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The Assistant Vice President for Career Development will play a pivotal role in advancing Emerson’s mission of educating and elevating extraordinary artists, communicators, scholars, and professionals for the betterment of humanity. A member of the Academic Affairs leadership team, reporting to the Associate Provost for Academic Programs, the Assistant Vice President of Career Development will provide strategic leadership on programming, initiatives, and partnerships that advance career development and placement of Emerson’s undergraduate and graduate students. The AVP will collaborate with:

● faculty, deans, and staff– to expand and enhance opportunities across programs and to organically link academic excellence, skill development, and real-world application;
● alumni – to establish a strong mentorship program and networking opportunities; and,
● corporate and community partners – to develop innovative, high-quality experiential learning initiatives and private/public partnerships.

This is an important role that requires knowledge of present best practices and a clear vision of the changing landscape of career development in a time of artificial intelligence, rapid technological advancements and disruptions, and shifting job markets. The person in this role must have strong collaborative skills, as well as excellent leadership and management abilities.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Builds upon existing initiatives and expands opportunities for students in career-focused experiential learning, internship contexts, and community engagement.

• Works with faculty and administrators to integrate career development competencies throughout the student experience, ensuring sustainability and academic excellence, fostering collaboration across departments, and creating synergies that enhance experiential initiatives.

• Drives the development of innovative learning models that enhance student engagement.

• Supports faculty in adopting best practices to improve the quality and impact of learning offerings that promote a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and student-centered learning, including up-to-date developments in AI.

• Convenes and leads the community career development professionals both within the Career Development Center and across campus.

• Serves as part of the Academic Affairs leadership team and collaborates with College stakeholders to develop and implement the strategic plan and align experiential learning and career development with Emerson’s mission, vision, and priorities.

• Builds and maintains strategic partnerships with local, national, and global organizations to expand experiential learning and career opportunities.

• Serves as a key liaison between the College and corporate/community partners, fostering mutually beneficial collaborations.

Management

• Oversees all Career Development Center operations, programs, services, and resources.

• Guides, trains, and supervises staff as necessary.

• Coordinates the implementation of new initiatives and partnerships.

• Engages faculty and stewards a sophisticated alumni population.

• Manages Career Development Center relations with external constituents and marketing and communications initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS- Qualifications are deemed required or preferred and represent what is needed to perform the job effectively.

• Master’s Degree in Higher Education, Leadership Development, or a related field required

• 10+ years of previous experience in higher education, including experience in staff supervision and program development required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES – May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills, and abilities commonly associated with the job.  

• A record of success in developing strategic partnerships, collaborating with academic units, and achieving high satisfaction levels in meeting the needs of students and alums

• Demonstrated strong management skills and the ability to work and lead teams, including experience with budgetary/financial management

• Strong knowledge of current practices in experiential learning and career development, and demonstrated skill in creative and strategic approaches to career services programming, technology, experiential knowledge, and coaching

• Continual review of professional best practices, of National Association of Colleges and Employers (“NACE”) standards, and of relevant laws and regulations affecting academic institutions, such as ADA and FERPA

• Demonstrated commitment to community, culture, and belonging, as well as the ability to work with a wide range of constituencies (staff, students, faculty, parents, alums, administrators, etc.) with diplomacy and tact

PHYSICAL ABILITIES – Activities commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Requires ability to lift and move objects that are light

• Requires ability to move materials occasionally

WORK ENVIRONMENT – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

• Usual Office Conditions

Disclaimer: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as requested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws.  Certain job duties described herein may be subject to possible modification in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.

This position is primarily a hybrid role with expected days in the office each week.

The hybrid arrangement will be made upon hire. Candidates must reside within a reasonable commuting distance of the Boston campus to ensure operational effectiveness. This arrangement must be approved as outlined in the Remote Work Policy.

Compensation: $128,350.00 - $163,700.00 annually, commensurate with experience.

Grade of Position: 23-14E

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36.25

Division:

In addition to a competitive salary, Emerson College is committed to the health and well-being of our employees and family members. We offer a generous benefits package to regular staff scheduled to work 20+ hours per week. 

Benefits include outstanding health plans with limited out-of-pocket expenses, dental plans, generous time-off programs, and a 403(b) retirement benefit with a 9% employer contribution once eligible. Additional benefits such as life and disability coverage as well as commuter offerings are available.

Please refer to our benefits website for a full list of benefits and eligibility requirements.