Director of Career Services - Sonoma State University

SSU is a smaller, highly collaborative campus with strong graduation results and an engaged alumni network at companies like Google, Meta, Deloitte, and Kaiser. This role is about building momentum—expanding employer partnerships, embedding career readiness into academics, and ensuring every student leaves with a clear path forward.

Another Source's client, Sonoma State University, is recruiting a Director of Career Services to join their team in Sonoma, California.

Here’s a little about Sonoma State University: 
Sonoma State University (SSU) is a proud member of the California State University system, offering the scale and stability of a large public university system with the feel of a smaller, more connected campus community. Located in Northern California’s Sonoma County, SSU is known for its personalized student experience and strong commitment to student success and social mobility. 

What sets SSU apart is the strength of its outcomes. The university ranks among the top in the CSU system for transfer student success, including #2 in two-year graduation rates and #3 in four-year graduation rates for transfer students, along with strong outcomes for first-time students. These results reflect a campus-wide commitment to helping students persist, graduate, and launch meaningful careers. 

Beyond graduation, SSU’s impact extends globally through its engaged alumni network. Seawolves can be found at leading organizations such as Google, Meta, Deloitte, and Kaiser Permanente, creating powerful pathways for mentorship, internships, and career opportunities. This network, combined with SSU’s emphasis on career readiness, positions students, and the Career Center, at the center of long-term success. 

As part of the Division of Student Affairs, Career Services plays a critical role in continuing this momentum, helping students translate their education into career pathways and expanding access to opportunities for all. 

About this role: 
This is a pivotal moment for Career Services at Sonoma State. The Director will step into a visible leadership role with the opportunity to reimagine how career readiness is delivered across a smaller, highly collaborative campus environment. 

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, you will lead the strategy, operations, and evolution of a student-centered Career Center. From strengthening employer partnerships to integrating career readiness into the academic experience, your work will directly impact student success, career outcomes, and institutional priorities. 

If you’re motivated by the opportunity to build, innovate, and make a tangible difference in students’ lives—this role offers both influence and purpose. 

How you will spend your time: 

• Provide strategic leadership for a comprehensive, equity-minded career services model aligned with university goals and workforce needs  

• Lead and develop a team of career services professionals, fostering a high-impact, student-centered culture  

• Drive a rebranding and visibility initiative to increase student, faculty, and employer engagement  

• Build and expand employer partnerships to create internship pipelines and post-graduate opportunities  

• Collaborate with faculty to embed career readiness and employability planning into academic programs  

• Advance an integrated advising model supporting undeclared, pre-professional, and underserved student populations  

• Oversee career programming, workshops, events, and peer coaching initiatives  

• Manage departmental operations, including budget oversight, planning, and resource allocation  

• Partner across Student Affairs and Academic Affairs to support retention, graduation, and career outcomes  

• Ensure inclusive, accessible services that meet the needs of first-generation, transfer, and historically underserved students  

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in educational leadership, student affairs, higher education, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience)  

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in career advising, student development, or student affairs  

• At least 3 years of progressively responsible leadership, including supervisory experience  

• Demonstrated knowledge of career development practices, student learning outcomes, and program assessment  

• Experience leading programs, managing operations, and supervising staff  

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Master's or Doctoral degree in a related field  

• Experience working within a university career center  

• Familiarity with NACE or CAS standards and career outcome assessment practices  

• Experience with platforms such as Handshake, EAB Navigate, Focus2Career, or PeopleSoft  

What’s in it for you: 

• Salary range: $84,000 – $90,000 annually   

• The opportunity to shape and elevate career services at a student-centered, mission-driven institution  

• A collaborative campus culture where your work has visible and lasting impact  

Why a Career with CSU is for You: 

The CSU system offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to meet you where you're at in life and typically adds 30-35% to your total compensation package. For more information on programs available, take a closer look in the Employee Benefits Summary: https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/careers/benefits/Documents/employee-benefits-summary.pdf 

• Emphasis on maintaining a healthy work-life balance with ample PTO and flexibility, which includes up to 24 vacation days per year (based on employee group/services) 

• Enjoy the vibrant campus life with access to athletic and gym facilities, renowned sporting events, artist events, and world-renowned speakers  

• Numerous professional development opportunities to advance your career including tuition waivers for yourself, a spouse, registered domestic partner or an eligible dependent child across any of the 23 CSU campuses  

• Two different retirement plans catered to fit your personal saving goals: CalPERS Retirement Plan or 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan (Similar to a 401k plan)  

• Medical benefits tailored to support various life stages  

• We recognize that transportation to and from work can be expensive and we are here to help support you with pre-tax commuter benefits  

 
Sonoma State University is committed to achieving excellence through teaching, scholarship, learning and inclusion. In line with its Strategic Plan and Seawolf Commitment, the university values diversity, sustainability, community engagement, respect, responsibility, excellence, and integrity. SSU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, or protected veteran status.  

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us. 

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