Job description

Cleveland, OH

This role requires visionary leadership to proactively prepare students for the rapid advancement of technology and its transformative impact on work environments and workforce needs. Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Assistant Vice President is responsible for advancing strategic opportunities that position the University as a catalyst for a robust regional economy by promoting the retention of students within Northeast Ohio’s workforce and enhancing the development, delivery, and assessment of programs and services that foster career success for students and alumnae both nationally and globally. The Assistant Vice President leads strategic, cutting-edge initiatives in career development, preparation, education and exploration, recruitment services, pre-professional advising, employer relations, and the seamless integration of emerging technologies. The role also encompasses responsibility for fiscal management, staff development, and short- and long-term planning to ensure programs remain agile and nimble to respond to evolving industry demands. Additionally, the Assistant Vice President is charged with the strategic communication of the value and impact of post-graduate planning and experiential education to students, parents, faculty, alumni, and trustees at Case Western Reserve University.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Develop and implement best-in-class, long-range strategic plans and innovative programs aligned with the mission and vision of a world-class Research I institution. Provide visionary and collaborative leadership for cross-functional liaison initiatives with academic departments, schools and the College, faculty, Enrollment, Student Affairs, University Development, International Affairs, Alumni Relations, and other key institutional stakeholders. Work closely with CWRU Corporate Engagement to develop and offer a unified, campus-wide approach to strategically and operationally integrating experiential education—such as internships, co-ops, practica, research, and student entrepreneurship—into students’ academic and career development, beginning in the first year and continuing through graduation. Partner with Undergraduate Advising Support to provide pre-professional pathways, including pre-medical, pre-health, and pre-law, are fully embedded within career education resources, programming, and professional networks to support students’ holistic career preparation and success. (25%)
2. Serve as a strategic advisor to university leadership and represent the university in engagement with leaders from industry, government, non-governmental organizations, and educational institutions to advance career opportunities for students and alumni in alignment with the University’s mission. Proactively cultivate new partnerships with external organizations to support regional economic development while expanding national and global employment pipelines for students and graduates. Establish and sustain strategic alliances with domestic and international corporate, governmental, educational, and nonprofit partners. Key responsibilities include representing the University on the Cleveland Talent Alliance, under the auspices of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, and supporting the continued development and success of the University’s Corporate Engagement Center. (25%)
3. In alignment with strategic enrollment initiatives, lead the ongoing adaptation and enhancement of programs and services to meet the evolving needs of a multifaceted student population, including international and out-of-state students. Ensure offerings remain relevant, inclusive, and supportive of all students as they navigate academic and career development pathways. (15%)
4. Supervise personnel charged with facilitating the campus-wide career education and post- graduation plans of students and graduates, with a particular emphasis on career exploration, employer relations, and a robust and varied offering of experiential education opportunities. Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate professional staff members, and a varying number of student employees. Provide leadership and professional development for departmental staff consistent with professional goals. (15%)
5. Provide strategic leadership for the management of the outcomes assessment and documentation of programs and services, including the career development, internship experiences, and post-graduate plans of Case Western Reserve University students. Link assessment to divisional and departmental goals and identify shared metrics at both levels. (10%)
6. Responsible for the management of the departmental operating budget and grants including forecasting expenditures and revenues, maintaining records, applying for and managing grants, and linking program objectives and assessment to the annual budget process. Manage the departmental discretionary budget in support of program objectives, staff salaries, and contribution to the departmental operating budget. (10%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Identify and cultivate experiential learning opportunities—including internships, cooperative education, and study abroad programs—that align with academic goals and enable students to maximize use of the summer term for coursework and participate in semester-away experiences during the spring or summer. Perform other duties as assigned. (<1%)

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct supervision responsibilities for the Senior Associate Director of Career Education, Associate Director of Employer Relations, Assistant Director of Experiential Learning (total supervised is nine employees).

CONTACTS

• Department: Daily, continuous contact with all full-time and part-time professional, clerical and student employee staff members in Post-Graduate Planning and Experiential Education in order to ensure the strategic and operational goals of the unit are being met. Regular contact with members of the Division of Student Affairs, including weekly contact with the other divisional directors, as part of the Executive Leadership Committee. This committee is responsible for developing strategies, allocating resources, and providing the direction necessary for the division to achieve the president’s goals of increasing student retention, graduation, and satisfaction.
• University: Establish, build, and maintain strong partnerships with the Offices of the President and Provost, academic deans, and the senior administration of the university to ensure students’ post-graduate plans and experiential education remain an institutional priority. Regular contact with staff in the offices of Alumni Relations and Corporate Relations to build partnerships with alumni and corporations; regular contact with the offices of Campus Enrichment & Engagement, Center for Civic Engagement and Learning, Student Affairs, and Flora Stone Mather Center for Women, Graduate Studies, and Student Employment, in order to collaboratively support student success; moderate contact with Enrollment Management and University Communications for marketing purposes; occasional contact with University Relations and Development, Undergraduate Studies, Human Resources, Registrar, and General Counsel. Serve on a number of committees and university task forces representing student opinions and views to staff, faculty and alumni.
• External: Regular and on-going contact with the following: local, national and international businesses, corporations and foundations; alumni; University Circle institutions; neighborhood and community organizations, non-governmental agencies; contractors; vendors; city offices; parents; and alumni and community entrepreneurs. To discuss potential interest in recruiting Case Western Reserve University students for internships, entrepreneurships, and career opportunities.
• Students: Frequent interaction with students and alumni in a counseling and advising capacity; occasional contact with prospective students and families to answer questions about outcomes for Case Western Reserve University students and the kind of post-graduate and experiential support their student will receive. Occasional interaction with student leaders and organization members to provide financial and programmatic support to their initiatives and career development needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience: 10 or more years of combined university career services and/or corporate recruitment management experience required.
• Education: Master’s degree required.

REQUIRED SKILLS

1. Evidence of an understanding of and commitment to the importance of the connection between an experiential education and the pursuit of career options commensurate with formal academic preparation.
2. Demonstrated public relations/marketing abilities to be used on behalf of the university as a whole and the career services specifically.
3. Thorough understanding of and commitment to the goals and responsibilities of the centralized career services concept on a research campus.
4. Demonstrated understanding of and experience in utilizing student career development theory and ability to articulate current employment relations trends in higher education.
5. Nationwide professional contacts in both the university and employment sectors. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
6. Effective organizational and management skills are essential and demonstrated supervisory and budget administration experience is additionally required.
7. Thorough understanding of the technological innovations and advances within the area of career services, with an emphasis in higher education.
8. Ability to meet consistent attendance.
9. Ability to effectively interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers face to face.
10. Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.

WORKING CONDITIONS
General office environment.

How to apply

We invite interested, qualified applicants to browse the CWRU website jobs.case.edu and APPLY