Executive Director of Career Development

Job Details

Join our vibrant community of dedicated faculty and staff who work to create a transformative educational experience rooted in faith, reason, and justice.

Eastern University is a nationally-recognized Christian university enrolling approximately 9,000 students in a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, professional, and seminary programs. The university’s main campus is located in St. Davids, PA, with many programs also offered online. Eastern’s core values of Faith, Reason, and Justice are woven into all of its educational offerings. Through dynamic programs, a vibrant campus community, and meaningful service learning opportunities, Eastern University is committed to providing students with transformative, accessible, and affordable education.

Position Description

Eastern University is seeking a visionary, high-impact leader for the position of Executive Director of the Center for Career Development (CCD). Reporting directly to the Vice President for Student Development, the Executive Director serves as the primary architect of the University’s career success strategy.

This elevated leadership role requires a sophisticated understanding of the evolving global workforce and the ability to scale services for a complex, diverse student body—ranging from traditional on-campus undergraduates to fully online adult learners and students in flexible graduate programs. The Executive Director will be a visible champion for "The Eastern Edge," ensuring that every student, regardless of their modality of study, graduates with a clear path to professional flourishing.

Position Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Executive Strategy & Innovation: Set the long-term vision for career readiness at Eastern. Implement an integrated "career ecosystem" that begins at enrollment and continues through alumni life.
• Omni-Channel Service Delivery: Oversee the creation of a seamless, "digital-first but human-centered" service model. This includes ensuring that online and flex-program graduate students receive the same high-level coaching and networking opportunities as on-campus students.
• High-Level Employer & Alumni Partnerships: Cultivate "C-suite" relationships with regional and national corporations, non-profits, and alumni networks to create exclusive pipelines for Eastern graduates across all disciplines.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Serve on the Student Development leadership team, collaborating with Academic Deans and the Enrollment Management team to leverage career outcomes as a primary driver for student recruitment and retention.
• Data-Driven Accountability: Implement robust assessment frameworks to track "First Destination" data, social mobility metrics, and employer satisfaction, using these insights to influence university-wide policy.
• Relationship Building: Build and maintain collaborative relationships with key campus stakeholders, faculty, and alumni to foster a career readiness ecosystem.
• Equitable Access: Champion equitable access to high-impact practices (internships, mentorships) for all students as outlined in NACE Principles for Ethical Professional Practice.
• Resource Management: Oversee the Center’s fiscal health, identifying opportunities for grant funding, corporate sponsorships, and donor engagement to expand the Center's reach.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree required; Doctorate in Higher Education, Leadership, or a related field preferred.
• Experience: Seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressive leadership experience in career services, corporate recruiting, or talent development.
• Scale: Proven experience managing complex organizations or departments with a focus on diverse student populations, including adult learners and online graduate students.
• Technological Proficiency: Deep expertise in leveraging educational technology and AI-driven career platforms to serve a global student base.
• Communication: Exceptional executive presence with the ability to inspire students, faculty, and external stakeholders alike.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a "Flex" or "Accelerated" educational environment.
• Experience managing Handshake, Big Interview, Parker Dewey, and/or uConnect is preferred.
• Active leadership in national organizations such as NACE or MPACE.
• A background in data analytics or business intelligence as it relates to workforce trends.

Supplemental Information

Eastern University: Our Commitment
Eastern University is a diverse community of learners dedicated to the transformative power of education. The Executive Director will be a key driver in fulfilling our promise to students: that an Eastern education is not just a degree, but a bridge to a meaningful and sustainable career.