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Ohio State University

Lead Career Strategy Specialist

🇺🇸 Columbus, Ohio 🕑 Full-Time 💰 TBD 💻 Career Services 🗓️ September 20th, 2026
Career

Edtech.com's Summary

Ohio State University is hiring a Lead Career Strategy Specialist to serve as the strategic lead for MBA and WPMBA career management services at Fisher College of Business, overseeing the student lifecycle from orientation through post-graduate outcomes. The specialist tracks labor-market shifts and employer expectations to shape coaching frameworks, leads Fisher’s signature career programming, and provides both individual and cohort-based coaching to MBA students. The role also leads the MBA Career Coaching team and manages employer and alumni engagement.

Highlights
  • Serves as strategic lead for MBA and WPMBA career management services, from orientation through post-graduate outcomes
  • Monitors labor market shifts, including AI-assisted screening and employer expectations, to update coaching frameworks
  • Leads signature programs such as Career Pathways, Career Treks, Industry Immersion, and Employer Panels
  • Introduces new processes, metrics, and models to elevate career programming
  • Partners with university stakeholders such as MBA Student Relations to align on institutional goals
  • Expands employer and alumni engagement, recruiting pipelines, and mentorship opportunities
  • Tracks and reports employment outcomes to support benchmarking and accreditation
  • Provides individualized and cohort-based coaching on recruiting cycles, career pivots, and executive presence
  • Leads the MBA Career Coaching team, setting performance expectations and delivering feedback
  • Requires a bachelor's degree in business administration, higher education, or a related field, and 6 years of career advising or student development experience

Lead Career Strategy Specialist Full Description

Job Title:
Lead Career Strategy Specialist

Department:
Fisher College | Career Services

As part of the Office of Career Management, the MBA Lead Career Strategy Specialist in coordination with the Senior Director serves as the strategic lead and architect for MBA and WPMBA career management services, overseeing the entire student lifecycle from orientation through post-graduate outcomes while ensuring program quality, success, and continuous improvement.
Central to the position is proactively monitoring shifts in the labor market such as AI-assisted screening, industry trends, and employer expectations, and translating those insights into updated programming, coaching frameworks, and employer engagement strategies; leads Fisher’s signature programs such as Career Pathways, Career Treks, Industry Immersion, and Employer Panels that deepen students’ sector-specific knowledge and create a competitive advantage in the MBA hiring market, while also introducing new processes, metrics, and models that elevate the institution’s overall career programming; working cross functionally with college and university partners such as MBA Student Relations to align with the goals and expectations of the institution and supports employer and alumni engagement by cultivating strategic relationships, proactively expanding recruiting pipelines, facilitating mentorship opportunities, and ensuring accurate tracking and reporting of employment outcomes to support benchmarking, accreditation, and long-term strategic planning.
The position provides high-impact, individualized and cohort-based coaching to MBA and WPMBA students, guiding them through the complexities of internships and MBA recruiting cycles, career pivots, and leadership positioning through nuanced conversations around executive presence, crafting a compelling career narrative, navigating experienced-hire expectations, and negotiating compensation. The MBA Lead Career Strategy Specialist incorporates evidence-based assessments, individual development planning, and structured reflection to help students align their strengths, values, and goals with realistic market opportunities, while proactively anticipating challenges such as economic fluctuations, recruiting volatility, and the added complexity of non-traditional or transitioning career paths.
The role also includes leading the MBA Career Coaching team, setting clear performance expectations, delivering ongoing feedback, supporting professional development and ensuring staff remain current on business trends, employer needs, and modern coaching methodologies. It requires modeling proactive leadership, fostering innovation, and guiding the team through complex student scenarios, including international recruiting strategies and significant career pivots.

Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Higher Education, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; 6 years’ experience in career advising, student development, or a related area; Outstanding communication skills with individuals and large groups; Ability to manage multiple projects and duties simultaneously; Excellent organizational skills; Strong ability to connect with people and build relationships; Knowledge of online education platforms; Proficiency with technology tools including Canvas (or similar), Handshake (or similar), Zoom, and Microsoft Teams; Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment; Familiarity with career development theory; Understanding of the graduate career management industry

Desired Qualifications
Master’s degree and 8-12 years of experience in a higher education setting, or equivalent combination of education and professional experience; Experience in corporate learning and development, talent acquisition, or human resources; Experience working with graduate students; Experience working with employers seeking MBA talent

Additional Information:
The actual salary paid to an individual will vary based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, education, years of experience, internal equity, etc.

Location:
Gerlach Hall (0250)
Position Type:
Regular
Scheduled Hours:
40
Shift:
First Shift

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.
The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.