Assistant/Associate Director for Graduate Student Career Success

Assistant/Associate Director For Graduate Student Career Success

The Office of Graduate Educational Engagement Programs (OGEEP) within the J. Jeffery and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School seeks a dynamic professional to serve as Assistant/Associate Director for Graduate Student Career Success. This will be filled at the Career Services Specialist - Advanced Professional or the Career Services Specialist - Senior Professional level.

This role leads the development and delivery of career readiness initiatives, professional development programming, and mentoring opportunities to support the diverse career goals of Penn State's graduate students.

Additionally, the Assistant/Associate Director aligns graduate career and professional development efforts with workforce trends, employer needs, and student aspirations, ensuring graduates are prepared for meaningful career success.

Key Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

• Develop and deliver career programming for diverse pathways: academia, industry, government, and nonprofits.
• Lead mentoring initiatives connecting graduate students with faculty, alumni, and professionals.
• Cultivate external partnerships and secure funding for programs such as Accelerate to Industry (A2i).
• Build employer relationships and coordinate internships, site visits, workshops, and panels.
• Collaborate with faculty, career services, and university offices to align and share resources.
• Assess student career needs and program outcomes for continuous improvement.
• Advise graduate students on career planning, transferable skills, and job market navigation.
• Promote inclusive, scalable models for career services across disciplines.
• Represent the Graduate School in university and external career development discussions.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree preferably in higher education, student affairs, educational leadership, or a related field.
• Experience in graduate education, student engagement, or related areas within a higher education setting.
• Familiarity with corporate partnership development, advancement strategies, or fundraising within a university context.
• Experience with platforms such as Handshake, Interstride, or other career development and tracking systems.
• Demonstrated experience in creating, implementing, and evaluating programs that support diverse graduate student populations, including domestic and international students.
• Proven ability to collaborate with academic and administrative units, and to work effectively with faculty, staff, and students across a complex institution.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, including experience managing budgets and supervising staff or student employees.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to work across cultural and disciplinary boundaries.
• Commitment to promoting inclusive environments.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., or equivalent) in higher education, student development, or a related field; or equivalent experience in senior-level leadership roles in higher education.
• Experience working directly with graduate student populations at a research-intensive institution.
• Familiarity with national trends in graduate education, international student support, and student success strategies around career and professional development.
• Experience cultivating strategic partnerships, writing grant proposals, or leading campus-wide initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to use assessment data to guide planning and decision-making.

The ideal candidate will be strategic, collaborative, and culturally responsive, with exceptional communication skills and the ability to engage effectively with both students and academic professionals. This role requires sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

The position also occasionally requires work outside standard business hours, including evenings and weekends, to support graduate student engagement and university-wide events.

Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required Certifications

If filled as Career Services Specialist - Senior Professional, this position requires:

• Master's Degree
• 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• Required Certifications: None

If filled as Career Services Specialist - Advanced Professional, this position requires:

• Bachelor's Degree
• 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• Required Certifications: None

Background Checks/Clearances

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $54,060.00 - $94,980.00.

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.