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Associate Director, Career Development

Applications Close: Oct 20, 2026

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

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Job Summary:

The Associate Director, Career Development provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the career development functions of the Center for Career and Professional Development. Reporting to the Assistant Vice Provost for Experiential Learning and Professional Development, this position leads a comprehensive portfolio of career education services designed to prepare students and alumni for successful career outcomes, including career coaching, career education programming, career readiness initiatives, and career-related resources.

The Associate Director supervises a team of five Assistant Directors responsible for delivering high-quality, student-centered career services. Working collaboratively with colleagues responsible for experiential learning and employer relations, the Associate Director helps create an integrated career ecosystem that connects career exploration, experiential learning, employer engagement, and post-graduation success. The position uses assessment and career outcomes data to inform strategy, improve services, and advance the Center's mission in support of RPI students and institutional priorities.

Who we are:

Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is the first technological research university in the United States. We bring creativity, science, and technology together to address society's greatest challenges. We cultivate exceptional problem-solvers by immersing them in a culture of rigorous inquiry, disciplined practice, and hands-on application. Our strategic plan, RPI Forward, charts a pioneering course for the next era of RPI. Explore the RPI Forward plan. ︎

Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, RPI is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, and the IBM Quantum System One - the first university-based quantum computer in the world.

With top notch employee health and retirement benefits, Rensselaer offers its full-time employees a generous paid time off program, tuition remission, and opportunities for career growth.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master's Degree in related field, with an emphasis in student affairs, counseling, human resource management or related field

Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in fields related to student programming with a preference for experience in a career services or student services role, including;

Demonstrated success leading professional staff, managing programs, and advancing organizational priorities
Understanding of the career development needs of students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines and the evolving talent needs of STEM employers

Relevant combinations of education, training and experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience leading career development operations within a college or university career center
Experience providing career coaching, programming, or career education services for students pursuing STEM disciplines at a college or university
Experience supervising professional career services staff in a complex higher education environment
Familiarity with career management technologies (e.g., Handshake), career outcomes reporting, and data analytics
Experience developing scalable career education curricula and career readiness initiatives
Active involvement in professional organizations such as the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) or regional career services associations

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Requires excellent oral and written communication skills
Requires strong organizational skills
Requires excellent customer service skills
Requires ability to work effectively under pressure and meet established goals and objectives
Requires ability to work with a diverse population
Requires strong computer skills and knowledge
Required demonstrated advanced skills in counseling, interpersonal communication and written communication focusing on a traditional college-age student population
Demonstrated mentoring skills and ability to effectively manage a team
Ability to identify a new idea or concept and bring it to fruition
Knowledge of career development theory, career coaching methodologies, career readiness competencies, and student development principles
Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
Commitment to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and student-centered environment
Understanding of the career development needs of students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines and the evolving talent needs of STEM employers
Excellent leadership, interpersonal, communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across organizational units and with diverse internal and external stakeholders

Representative Job Duties:

Provide strategic leadership and operational management for all career development functions within the Center for Career and Professional Development. Supervise, mentor, develop, and evaluate five Assistant Directors, fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture and supporting professional growth. Foster a culture of assessment, innovation, and evidence-based practice across the career development team.
Establish and oversee implementation of departmental goals, priorities, service standards, and performance expectations for career development programs and services. Manage departmental initiatives, allocate resources effectively, and monitor progress toward strategic objectives.
Lead strategic planning for the career development function, using assessment data, career outcomes, external benchmarks, and student engagement metrics to inform decision-making and continuous improvement. Manage departmental initiatives, allocate resources effectively, and monitor progress toward strategic objectives.
Serve as the office lead in the absence of the Assistant Vice Provost, providing operational leadership, supporting staff, representing the Center, and ensuring continuity of services.
Personally provide career coaching, advising, and consultation to students and alumni on career exploration, career readiness, internship and job search strategies, graduate school preparation, and professional development.
Lead the development, implementation, and assessment of career education programs, workshops, classroom presentations, and career readiness initiatives that support students across academic disciplines and class years. Develop and maintain career education resources, guides, and digital tools aligned with career readiness competencies, labor market trends, and national best practices.
Partner closely with the employer relations and experiential learning teams to integrate internships, undergraduate research, cooperative education, and other experiential learning opportunities into students' career development journeys.
Build and maintain productive partnerships with faculty, academic departments, Student Experience offices, and other campus stakeholders to embed career development throughout the student experience. Represent the Center on institutional committees, campus initiatives, and professional organizations as appropriate.
Assess student engagement, career outcomes, utilization, and assessment data to evaluate program effectiveness, identify trends, and recommend improvements. Prepare reports and recommendations that support strategic planning, accreditation efforts, institutional reporting, and decision-making.
Other duties as assigned

Shift:

Business Hours with weekends or evenings occasionally required

Starting Salary/Rate:

Expected hiring range: $85,000 - $90,000

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Application instructions:

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile. Please be ready to upload your resume and cover letter.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu.

Job Posted Date:

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Total Compensation and Benefits Information:

Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu) .

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is committed to the cultivation of a community that is welcoming, inclusive, and above all values learning. We welcome candidates who bring a variety of perspectives to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's work and campus communities. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or other characteristic protected by law.