The Manager of Career Services will be responsible for a variety of high-level responsibilities, for which they will exercise leadership, collaborate with other offices as needed, develop a strategic vision, innovate improvements, and take ownership of an essential part of our Career Services operation. This role serves the three of the MA Programs in the Social Sciences division including MAPSS, CIR, and MACSS.
Job Summary The job assists in the design and implementation of advisory programs focused on students' career development.
The Manager of Career Services will be responsible for a variety of high-level responsibilities, for which they will exercise leadership, collaborate with other offices as needed, develop a strategic vision, innovate improvements, and take ownership of an essential part of our Career Services operation. Depending on our program needs, the composition of our Career Services team, and the candidate’s experience and training, those responsibilities could include programming, career advising, employer and alumni relations, and general communications. The SSD MA Career Services team draws on the best contemporary practices to address the employment needs and hiring protocols of small businesses, large corporations, government, and nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and abroad.
Responsibilities
The successful candidate will participate fully in Career Services advising, programming, and outreach activities with the ability to:
Coach and advise MA students and recent alumni from the Social Sciences Division on topics including career exploration within the social sciences and related fields, job search strategies, resumes and cover letters, networking and professional development, job search techniques, interviewing, and salary negotiation.
Design/develop and facilitate career workshops and other professional development opportunities appropriate for SSD MA students (as influenced by student feedback, emerging trends, and strategizing with SSD MA Career Services team).
Build/maintain relationships with a diverse set of employers and alumni, on and off campus, domestically and internationally; Network with various local, state, regional, and national organizations, chambers of commerce, societies of human resource management, state and federal agencies, and other professional associations.
Provide planning, logistical support, and promotions for alumni and employer events, workshops, and annual conferences. Participate as a team member in program goals and activities; Collect evaluations, solicit recommendations, and assist with the improvement of program events and services; Update appropriate administrative systems as needed.
Participate as a team member in program goals and activities; Collect evaluations, solicit recommendations, and assist with the improvement of program events and services; Update appropriate administrative systems as needed.
Lead special programs and initiatives based on skills and experience in coordination with Director.
Additionally, the successful candidate will contribute to general administrative and support functions with the ability to:
Serve as liaison to various career development teams; Contribute to large-scale collaborative events (i.e., UChicago GRAD).
Provide administrative and program support including research, data management, program assistance, and training in MA Connect and on special projects (e.g., web updates, counseling notes, generating reports, listing events, posting job/internship opportunities, employer engagement, alumni outreach, and placement).
Develop relationships with faculty and staff in support of MA student career development initiatives.
Create or contribute to bi-weekly digest and other communications that inform students of relevant opportunities and events. Develop original content for career related publications and assists with the editing and distribution of Career Services communications materials.
Represent the programs at special events (may include an occasional evening or weekend work / flex time is available).
Develop and maintain resources that help social science MA students navigate their career at UChicago and beyond. Build knowledge of relevant career paths in academia, industry, nonprofits, and government.
Conducts mock interviews, reviews resumes and cover letters, and coordinates other interview related programming in both individual and group settings.
Develops original content for career related publications and assists with the editing and distribution of Career Services communications materials.
Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s degree.
MA degree in social science (i.e., anthropology, political science, sociology, psychology, economics) or related field
Experience:
Experience advising diverse groups of graduate students and alumni.
2-5 years of experience providing career services or leading career development programs for graduate students OR working in higher education administration, talent acquisition/recruiting in a corporate or nonprofit setting, client management, sales, or marketing.
Preferred Competencies
Strong customer service orientation and general collaborative spirit.
Professional, effective communication skills including proper email and phone etiquette (oral, written, and interpersonal).
Excellent event and project management skills; Ability to achieve objectives with minimal direction.
Excellent collaborator with experience working in a team environment. Familiarity with some of the industry, government, and nonprofit career options that are common for MA students in the social sciences, including recruitment and application processes.
Ability to gain proficiency in MS Office 365 and career services management tools: Technical knowledge sufficient to learn Mailchimp , Box, WordPress/Drupal, SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, CMS and College Central, etc.
Excellent cultural competency and ability to interact successfully with a diverse student body