Assistant Director, Career Services

Department
 

BSD OME - Office of Master's Education

About the Department
 

The Office of Master’s Education (OME) is the home of academic and professional training within the Biological Sciences Division (BSD). The OME was established in 2019 to provide graduate training that helps students become more competitive for careers in healthcare and the biological sciences, with a primary focus on Master’s degrees, Certificates, and non-credit educational offerings. Our mission is to develop and implement high-impact graduate-level educational programs that leverage the expertise of the BSD, create and improve career outcomes for students, and align with the strategic initiatives of clinical and basic science departments. Currently the OME oversees four BSD Masters programs: MS in Public Health Sciences for Clinical Professionals, Master of Public Health, MS in Precision Health, and MS in Biomedical Sciences, with growth plans for new additional degree programs in the next five years.

Job Summary
 

The Assistant Director of Career Services will serve as an integral member of the BSD Office of Masters Education (OME) with the main responsibility of providing professionally-oriented masters students with the essential tools and resources to better prepare and position themselves for success in the pursuit of their career goals. Leveraging expertise in employer relations and career advising, the successful candidate will develop a strategic vision for career services and lead master’s program staff across the division in accomplishing that vision. In addition, the Assistant Director of Career Services will provide mentorship and resources to students interested in academic career paths (e.g. doctoral programs, medical school, etc.). The Assistant Director of Career Services will work closely with other career services personnel embedded in Divisional programs, as well as additional allied campus partners in the Biological Sciences Division, UChicago GRAD, and Career Advancement Offices. This position is eligible for a flexible work arrangement if desired, with some in-office presence required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive career placement strategy for each Masters program (Masters, certificate, and non-credit offerings), working with each programs’ leadership, and serving as the chief Divisional liaison for the Masters and other programs to important campus partners like UChicagoGrad and MyChoice.

• Evaluates staffing and resource gaps and designs recommendations for career services and employer relations growth to divisional leadership.

• Provide leadership and vision as the composition of each program continues to grow and evolve. Develop new strategies to support the student population that is growing in size with both domestic and international students.

• Leads and convenes career services and employer relations staff within the BSD’s programs to foster collaboration and ensure alignment with the OME’s goals.

• Manage the career placement aspirations for each Masters and other educational programs, tailoring workshops, alumni mentors, internship opportunities, and career exploration events to feature emergent student interests, and prepare students for career alternatives that are vital for each program’s ability to recruit talented students to the University.

• Track and analyze the effectiveness of career service events and workshops, developing metrics to shape future planning, and operational budgets, as well as improve internship opportunities, job placement outcomes, and student satisfaction.

• Produce annual career placement reports for each program, detailing the number of students who were successful in landing career-track positions within six months of graduation.

• Analyze the competitive landscape of programs at other institutions to develop strategies to enhance the career development opportunities and employer relations.

• Expand and enhance the University’s corporate network through marketing and outreach strategies and meetings with employers and alumni to increase resources and employment opportunities to students.

• Conduct complex career management related large lectures, hands-on workshops, special events, training programs, and one-on-one career coaching sessions. Act as the lead resource for and direct students to other career resources as needed.

• Potential to hire, manage, mentor, and supervise junior career service staff and a number of occasional student workers pending performance and office needs.

• Assist OME leadership in all important aspects, as a key member of our core leadership team.

• Advises and counsels students concerning employment opportunities and careers by acting as a liaison between students and pro