How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the University of Michigan-Dearborn, the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Job Summary
Job Summary:
The Director of Student Engagement for Career Success is a strategic leader responsible for developing and managing a comprehensive ecosystem of resources and experiences that empower engineering and computer science students to achieve lifelong career success. This position will focus on cultivating strategic partnerships, advancing experiential learning opportunities, and providing innovative, student-centered programs that prepare undergraduates and graduate students to excel in competitive, rapidly evolving engineering and computer fields.
As the primary driver of career engagement initiatives within the college, the Director will lead efforts to align academic experiences with real-world applications through work-based experiences, industry defined student projects, and employer partnerships. This role requires a collaborative leader capable of fostering relationships with internal and external stakeholders to deliver measurable outcomes in student career readiness, placement and industry engagement.
Responsibilities*
Building and Managing a Collaborative Ecosystem (20%)
- Build and sustain collaborative relationships with faculty, career services, industry partners, and alumni to create integrated pathways for student success.
- Identify and coordinate the necessary resources, services, and partnerships to deliver a robust system of student career support.
- Lead cross-functional teams to deliver comprehensive work-based learning opportunities without direct line supervision.
Strategic Program Design and Implementation (20%)
- Develop and oversee innovative, hands-on learning programs, including internships, cooperative education, industry-sponsored projects, and global experiences.
- Align experiential learning initiatives with academic curricula and workforce needs to enhance career readiness with an emphasis on technical, professional and soft skills.
- Incorporate emerging trends in technology and engineering education into program offerings.
Student Engagement and Career Development (30%)
- Design workshops, mentoring programs, and resources to equip students with technical, professional, and interpersonal skills.
- Partner with career advisors to prepare students for work-based learning opportunities, including guidance on resumes, interviewing, and professional development to prepare students for competitive job markets.
- Promote work-based learning programs through outreach and engagement, increasing student participation and program visibility within the College of Engineering and Computer Science.
Industry Partnership Development and Employer Relations (25%)
- Establish and maintain relationships with local, national, and global employers to expand internship, cooperative education, and full-time placement opportunities.
- Engage with alumni and industry leaders to create mutually beneficial work-based learning experiences and strategic initiatives.
- Represent the college in employer engagement activities and workforce development initiatives.
Data-Driven Program Evaluation and Continuous Improvement (5%)
- Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate program effectiveness and student outcomes.
- Use insights from data to enhance program offerings, identify gaps, and adapt to evolving industry and student needs.
- Provide reports and recommendations to college leadership and other internal/external stakeholders.
Skills You Have
Skills and Competencies:
- Visionary Leadership: Ability to anticipate future workforce trends and proactively develop student-centered programs.
- Collaboration: Strong networking and relationship-building skills to coordinate with internal teams and external partners.
- Innovation: Creative problem-solving skills to design impactful programs that bridge academic and professional experiences.
- Data-Driven Decision-Making: Proficiency in collecting, analyzing and presenting data to measure and communicate outcomes and to drive continuous improvement.
- Communication: Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills to engage a variety of stakeholders.
- Technical Expertise: Familiarity with engineering and computer science disciplines, as well as tools like CRM systems (e.g. Salesforce, LinkedIn), job boards (e,g, 12twenty, Handshake), and data analysis and visualization platforms (e.g. Tableau, Excel).
- Diversity and Inclusion: Commitment to fostering equitable learning and career opportunities for underrepresented groups in STEM.Key Characteristics of the Ideal Candidate:
- A strategic thinker who aligns career services with both institutional goals and workforce demands.
- A collaborative leader capable of working across organizational boundaries to achieve shared objectives.
- An advocate for students, passionate about preparing them to thrive long-term in engineering and computer science careers.
- An adaptable problem solver who responds effectively to the rapidly changing needs of students and industry.Required Qualifications*
Education:
- Bachelor's degree required. A degree in engineering, computer science, or a related STEM is preferred, but strong applicants with degrees in other areas will be considered.
Experience:
- At least 5 years of experience in career services, work-based learning, higher education, or relevant engineering-related industries.
- Proven ability to design, implement, and evaluate experiential learning initiatives tailored to STEM students.
- Demonstrated success in building and managing partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including students, faculty, industry, and alumni.Desired Qualifications*
Master's degree preferred.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
The University of Michigan-Dearborn (UM-Dearborn) is one of the three campuses of the University of Michigan system. UM-Dearborn is a comprehensive university offering high-quality undergraduate, graduate, professional, and continuing education to residents of southeastern Michigan, and it attracts more than 8,000 students. Faculty and students have the opportunity to collaborate across all three campuses in research and scholarly activity. UM-Dearborn is located 10 miles west of downtown Detroit and 35 miles east of Ann Arbor. The campus is strategically located on 200 suburban acres of the original Henry Ford Estate in the Greater Detroit Metropolitan Region.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.