Senior Assistant Director for Inclusion Initiatives
Job Summary
The Senior Assistant Director for Inclusion Initiatives, as a member of The Career Center's Leadership Team, provides oversight for development, delivery, and assessment of services, resources, and programs that respond to the career development needs of specific populations, such as students who are underrepresented, marginalized, and/or first-generation, as well as international students. The role leads the newly launched FOCUS (Fostering Opportunity, Community, and Unwavering Support) initiative which seeks to mitigate the disparities in post-graduation outcomes for underrepresented and first-generation students. The Senior Assistant Director is part of a collaborative and innovative team committed to the career development and success of all Illinois students. They must be passionate about interacting with students, thrive in a team environment, and be committed to working in partnership to advance equity in career development.
Duties & Responsibilities
Leadership (50%)
• Lead the Inclusion team, including oversight of team budget, direct supervision of professional and paraprofessional staff
• Serve as a member of The Career Center’s Leadership Team responsible for developing goals and strategies to reach unit objectives
• Work in collaboration with other team leads to ensure services, outreach, and stakeholder engagement is coordinated, impactful, and effectively uses Center resources and staff
• Lead development, delivery, and assessment of career development services, workshops, and programs specifically designed to engage and meet the needs of underrepresented, marginalized, and/or first-generation students, including implementation of the FOCUS initiative
• Assess, analyze, and report on engagement and impact of services, workshops, and programs to facilitate continuous improvement
• Serve as an advisor and contributor of content for print and online educational resources and marketing materials
• Serve on The Career Center, Student Affairs and/or campus committees, task forces, work groups, and advisory committees, as well as participate in development activities and associations
Engagement with Key Stakeholders (25%)
• Develop, maintain, and actively cultivate relationships with campus partners and key stakeholders from industry and philanthropic organizations to support and enthusiastically engage in the FOCUS initiative and other programs at the intersection of career development and DEI
• Develop and foster partnerships with diverse student populations and offices that serve underrepresented students
• Contribute to development and implementation of collaborative student-facing career development initiatives, with emphasis on the career development needs of students from historically underrepresented backgrounds, in partnership with the broader Illinois career services community
Direct Service to Students (25%)
• Coach students one-on-one and in groups regarding career exploration and planning, employment/internship search, and graduate or professional school preparation and application
• Develop and implement career development programs that empower career choice and action, and enhance career readiness of students, with a focus on diversity
Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree
• Four years of professional work experience
• Experience working with first-generation, low-income, and/or students from historically underrepresented backgrounds
• Experience in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion, including an understanding of the historical and social context of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the complexities of the intersections of identities
• Experience creating and facilitating educational programs, workshops, and/or delivering public presentations
• Experience working in a collaborative team environment
Note: Master’s Degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1) year of work experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Master’s degree
• Educational background in counseling, education, student affairs, or related field
• Credentialed as a career coach or counselor through one of the national career development organizations
• Experience in higher education, career coaching/advising, and/or working with college students
• Experience that demonstrates understanding of career and student development theory and practice
• Experience that demonstrates leadership capabilities
• Experience developing and maintaining professional relationships, as well as strategic partnerships
• Experience planning, implementing, managing, and evaluating educational programs
• Experience with advancement or corporate relations within higher education
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
· Excellent verbal, public speaking, writing, and listening skills with ability to clearly articulate thoughts and ideas
· Openness, inclusiveness, sensitivity to cultural differences, and the ability to interact with all people, understand individual differences, and relate with a diverse student population
· Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills with ability to exercise sound reasoning to analyze issues and make data-informed decisions
· Demonstrate personal accountability, effective work habits, and ability to handle multiple work priorities
· Ability to work within a team structure while leveraging the strengths of others to achieve common goals
· Ability to build and sustain relationships with colleagues and stakeholders
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5003 - Program Director position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 3/20/2023. Salary is commensurate with experience.
For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on February 6, 2023. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Marsha Mwilambwe at mlmwila1@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.