Director of Career Services & Alumni Relations

Director of Career Services & Alumni Relations

Position Summary:

Cleary University is seeking a strategic and student-centered Director of Career Services & Alumni Relations to lead career development, employer engagement, alumni relations, and career programming. This role will empower students to design meaningful and fulfilling careers utilizing Stanford’s Designing Your Life (DYL) principles, career coaching, internship programs, employer partnerships, and alumni networking opportunities.

The Director will oversee career readiness programming, including one-on-one coaching, professional networking, employer engagement, and internship programs to ensure that Cleary graduates are well-prepared for today’s dynamic job market. Additionally, this role will develop career-focused alumni engagement initiatives that connect alumni with students, strengthen employer pipelines, and foster lifelong career support.

This position requires an innovative, relationship-driven leader with a passion for preparing students for career success. While experience with DYL methodology is a plus, Cleary is willing to provide training for the right candidate.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Career Development & Life Design Coaching

• Develop and lead a comprehensive career services strategy, incorporating Stanford’s Designing Your Life (DYL) framework to help students explore career pathways, build professional confidence, and navigate transitions.

• Provide one-on-one career coaching and group workshops on resume writing, interview techniques, job search strategies, and networking.

• Guide students through DYL-inspired exercises, such as prototyping career ideas, building personal career narratives, and engaging in intentional career exploration.

• Partner with academic leadership & faculty to integrate career development and design thinking principles into coursework and student advising.

Internships

• Expand and manage Cleary’s internship and co-op programs, providing students with hands-on experience and career exposure.

• Develop structured internship pathways that align with Cleary’s academic programs, ensuring students gain practical, real-world experience. •

Foster partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, and government organizations to create internship and job placement opportunities for students.

• Support Cleary’s growing academic programs in Public Safety, Business, Healthcare, and IT by establishing industry-specific internship pipelines.

Employer Engagement

• Cultivate relationships with local, regional, and national employers to develop job and internship pipelines for students.

• Organize career fairs, employer panels, and networking events to connect students with prospective employers.

• Act as the primary liaison between Cleary University and corporate partners, industry leaders, and business organizations.

• Represent Cleary University at workforce development councils, economic development events, and business networking organizations.

Alumni Engagement

• Strengthen relationships with Cleary alumni to expand career mentoring, networking, and hiring pipelines.

• Develop and manage an Alumni Career Mentorship Program, pairing students with alumni for career coaching and industry insights.

• Organize alumni networking events, panel discussions, and job shadowing opportunities.

• Leverage alumni connections to expand employer partnerships and fundraising efforts related to career programming.

REPORTS TO: President & CEO

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Career Development, Higher Education, Business, Counseling, or a related field.

• 3-5 years of experience in career services, workforce development, employer relations, or related fields.

• Strong background in career coaching, employer partnerships, and professional development programming.

• Excellent relationship-building, communication, and event-planning skills.

• Ability to develop strategic partnerships with employers, alumni, and industry leaders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with Stanford’s Designing Your Life (DYL) framework (training available if needed).

• Experience integrating design thinking and career exploration strategies into coaching or academic settings.

• Knowledge of workforce development trends and labor market demands.

• Experience working with higher education, career services software, and industry recruitment tools.

Why Work at Cleary University?

Cleary University offers a collaborative and innovative work environment where employees are valued for their contributions. We offer competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth. Our Core Values:

• Students First: We are personally invested in our students’ lives, empathizing with their challenges and supporting their journey.

• Collaboratively Engaged: We work together to advance the university’s mission and student success, breaking down barriers and supporting one another.

• Community-Centered: We actively represent the university in our communities, seeking mutual benefit and well-being.

• Always Find a Way: We are resourceful, creative, and persistent, looking for solutions in the face of challenges.

We welcome candidates who embody these core values and are committed to integrating them into their work.