career development in consultation with the Dean and other critical stakeholders that aligns with the College's goals and objectives.


• Collaborate with the Dean, faculty, and other stakeholders to integrate career development initiatives into the curriculum and co-curricular activities.


• Develop and implement services and programs that advance student and alumni access to career education resources, opportunities, and networks to further the Center’s mission.


• Oversee and support the teaching of relevant career courses across the college.


• Develop and implement scalable career development solutions to influence and equip students throughout the student life cycle.


• Develop and manage an employer advisory council to advise on center strategy, policies and operations.


• Elevate and grow a culture of internships and experiential learning opportunities for all students; increase student participation through relationships with faculty and employers.


• Continuously review the center’s structure, programs/services, and overall effectiveness; identify emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges, particularly as they relate to the world of work, and adjust the center’s strategy accordingly.


• Contribute in measurable ways to the College’s retention, persistence, graduation and student success goals of undergraduate and graduate students.

People Leader and Manager

• Manage and lead all Center full-time and part-time staff and student workers for undergraduate and graduate students, including specialized master’s students.


• Align the work of the graduate career services team to the overall strategy of career success for the college. 


• Foster a culture of continuous quality improvement and set organizational goals and objectives with performance metrics to measure progress and success.


• Ensure the staff is knowledgeable, inclusive, welcoming, and eager to serve. Particular focus should be placed on developing staff to serve clients from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.


• Develop and implement organizational policies and procedures to ensure compliance with legal requirements and industry best practices.


• Provide professional development opportunities to all team members.
  
  

Communication and Collaboration

• Develop and implement a college-wide communication strategy, in collaboration with OU Marketing and Communications, to promote the vision and services available to all Price students and alumni.


• Represent the College to recruiting partners in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Dallas-Fort Worth, and other regional areas and beyond.


• Represent the College by making presentations, writing letters and articles, and communicating information on career education and work-related issues to the media, alumni, employers, graduate schools, community groups, and students.


• Serves as the College's primary representative for career education and career design issues for students and recent alumni.


• Serve on college and university committees and assist with special projects as requested by the Dean.


• Collaborate with the university career center on university-wide initiatives and with OU Online on providing career development services for Price College online program graduate students.


• Participate in regional, national, and international professional and industry associations and seek leadership roles when possible.

Assessment, Analysis and Reporting

•  Assess student learning outcomes and use data-guided decision-making to inform center strategy.


• Identify employer and job market trends and share this information widely with college constituents.


• Manage robust data collection processes and a data analyst to provide semi-annual impact reports and annual reports highlighting student employment outcomes and innovative programs and services.


• Collaborate with university marketing and communications to ensure a broad distribution of reports to stakeholders through multiple media and channels.


• Support the college's efforts to report relevant information for AASCB accreditation, rankings, and other external metrics.


• Guide the ongoing use of assessment tools and data collection techniques; monitor key performance indicators to gauge the effectiveness of Center efforts and determine effective means of providing service; ensure the compilation and distribution of career outcomes data, including first destination and alumni surveys; and research employment trends affecting career opportunities and preparation of students while benchmarking College outcomes against those of peer institutions.

Budgeting and Resourcing

• Manage center income and expense budgets, plan strategically for future fiscal years, and identify new opportunities for additional funding and support.


• Collaborate with the College’s Advancement team to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors to support the Career Development Center.


• Pursue revenue-generating activities, such as career fairs and corporate career events, to ensure sufficient financial resources for the center.

Technology and Facilities Management

• Manage Handshake operations (in cooperation with OU Career Center) and People Grove operations (in collaboration with Alumni Relations Coordinator).


• Maximize the creative and effective use of technology to enhance the center's ability to provide efficient and world-class service.


• Provide facility management of all career development spaces.

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, current resume, and three references as one document, either in Word or PDF. The file name should start with your first name and then your last name, such as “John Doe—OU Price College of Business Application.” This should be emailed to search@careerleadershipcollective.com with the subject “Application for OU Price College of Business Executive Director.”

To be considered, interested applicants should submit the requested materials no later than Monday, June 17, 2024, 11:59 EDT.

Required Education: Masters degree in a related field, AND:

• 60 months of related experience.

Skills:

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with career development theory, techniques, and data-driven program assessment tools.


• Competency with career development industry trends and best practices to guide continuous data collection, monitor key performance indicators, and gauge the effectiveness of Center programs and services.


• Experience in building successful partnerships with employers across multiple sectors.


• A robust understanding of and passion for the transforming global workplace, especially concerning the skills gap, generational shifts, and the use of AI and other tools at work.


• Substantial experience managing staff and budgets and developing collaborative partnerships across diverse and complex professional environments.


• Demonstrated knowledge of the higher education environment and business schools.


• Demonstrated ability to partner with University Advancement professionals in cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors.


• Demonstrated commitment to the highest ethical standards of professional practice and personal and professional integrity.


• Ability to work independently and to delegate effectively.


• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and stakeholders.


• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor and uphold confidentiality.


• Strong oral and written communication skills, including public speaking.


• Strong interpersonal and networking skills, including emotional and cultural intelligence.


• Demonstrated effectiveness in leading large teams by building trust and effective collaboration.


• Ability and commitment to working with people from diverse backgrounds.

 Advertised Physical Requirements:

• Ability to engage in repetitive motions.


• Standard Office Environment.

Supervision: Executive Director, eventually supervising 4 staff members

Special Instructions: If you are selected as a final candidate for this position, you will be subject to The University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Tuberculosis Testing policy.  To view the policy, visit https://hr.ou.edu/Policies-Handbooks/TB-Testing.

Why You Belong at the University of Oklahoma: The University of Oklahoma fosters an inclusive culture of respect and civility, belonging, and access, which are essential to our collective pursuit of excellence and our determination to change lives. The unique talents, perspectives, and experiences of our community enrich the learning, and working environment at OU, inspiring us to harness our innovation, creativity, and collaboration for the advancement of people everywhere.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The University of Oklahoma, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid, housing, services in educational programs or activities, and health care services that the University operates or provides.

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