Department
Harris School Career Readiness

Job Summary
As a key member of the Harris School of Public Policy's Career Development Office, the Director, Career Development Systems, Data, and Operations is responsible for systems administration, vendor and data management, event logistics, student communications. The Director ensures operational excellence, accurate reporting, and seamless student experiences across career service functions (career coaching and employer partnerships).
This role reports to the Associate Dean of Career Services and will have two reports. One direct report will have a dotted line to Career Coaching and one report will have a dotted line to Employer Partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and maintain all career services technology platforms, including career management systems (e.g., HarrisLink, VMock, DevEx), student databases (Salesforce), and be the primary CDO team lead for other shared school resources (HubSpot, JotForm, Monday.com, Slate, etc.), websites, and other digital properties.
• Lead the team's AI adoption and operating policy, including AI tools for students, employers, and communications, coordination of an AI user group, and development of AI-enabled tools and presentations.
• Own and manage relationships with external vendors and service providers related to career services platforms, events, and workshops.
• Track operational metrics and identify opportunities for process improvement within career service systems and workflows, for both career coaching and employer partnerships teams.
• Ensures coordination of operational systems, data, and event logistics to support the collaborative efforts between the career coaching team and employer partnerships team, maximizing student access to opportunities and resources.
• Oversee the management and coordination of the logistics of career-related events across career coaching and employer partnerships, such as workshops, panels, conferences, fairs, treks, and networking events.
• Develop and execute comprehensive communications plans for students regarding career services events, initiatives, resources, and opportunities. Oversee and manage schedule of students communications and identify opportunities for automation.
• Support the employer partnerships team in streamlining communications to employers and alumni, including seeking opportunities for automation.
• Standardize employer and student communication templates across Salesforce, Outlook, and HarrisLink, and oversee off-cycle graduate communications and ongoing improvement of HarrisLink newsletters.
• Oversee the collection, validation, and analysis of career outcomes data, including post graduation employment and internships as well as other outcomes (graduate school, starting business, etc.); coordinate outcomes surveys; generate reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop and manage process to maintain accurate alumni career information to be made available to staff using Harris Salesforce.
• Conducts complex job search and career management related large lectures, hands-on workshops, special events, training programs, and one-on-one career coaching sessions. Acts as a lead resource for and directs students to other career resources as needed.
• Analyzes markets and trends as they relate to job searches. Assesses student feedback and evaluations and collaborates with other career services staff members, student organizations, or other staff to determine program offerings and innovations.
• Works independently to write timely and effective articles about career management topics for a variety of student publications. Conceptualizes, develops, and delivers career management programming and published materials.
• Researches organizations that are hiring and partners with a wide variety of employers to ensure recruitment strategies meet their needs. Maintains contact with a portfolio of employers to serve as their dedicated Career Advancement liaison.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in operations, data management, event planning, or student services, preferably in higher education.
• Demonstrated expertise in system administration and data analysis, including familiarity with relevant platforms (e.g., Symplicity, VMock, MS Office Suite, Salesforce).

Preferred Competencies

• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Experience with vendor management and event logistics.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build internal and external relationships with broad constituencies; a demonstrated commitment to customer service; and the ability to work both independently and in a team environment.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid Work Schedule.
• May require some evening and weekend hours as needed.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
Student Affairs & Services

Role Impact
Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5

Drug Test Required
No

Health Screen Required
No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No

Pay Rate Type
Salary

FLSA Status
Exempt

Pay Range
$104,500.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.