Colorado Nonprofit Association

Assistant Director, Graduate Career & Professional Development

About the University of Denver

The University of Denver (DU), a private university, is the oldest independent university in the Rocky Mountain region, with approximately 12,900 students in undergraduate and graduate programs. DU is classified as an R1: Doctoral University – very high research activity as a Doctoral/Research University. Financial Times Higher Education, U.S. News, and The Princeton Review have consistently ranked DU among the nation’s top 100 universities and among the top three universities in the state of Colorado.

The University of Denver embodies the spirit of exploration and discovery that define our region and our history. With nationally recognized academic programs, a history of widespread influence, a forward-looking vision for a 21st-century education, and a deep commitment to promoting inclusion, we open a world of opportunity to students and empower Pioneers to make a difference around the world.

About DU Advancement

In preparation for the most ambitious philanthropic campaign in the University’s history, the University of Denver is building an advancement enterprise that mirrors the excellence and innovation of our great institution. Inclusive of alumni relations, development, and student and alumni career services, DU Advancement is building and fostering a culture of deep engagement and philanthropy in support of our bold vision.

The University of Denver and DU Advancement deeply value inclusive excellence, recognizing that its success is dependent on how well it values, engages, and includes the rich diversity of constituents. As a part of that effort, we are continuing to grow a team of inclusive, collaborative, inquisitive, innovative, ethical, and transparent advancement professionals who possess deep mutual respect for one another and for our shared profession.

About Career & Professional Development

Career and Professional Development (CPD) is a part of the Global Networks team within DU’s Advancement office. CPD is one of five offices on campus providing career development services to a diverse community of DU students and alumni. CPD serves the majority of the undergraduate programs, University College, multiple graduate programs, and alumni not served by the other career services offices on campus. We provide a full range of services including one-on-one career advising, workshops, programming/events, career fairs, on-campus recruiting, access to thousands of jobs, internships and alumni and employer connections. Career & Professional Development is a very fast-paced, busy office that connects with students, faculty, staff, a wide variety of departments and divisions across campus, employers, parents and the community.

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Graduate Career Development Advising reports directly to the Director, Graduate Career & Professional Development and provides a comprehensive array of career services for graduate students from University College, the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences and the Graduate School of Professional Psychology. This is accomplished in-person and virtually through individual appointments, class presentations, programming and events that demonstrate an understanding of the unique topics and concerns of graduate students. The Assistant Director collaborates with other Career and Professional Development teams to strategically develop programming and services that engage and support students. Also, the Assistant Director must demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Essential Functions

Career Advising

• Provide advising services that are strategically focused for the degree seeking graduate students attending these three colleges: University College, the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences and the Graduate School of Professional Psychology
• Deliver 1:1 career advising through in-person, phone, and virtual appointments including resume/CV/cover letter reviews, job search strategy assistance, informational interviews, networking guidance, career assessments, interview practice and coaching, and salary/offer negotiation assistance.
• Build and deliver (in-person and virtual) strategic programming and events that cater to the unique career needs of graduate students from diverse backgrounds, specifically related to the industry and functional areas within University College and the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, and the Graduate School of Professional Psychology.
• Establish and maintain relationships with Program Directors and Faculty within assigned units to engage with students in the classroom for class visits and presentations, and for marketing support for liaison-specific and campus wide events.
• Conduct research and become familiar with university specific resources, in addition to industry related resources to be shared with students.
• Accurately track student interactions and engagements in the Pioneer Careers Online (PCO) system and ensure all video content is captioned and uploaded.
• Develop marketing materials for liaison specific events and promote to relevant campus partners.
  Work with the Employer Connections team to identify potential employers for on-campus programs and events (e.g. industry panels).

Virtual Student Engagement

• Partner with Alumni Career & Professional Development to provide virtual cross-promotional programming that is strategically designed for the unique concerns of graduate students and alumni such as Career Bootcamps, Job Clubs and panels.
• Develop programming for virtual student and alumni engagement (e.g., videos, webinars, blogs) designed specifically for distance/hybrid learners that also reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students.
• Collaborate with Alumni Career and Professional Development and Employer Connections to identify alumni and employers for virtual programs serving graduate students and alumni.
• Stay abreast of best practices in virtual engagement to ensure that all tools and video content are engaging and meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

Additional Responsibilities & Campus Wide Programming

• Design and present trainings and events on career-related and professional development topics including topics specifically tailored to graduate students, alumni, and online learners.
• Build and deliver and support inclusive campus-wide programming and events (e.g., Interdisciplinary events, Job Clubs, career fairs presentations).
• Conduct targeted training for students through tailored classroom presentations.
• Connect with Office of Graduate Studies as well as Student Affairs & Inclusive Excellence to integrate career development topics into campus-wide programs and initiatives for graduate students.
• Coordinate with the communications and marketing staff to create and disseminate marketing materials, including identifying content relevant to audiences from diverse backgrounds.
• Conduct campus-wide as well as department specific trainings for new-student orientation as well as represent Career & Professional Development at relevant graduate student admissions programs and events.
• Collaborate with Assistant Director of Professional Mentoring to strategically integrate the 4D Student Experience into relevant programming as outlined in DU Impact 2025.
• Foster inclusive career practices by serving as a collaborative partner to all central and unit-based Advancement and Career & Professional Development functions and other campus colleagues.

University Citizenship

• Serve as an active and collaborative partner to all central and unit-based advancement functions and other campus colleagues, to foster strategic, effective, and collaborative fundraising practices.
• Model “One DU” thinking.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Cultural competency, ability to understand and appreciate cultural and experiential differences that impact student experience and to communicate effectively across cultures.
• Manage and provide comprehensive career services to individuals and groups of graduate students.
• Proficient in understanding the degrees and programs offered and practice a market-based approach in career planning and advising students.
• Knowledge of local, national, and international job markets.
• Knowledge of personal marketing and branding techniques.
• Must have strong spelling and grammar skills to critique cover letters and resumes and to develop marketing and communications materials.
• Willingness to take initiative, keep a positive attitude and maintain a professional demeanor.
• Strong organizational skills and strict attention to detail.
• Proven ability to work with a high level of independence, maintain confidentiality, prioritize assignments, manage time effectively and meet deadlines.
• Ability to develop relationships with stakeholders across campus.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of students, alumni, faculty, staff and employers.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education or work experience (Veterans with equivalent combination of military certification/education and experience may substitute for the degree qualification).
• 3 years of experience in career advising and/or coaching.
• Experience providing career presentations both in-person and online and developing career programs such as workshops and student/employer events for both traditional and non-traditional students and recent alumni.
• Experience in delivering career content and advising online.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in counseling, Higher Education, Student Affairs or related field.
• Experience in a higher education, or similarly complex environment.
• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and/or Strong Interest Inventory certification and experience using StrengthsFinder.
• Experience assisting clients in using effective strategies for job search including resumes/CV’s, cover letters, LinkedIn, interview preparation.

Working Environment

1. Open office environment.
2. Noise level is quiet to moderate.
3. Some nights and weekends as required. Eligible for hybrid work.

Physical Activities

1. Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period.
2. Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs. with assistance.

Work Schedule
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., some nights and weekends, as required.

Application Deadline
For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) September 25, 2023.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 10.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $55,000-$65,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age (40 years and over in the employment context), religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, veterans status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the university’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended in 2008; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For the university’s complete Non-Discrimination Statement, please see non‑discrimination‑statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.