Director of Career Services and Experiential Education

EXEMPT: Yes

JOB CODE: Staff

DIVISION: Academic Affairs

DEPARTMENT: Academic Affairs

REPORTS TO: Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs

PREPARED BY: Brian Peterson DATE: June 20, 2026

Briar Cliff University (BCU) is a community committed to higher education within a liberal arts and Catholic perspective. In the Franciscan tradition of service, caring and openness to all, Briar Cliff emphasizes quality education for its students, combining a broad intellectual background with career development. The University challenges its members to grow in self-awareness and in their relationships to others and to God.

SUMMARY:

The Director of Career Services and Experiential Education provides strategic leadership for Briar Cliff University's student experiential education ecosystem, guiding students from initial exploration to employment or graduate study while advancing institutional retention and alumni engagement goals. The position interacts closely with corporate partners and academic departments to assess needs and wants; and designs and delivers career counseling and data-driven student-focused experiential educational programming that reflect Briar Cliff's Franciscan values of service, caring, and openness.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Planning
• Develop and implement a multi-year strategic vision and annual action plan for strategic career readiness that aligns with Necesitas, Compass, Academic Affairs, and accreditation standards.
• Establish specific KPIs (e.g., First-Destination outcomes, internship participation) to track and present regular reports to the provost.
• Develop and maintain consistent internship requirements and a manual for students and academic departments
• Employer & Alumni Relations
• Build and steward partnerships between the University and regional, national, and international employers.
• Coordinate a regular series of on-campus recruiting, industry panels, networking nights, and multiple annual career fairs.
• Career Counseling & Programming
• Provide individual counseling to students through appointments
• Provide professional development workshops on writing resumes and cover letters, excelling at job interviews and the graduate school admission process, professional dress, networking, and other relevant topics.
• Experiential Learning & Off-Campus Programs
• Oversee internship, practicum, and cooperative-education pipelines; publicize opportunities and track placements.
• Work with departments to develop opportunities for additional experiential learning opportunities, including student participation in Chicago Semester, study away, and other activities.
• Technology & Data Management
• Administer Handshake (or successor platform): user access, employer vetting, job-posting approvals, training resources, and system analytics.
• Marketing & Outreach
• Lead integrated marketing campaigns (email, social, print) to promote services to students, alumni, and employers.
• Represent Career Services at orientation, admissions events, and community engagements.
• Budget Oversight
• Manage the office's operating budget, internship scholarship funds, and event revenues.
• Collaboration & Committee Service
• Serve on institutional committees related to retention or experiential learning.
• Provide career-readiness insights to academic departments developing new programs or revisions.
• Other Duties
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by the Provost

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Counseling, Business, or related field
• At least 3 - 5 years in career services, employer relations, or talent development
• Supervisory and budget experience preferred but not required

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Skills & Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to design strategic initiatives and manage projects to completion.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with career-management platforms (e.g., Handshake) and other relevant software.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and Franciscan values.

Working Conditions / Environment

• Office setting with frequent student, employer, and alumni interactions; occasional evening or weekend events (e.g., career fairs, recruiting visits).
• Some required travel for employer outreach and professional conferences.
• Must maintain confidentiality in accordance with FERPA and university policies.