Senior Assistant Director, Employer Engagement and Professional Connections - The Career Center

Senior Assistant Director, Employer Engagement and Professional Connections - The Career Center

The Career Center

The Career Center is committed to empowering Illinois students through individualized coaching, meaningful opportunities, and the development of lifelong career management skills. Guided by a student-centered approach, we strive to deliver exceptional service, provide evidence-based resources grounded in career and student development theory, and foster a collaborative, inclusive team environment. Through strong partnerships, continuous learning, purposeful innovation, and a shared commitment to leadership, we work to advance student success while serving as leaders within the University of Illinois career services community and the broader profession.

Job Summary

Serves as a member of The Career Center's Leadership Team, contributing to a collaborative and innovative environment dedicated to the career development and success of all Illinois students. Oversees the personnel and budget for the Employer Engagement and Professional Connections team. Responsible for developing strategies to connect students to experiential learning, internship, and employment opportunities, as well as fostering relationships with employers and other stakeholders who provide experiential learning opportunities and/or recruit students for jobs and internships. Leads the campus-wide Handshake@Illinois Users Group and contributes to the operation of Handshake@Illinois within The Career Center.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Leadership
• Lead the Employer Relations and Professional Connections team, including oversight of team budget, direct supervision of professional staff, and indirect supervision of paraprofessionals
• 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
• Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of career development services and programs with a particular focus on job and internship search strategies and interviewing
• Contribute to day-to-day operation of Handshake@Illinois within The Career Center and lead the campuswide Handshake@Illinois Users Group
• Oversee the maintenance and updates to the HireIllini website
• 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
• Engagement with Key Stakeholders
• Develop, maintain, and actively cultivate relationships with external stakeholders and campus partners who provide experiential learning opportunities and/or recruit students for jobs and internships
• Oversee services and events that connect students to jobs, internships, and experiential learning activities, including the oversight of three to five career fairs annually and on-campus recruiting activities
• Develop and implement outreach and engagement initiatives that engage employers and external stakeholders in partnership with the broader Illinois career services community
• Oversee development, maintenance, and management of contact database (CRM)
• Create and deliver presentations for a variety of audiences, including parents, campus partners and external colleagues
• Direct Service to Students
• Coach students one-on-one and in groups regarding career exploration and planning, employment/internship search, and graduate or professional school preparation and application
• Deliver workshops and programs that empower career choice and action, as well as enhance the career readiness of students

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• A total of five (5) years (60 months) in education, training, and/or work experience in employer engagement, career services, educational programming, student advising, student support services, and/or human resources.
• Demonstrated experience creating and delivering educational workshops.
• Experience with outreach to stakeholders.
• Experience supervising staff.

(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, human resources or related field.
• Credentialed as a career coach or counselor through one of the national career development organizations.
• Experience in career coaching/advising, and/or working with college students.
• Experience managing the use of Handshake, Symplicity CSM, or other career services management platforms.
• Experience that demonstrates knowledge of college recruiting practices, hiring practices, and career services management systems.
• Experience that demonstrates understanding career and student development theory and practice.
• Experience that demonstrates leadership capabilities.
• Experience developing and maintaining professional relationships.
• Experience developing and fostering strategic partnerships.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent communication and public presentations skills with ability to clearly articulate thoughts and ideas.
• Openness, inclusiveness, sensitivity to cultural differences, and the ability to interact with all people.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills with ability to exercise sound reasoning to analyze issues and make data-informed decisions.
• Ability to 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 9/1/2026. The budgeted salary range for this position is $71,000-$74,000.

This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.

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 (Central Time) on Monday, July 27, 2026 . 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. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Arianna Agramonte Holterman, agramont@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next . Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

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, 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. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal , or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu .

Requisition ID : 1037004

Job Category : Professional and Administrative

Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu