Senior MPA Career Coach, Texas McCombs

General Notes

Texas McCombs is a top business school at the center of one of the most innovative cities in the U.S. The McCombs community champions hands-on experiences alongside the ground-breaking research and thought leadership of a world-class faculty. The collaborative spirit and enterprising drive of the Longhorn alumni network, one of the largest university networks in the world, is embedded in our culture, making us human-centered and future-focused in all our endeavors. We are shaping those who will shape tomorrow and solving challenging problems while remaining committed to creating a community that is dynamic, supportive, and challenging. What starts here really does change the world.

For more information about the McCombs School of Business please visit https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/.

Purpose

The Senior MPA Career Coach is a key member of the MPA Career Education and Coaching team, housed within McCombs Career Management & Corporate Relations. This role combines career coaching, curriculum leadership, and strategic programming to prepare MPA students for success in competitive hiring environments.

A central responsibility of this role is ownership of the ACC 151: Accounting Careers Exploration course, from design through delivery and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate is a proactive coach who uses data to inform strategy, builds strong relationships with students, alumni, and employers, and thrives in a collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

CAREER EDUCATION: CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, INNOVATION, & DELIVERY

• Lead end-to-end development, delivery, and continuous improvement of ACC 151: Accounting Careers Exploration, ensuring content reflects current hiring trends and employer expectations.
• Teach ACC 151 in the fall semester, integrating career preparation strategies, networking techniques, and industry-specific hiring practices into an engaging classroom experience.
• Manage all course operations, including Canvas administration, assignment design and grading, faculty collaboration, and teaching logistics.
• Analyze course effectiveness by tracking student engagement, employment outcomes, and industry feedback, making recommendations for ongoing refinement.
• Develop and maintain supplemental career resources for MPA students, including the MPA Career Management Canvas page and preparation tools such as ExPrep.

CAREER COACHING

• Provide one-on-one and group career coaching to MPA students on topics such as resume writing, interview preparation (behavioral, case, and technical), job search strategy, networking, offer evaluation, and salary negotiation.
• Offer specialized career advising tailored to the needs of international students, technical hiring processes, and industry-specific recruitment cycles.
• Track student progress and conduct proactive outreach to ensure students receive ongoing support and guidance throughout their job search process.
• Serve as a liaison to faculty and program staff, integrating career education into the overall MPA student experience.

CAREER PROGRAMMING & ENGAGEMENT

• Collaborate with the Employer Engagement & Special Events team to develop career panels, employer-led workshops, and networking events aligned with evolving market demands and student needs.
• Create and implement programming that addresses the unique job search challenges of MPA students, including international job search strategies and industry-specific hiring cycles.
• Plan and execute MPA Mock Interview events to provide MPA students with the opportunity to connect with employers and practice their interviewing skills in a meaningful way.
• Use participation data and post-event feedback to evaluate programming effectiveness and improve events over time.
• Manage logistics and execution of career-related events, including securing speakers, coordinating with employers, and ensuring smooth student participation.

STRATEGIC PROJECT/PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Collaborate with members of the Career Education and Coaching, Employer Engagement, and other teams in the Program office to align schedules, events, and employer and alumni engagement opportunities.
• Own one or more strategic projects individually or in partnership with team members. Examples include: Vendor evaluation and management (platforms, speakers, technologies); Employment data tracking, analysis, and reporting; Student communication strategy and digital content curation; Recruitment, onboarding, and management of student workers, including ACC 151 TAs and peer career coaches; Development of tailored resources and programming for international students navigating the U.S. job market; Contribution to team-level projects that inform coaching strategy and resource allocation

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in business, education, counseling, or related field
• Minimum of 5 years’ work experience in corporate functions (e.g., accounting, finance, consulting, operations) or relevant experience in career coaching/advising, outplacement, recruiting for these industries.
• A genuine desire to work with students and broad knowledge of career paths available to business graduates.
• Strong customer focus (ability to listen attentively to students and other internal and external stakeholders to understand and respond positively to their requests) is required.
• Demonstrated project management ability, strong interpersonal skills, professional presence, and excellence in both oral and written communication.
• Proficiency with web-based tools, spreadsheet and presentation software (MS Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel).
• Demonstrated ability to work and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative team environment.
• An entrepreneurial mindset with a proven track record of taking initiative, solving problems proactively, and driving projects forward independently.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to define tasks, prioritize competing deadlines, and follow through on projects with minimal oversight.
• Ability to develop compelling presentations and speak confidently to large audiences.
• Must be able to provide effective support to highly motivated business professionals navigating career transition.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of accounting careers and public accounting recruiting cycles.
• Familiarity with online and distance learning methods and technologies.
• Prior experience in admissions, sales, or business development.
• Experience working with individuals from a wide range of cultures
• Experience supporting students on F-1 visas, including awareness of OPT/CPT processes and employer sponsorship considerations.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with students, alumni, and recruiters, including in hybrid or remote work settings.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools, including pivot tables in Excel, and comfort using data to inform coaching strategy and track student outcomes.

Salary Range

$65,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• May work under standard office conditions with repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
• Regular weekday hours required. M-F work hours will flex accordingly and may require evening or weekend availability during peak periods to support student programs.
• This is an Austin, Texas-based position.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the United States. This position is not eligible for sponsorship of work visas.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest