Executive Director of Career Development
Location St. Davids
Job Type Full-Time
Job Number 1085
Department Student Development
Opening Date 03/16/2026
Description
Benefits
Join our vibrant community of dedicated faculty and staff who work to create a transformative educational experience rooted in faith, reason, and justice. Eastern University is a nationally-recognized Christian university enrolling approximately 9,000 students in a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, professional, and seminary programs. The university's main campus is located in St. Davids, PA, with many programs also offered online. Eastern's core values of Faith, Reason, and Justice are woven into all of its educational offerings. Through dynamic programs, a vibrant campus community, and meaningful service learning opportunities, Eastern University is committed to providing students with transformative, accessible, and affordable education.
Position Description
Eastern University is seeking a visionary, high-impact leader for the position of Executive Director of the Center for Career Development (CCD). Reporting directly to the Vice President for Student Development, the Executive Director serves as the primary architect of the University's career success strategy.This elevated leadership role requires a sophisticated understanding of the evolving global workforce and the ability to scale services for a complex, diverse student body-ranging from traditional on-campus undergraduates to fully online adult learners and students in flexible graduate programs. The Executive Director will be a visible champion for "The Eastern Edge," ensuring that every student, regardless of their modality of study, graduates with a clear path to professional flourishing.
Position Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
Executive Strategy & Innovation: Set the long-term vision for career readiness at Eastern. Implement an integrated "career ecosystem" that begins at enrollment and continues through alumni life.
Omni-Channel Service Delivery: Oversee the creation of a seamless, "digital-first but human-centered" service model. This includes ensuring that online and flex-program graduate students receive the same high-level coaching and networking opportunities as on-campus students.
High-Level Employer & Alumni Partnerships: Cultivate "C-suite" relationships with regional and national corporations, non-profits, and alumni networks to create exclusive pipelines for Eastern graduates across all disciplines.
Cross-Functional Leadership: Serve on the Student Development leadership team, collaborating with Academic Deans and the Enrollment Management team to leverage career outcomes as a primary driver for student recruitment and retention.
Data-Driven Accountability: Implement robust assessment frameworks to track "First Destination" data, social mobility metrics, and employer satisfaction, using these insights to influence university-wide policy.
Relationship Building: Build and maintain collaborative relationships with key campus stakeholders, faculty, and alumni to foster a career readiness ecosystem.
Equitable Access: Champion equitable access to high-impact practices (internships, mentorships) for all students as outlined in NACE Principles for Ethical Professional Practice.
Resource Management: Oversee the Center's fiscal health, identifying opportunities for grant funding, corporate sponsorships, and donor engagement to expand the Centers reach.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Education: Master's degree required; Doctorate in Higher Education, Leadership, or a related field preferred.
Experience: Seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressive leadership experience in career services, corporate recruiting, or talent development.
Scale: Proven experience managing complex organizations or departments with a focus on diverse student populations, including adult learners and online graduate students.
Technological Proficiency: Deep expertise in leveraging educational technology and AI-driven career platforms to serve a global student base.
Communication: Exceptional executive presence with the ability to inspire students, faculty, and external stakeholders alike.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in a "Flex" or "Accelerated" educational environment.
Experience managing Handshake, Big Interview, Parker Dewey, and/or uConnect is preferred.
Active leadership in national organizations such as NACE or MPACE.
A background in data analytics or business intelligence as it relates to workforce trends.
Supplemental Information
Eastern University: Our Commitment
Eastern University is a diverse community of learners dedicated to the transformative power of education. The Executive Director will be a key driver in fulfilling our promise to students: that an Eastern education is not just a degree, but a bridge to a meaningful and sustainable career.
About Eastern University
Eastern University is a Christian university of the arts and sciences that integrates faith, reason and justice for students in its undergraduate, graduate, seminary, urban, professional and international programs. Applicants should have a Christian commitment compatible with its mission and be willing to support the mission and vision of the university. The university complies with federal and state guidelines of nondiscrimination in employment; members of protected classes encouraged to apply.
Background Checks
Standard University employees are required to complete the background clearance process. Employment is contingent upon the successful results of an employment background screening. The employment background screening may include but is not limited to your consumer credit history (for positions that work with the university finances or alumni funds only), verification of education and professional credentials, criminal history, driving history, residency, immigration status, performance, references, and other qualities pertinent to your qualifications for the following position.
Youth Clearances are required for positions with direct contact with children and essential personnel positions. Employees working with or around minor age children are required to complete the youth clearance process which includes the following four child protection clearances: 1) Affidavit; 2) FBI Criminal Record Check; 3) Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance and; 4) Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check.
In accordance with state laws, Act 73 of 2007, Act 153 of 2014, Act 168 (relating to the Child Protective Services Law), school employees of Eastern University who will have "direct contact with children" must complete the background check process prior to employment. Results must be submitted within ten days of receipt.
Description Disclaimer
This description is intended to describe the general level and nature of work performed by the person/people assigned to this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities of the person/people so assigned.
For Staff positions: Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
Statement of Non-Discrimination
Eastern University is committed to the principles of equal opportunity as defined under federal and state law, and does not discriminate unlawfully on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, color, creed, disability, national/ethnic origin, age, disabled veteran/Vietnam-era, Genetic Information and Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), or veteran status in its admission policy, program, or activities, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other University-administered programs, or employment practices and programs.
We offer a complete benefits package to full-time faculty and staff including healthcare coverage, retirement plan contributions, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, tuition remission and tuition exchange participation as well as an extensive holiday, summer hours and paid time off leave schedule.
Part-time Regular staff who are scheduled 30-36 hours per week over the course of a year, receive a full benefit package based on their part-time scheduled hours. Healthcare coverage is based on the ACA medical coverage guidelines. Affiliate faculty receive a benefit package as outlined with their covenant. Adjunct faculty may be eligible for medical coverage under the ACA after an annual one year lookback review.
Part-time staff who are scheduled to work less than 30 hours per week schedule are eligible for employer contribution towards the retirement plan after one year of employment. Eligibility rules apply. Adjunct faculty may make employee deferral contributions towards the retirement plan. Part-Time Graduate Assistant Coaches are eligible for participation in the Tuition Remission Coaches Program.
Temporary, Contractors and Seasonal Employees: Individuals in this status are scheduled on an as-needed-basis and are not eligible for participation in the University's benefits programs.
Detailed information regarding our benefits program and eligibility is provided once hired or you can contact Human Resources with any questions.
Employer Eastern University
Address 1300 Eagle Road St. Davids, Pennsylvania, 19087
Phone 610-341-5986
Website http://www.eastern.edu