Assistant Director of Professional Development & Student Engagement

Student and Employer Relations - 35%

• Serve as the primary point of contact for professional development for students, employers, and internship providers.

• Develop and maintain relationships with diverse employers to expand opportunities for students and resources for alumni

• Research organizations and industry trends to explore professional opportunities with the guidance of Professional Development Coaches.

• Utilize online resources (Handshake, LinkedIn, listservs, social media) to connect students to employers and employment opportunities.

• Cultivate a diverse "professional practice community" comprising faculty, alumni, parents, and CCA associates to showcase career achievements,

• Lead professional development events and workshops, coordinate employer visits, and conduct portfolio reviews.

• Maintain and promote the CCA job board (Handshake) with up-to-date opportunities.

• Foster an inclusive student culture that celebrates diversity, promotes mutual respect, encourages personal accountability, and nurtures leadership skills.

• Design and lead In-person workshops, job fairs, and networking events.

Consultation and Resources - 35%

• Provide comprehensive professional development support to students across all programs, including advising, coaching, and skills development in support of the PDCs team.

• Conduct workshops for both graduate and undergraduate students on essential professional development topics, such as:

  • Internship success strategies

  • Professional work practices

  • Understanding employer expectations

  • Interview preparation

  • Resume writing techniques

  • Career path exploration

• Collaborate with the Professional Development Coaching team to develop expert guidance to students and faculty on professional development, including internships, employer relations, professional and artists associations, industry trends, and hiring practices

• Develop employer relations content on the CCA portal and update it biannually

• Create tutorials for employer use of Handshake and other digital tools

• Collaborate with the Senior Director to develop online materials educating CCA students and alumni about professional development services

• Partner with ISS to support international students in connecting with employers and employment opportunities in the U.S.

Administrative and Departmental Management - 25%

•  Plan department goals and policies with the Senior Director, aligning with the college's mission

• Lead initiative to align professional development with course learning outcomes

• With the support of the Professional Development Coaching team, update coaching content to align with current hiring practices and standards; research hiring trends, industry leaders, artist studios, and galleries to cultivate professional engagement opportunities.

• Manage comprehensive employer, student, and alumni records on Handshake while generating insightful statistical reports to drive data-informed decision-making.

• Explore Workday implementation for student engagement and skill tracking

• Support hiring and supervision of student worker event assistants

• Collaborate with the college community on the strategic development of resources and programs

• Maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information and records. 

Budget Management - 5%

• Ensure scheduled hours align with the annual budget for work-study funding.

• Verify professional development events adhere to annual budgets

• Collaborate with the Senior Director to prepare analytical data for annual budget proposals

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The Assistant Director role is crucial in guiding students toward professional success in the art and design industry. This position demands a comprehensive understanding of professional development resources and diverse career pathways within the field. The ideal candidate creatively identifies and leverages opportunities, networks, and resources to support students' growth. With an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for student success, the Assistant Director possesses in-depth industry knowledge and proficiency in innovative marketing strategies, including social media. The role emphasizes adaptability, industry insight, and a student-centric approach, ensuring that students are well-prepared for their professional journeys both during their time at the institution and after graduation.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required (BFA preferred)

• Minimum 2 years of professional experience in career development, human resources, recruiting, or a related field

• Strong written and verbal abilities, and effective presentation skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel

• Experience with Handshake or similar college job board platforms

• Demonstrated organizational, administrative, and interpersonal skills

• Keen attention to detail and data analysis capabilities

• Proven ability to effectively serve diverse populations

• In-depth knowledge of:

  • Current employment trends and hiring practices

  • Job search strategies in a dynamic economy

  • Best practices in professional development

  • Fundamental understanding of labor and employment law

• Commitment to maintaining strict confidentiality

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education art and design institutions

• Proficiency with student information systems (SIS) and CRM platforms

• Master's degree in Career Counseling, Human Resource Management, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, or related field (preferred)

• Proven track record in a fast-paced environment with extensive student/client interaction

• Demonstrates diplomatic, politically astute, and collaborative leadership skills

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

• The compensation for this position is $34.31/hour

• CCA offers a comprehensive benefits package, including the choice of five medical plans, generous holiday, sick & vacation time, a retirement match and tuition remission. CCA covers an average of 91% of the medical plan cost for the employee only and an average of 82% for employees with dependents. More information can be found here: https://portal.cca.edu/working/office-human-resources/employee-benefits.

POSITION DETAILS:

• CCA considers a full-time work week to be 37.5 hours per week.

• Work Mode: Hybrid

• Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8am-4:30pm

• This position is covered under the staff union collective bargaining agreement and will be required to contribute to union dues/agency fees.