Edtech.com's Summary

Utah State University is hiring an Associate Vice President for Career Readiness. The role directs the career development ecosystem campus-wide by providing strategic leadership, partnering with academic divisions to integrate career competencies, and expanding equitable access to experiential learning and employment opportunities for students. The position also involves budget management, data-driven program assessment, and collaboration with employers and alumni to support student workforce readiness and career success.

Highlights

Lead institution-wide student career development aligned with the college's strategic plan.
Oversee the Career Design Center, Center for Community Engagement, and experiential learning initiatives.
Collaborate with academic leaders to embed career competencies into curricula and student experiences.
Manage budgets, resources, staffing, and program assessments using data analytics.
Build partnerships with employers, community organizations, and alumni to create internship and employment opportunities.
Provide training to foster inclusive and career-connected student employment on campus.
Required: Bachelor's degree with 11 years higher education experience including 7 years leadership; expertise in career services and workforce development.
Preferred: Master’s degree in related field; knowledge of workforce trends and experiential learning best practices.
Strong skills in leadership, budgeting, data analysis, change management, and strategic thinking are essential.
Reports to Vice President for Student Success and is a key member of divisional leadership focused on student retention and success.

Associate Vice President for Career Readiness Full Description

Overview:

The Associate Vice President for Career Readiness (AVPCR) serves as a senior campus leader responsible for advancing a comprehensive, institution-wide vision for student career development and post-graduation success. The AVPCR provides strategic direction, leadership, and oversight for the college’s career development ecosystem, ensuring that career exploration, experiential learning, and workforce readiness are embedded throughout the student experience.

Reporting to the Vice President for Student Success, the AVPCR provides guidance and oversight for the Career Design Center, the Center for Community Engagement and related experiential learning initiatives. This position will partner closely with academic divisions to integrate career competencies into the curriculum and programming. The AVPCR serves as a thought partner to deans, department chairs, and faculty to expand equitable access to internships, apprenticeships, and employment pathways for all students.

As a member of the Vice President’s leadership team, the AVP will have division-level responsibilities to advance divisional initiatives, promote career readiness campus wide, assist colleagues in understanding the importance of career development, and maintain focus on student-centered services.

Responsibilities:

Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for student career development aligned with the college’s strategic plan.
Champion a campus-wide culture of career readiness that integrates professional competencies across academic and co-curricular experiences.
Serve as a member of the Vice President’s leadership team, contributing to divisional strategy, student retention efforts, and institutional planning initiatives.
Oversee budget planning, resource allocation, staffing, and program assessment.
Establish measurable goals and use data analytics to inform continuous improvement and ensure programs meet evolving student and workforce needs.
Expand and strengthen relationships with employers, industry partners, community organizations, and alumni to create meaningful internship, apprenticeship, and employment opportunities.
Lead efforts to engage alumni in mentorship, networking, and career programming initiatives.
Provide training and resources for on-campus supervisors to foster inclusive, developmental, and career-connected student employment practices.
Serve as a member of the divisional leadership team, as well as represent the division on various committees, work group and task forces related to student success.
Lead institutional reporting and compliance related to career outcomes, state workforce data tracking, and accreditation requirements.
Ensure compliance with federal, state and university laws and policies.

Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in a related field with eleven years of experience in higher education, including seven years of leadership experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Progressive leadership experience in career services, workforce development, or student success initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage budgets, and oversee complex programs.
Experience building partnerships across academic and administrative units.
Strong analytical skills with experience using assessment and outcomes data.
Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing, and leading successful initiatives in college/university career development/services.
Commitment to centering the work on the current needs of students.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, or a related field
Experience engaging employers, alumni, and community stakeholders in career initiatives.
Knowledge of workforce trends, experiential learning models, and national best practices in career readiness.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Strong understanding of student development theories, student populations, and best practices in higher education.
Excellent leadership, communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to make data-driven decisions to maintain a nimble environment.
Strong problem-solving skills.
Budget management experience.
Change management and innovation.
Commitment to student-centered practices.
Ability to think strategically and see the big picture of this role in the broader landscape of student retention.

Required Documents:
Along with the online application, please attach:
1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
2. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application
3. Names and contact information of at least three references should be provided at the beginning of the application. Letters of recommendation will only be requested from final candidates.

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**
Advertised Salary: Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits ADA:
Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms and may lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
College/Department Highlights:
The Division of Student Success supports Utah State University’s mission of learning, discovery, and engagement by focusing on the full lifecycle of a learner, from enrollment through graduation. Our division is committed to increasing not only access to education, but access to graduation. We are driven by a passion for student success, achieved by looking beyond the standard practices and pushing each other towards best practices.
University Highlights:
Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by recent Mountain West regular-season and tournament championships in women’s volleyball, three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in women’s soccer conference championships, and a first-ever conference championship for gymnastics, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu.

*updated 12/2025
Notice of Non-discrimination:
In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:
Matthew PinnerExecutive Director Civil Rights & Title IX Officematthew.pinner@usu.edu435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 401D1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322 | Cody CarmichaelTitle IX Coordinator cody.carmichael@usu.edu435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 402D1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322
For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education
Denver Regional Office
303-844-5695| OCR.Denver@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education
Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
800-421-3481 | OCR@ed.gov

*updated 10/2025

Original Job Description

Overview:

Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for student career development aligned with the college’s strategic plan.
Champion a campus-wide culture of career readiness that integrates professional competencies across academic and co-curricular experiences.
Serve as a member of the Vice President’s leadership team, contributing to divisional strategy, student retention efforts, and institutional planning initiatives.
Oversee budget planning, resource allocation, staffing, and program assessment.
Establish measurable goals and use data analytics to inform continuous improvement and ensure programs meet evolving student and workforce needs.
Expand and strengthen relationships with employers, industry partners, community organizations, and alumni to create meaningful internship, apprenticeship, and employment opportunities.
Lead efforts to engage alumni in mentorship, networking, and career programming initiatives.
Provide training and resources for on-campus supervisors to foster inclusive, developmental, and career-connected student employment practices.
Serve as a member of the divisional leadership team, as well as represent the division on various committees, work group and task forces related to student success.
Lead institutional reporting and compliance related to career outcomes, state workforce data tracking, and accreditation requirements.
Ensure compliance with federal, state and university laws and policies.

Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in a related field with eleven years of experience in higher education, including seven years of leadership experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Progressive leadership experience in career services, workforce development, or student success initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage budgets, and oversee complex programs.
Experience building partnerships across academic and administrative units.
Strong analytical skills with experience using assessment and outcomes data.
Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing, and leading successful initiatives in college/university career development/services.
Commitment to centering the work on the current needs of students.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, or a related field
Experience engaging employers, alumni, and community stakeholders in career initiatives.
Knowledge of workforce trends, experiential learning models, and national best practices in career readiness.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Strong understanding of student development theories, student populations, and best practices in higher education.
Excellent leadership, communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to make data-driven decisions to maintain a nimble environment.
Strong problem-solving skills.
Budget management experience.
Change management and innovation.
Commitment to student-centered practices.
Ability to think strategically and see the big picture of this role in the broader landscape of student retention.

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Associate Vice President for Career Readiness

Edtech.com's Summary

Associate Vice President for Career Readiness Full Description

Director of Career Planning & Development

Manager for Experiential Learning

Manager for Career Data, Technology, and Engagement

Program Director, Employer Relations

Nudge Enabled Remote Advising (NERA) Advisor, KIPP Forward