Associate Director, Creative Professions & Strategic Initiatives

Reporting to the Director, Employer Engagement and ultimately to the Associate Vice Provost for Career and Professional Development, the Associate Director for Events, Promotions, and Creative Professions will provide career coaching to students primarily interested in creative careers (including but not limited to entertainment & media; fashion, lifestyle, & design; and fine arts & performing arts). The successful candidate will be charged with developing, supporting, maintaining, and overseeing high quality innovative programs, advanced resources, and targeted events in Career and Professional Development (CPD) and as the liaison to the School of Film and Television and College of Fine Arts. The Associate Director will also manage the Event and Promotions Coordinator position providing leadership and strategy of our events and promotions, brand strategy, and public relations, as well as a team of Peer Advisors and Graduate Assistants.

Position Specific Responsibilities/Accountabilities

Creative Professions:

• Provide one-on-one career coaching to students interested in creative careers. Implement unique workshops, information sessions, employer site visits, and industry panels to introduce students to a wide range of careers within creative industries.

• Serve as the official liaison to both the College of Communication and Fine Arts (CFA) and the School of Film and Television (SFTV), coordinate two large-scale signature networking events for students considering careers in creative fields. Collaborate with college/school leadership to identify host committee members. Cultivate student interest and provide post-event programming designed to allow students to capitalize on what they learned.

• Cultivate and maintain employer relationships within creative industries. Connect with employers and alumni to cultivate experiential engagement opportunities. Promote opportunities to students, faculty, and campus partners.

• Manage one large-scale experiential event that addresses underserved aspects of workforce development, connecting potential employers to LMU, engaging alumni, and expanding the quality of meaningful student interaction with CPD.

• Manage one graduate assistant. Train, mentor, and guide them in developing focused programmatic content for CPD. Provide direction and oversight on graduate projects based on career services and/or creative industry research.

• Work closely with campus partners, including Ethnic & Intercultural Services, Mane Entertainment and Del Rey Players; delivering relevant programs, opportunities and support to these groups.

• Serve as an active contributor to the Division of Enrollment Management and Career and Professional Development, participating in campus-wide events and committees as requested.

• Contribute fully to the career services profession, representing the university through involvement in national and regional professional associations, and in strategic partnerships with LMU employers, alumni, parents, and other external stakeholders.

Events and Promotions:

• Establish CPD’s internal and external communications and promotional strategy, working closely with LMU’s Marketing & Communications department, managing our brand presence and communication for students, alumni, and employers; oversee the development of CPD’s integrated email marketing communications, social media presence, and printed and digital materials.

• Supervise, coach, and evaluate the Event and Promotions Coordinator. Train, mentor, and guide them in developing CPD branded promotional content, including digital and print resources including careers.lmu.edu. Provide strategic oversight and guidance on CPD event production elements and program calendar oversight.

• Lead strategic direction of CPD’s events and programs for students and external stakeholders and maintain strong relationships with LMU’s Events & Conferences team; advise CPD staff, students, and strategic partners on CPD event production standards and promotion requirements.

• Establish policies, procedures, and goals for department communications and events in collaboration with Associate Vice Provost; develop best practices for event management in Smartsheet, and develop and oversee CPD’s annual event calendar.

• Collaborate with the Director of Employer Engagement on employer-related events, communications, and strategic outreach.

• Collaborate with the Director of Career Education & Outcomes on developing career readiness resources and coaching tools for the department; support the ongoing vision and maintenance of the CPD website careers.lmu.edu.

• Oversee the department’s marketing and event budget and resources including tracki