Executive Director

The Executive Director of the Career Center oversees all aspects of Career Center operations, including visioning, strategic and financial planning, revenue generation, program development and delivery, technology utilization, assessment and evaluation, and human capital development and management.

The mission of the UGA Career Center is to prepare students for meaningful careers following graduation. To advance that mission, the Career Center offers a wide range of programs and services to engage and support undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, faculty, staff, and employers. These programs and services fall within four broad areas of focus: career consulting, employer relations, mentorship, and faculty support.

PROPOSED START DATE: 07/01/2025

LOCATION OF VACANCY: Athens Area

ADVERTISED SALARY: $140,000 commensurate qualifications and experience

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS

• This position is structured as a permanent position within the Division of Development & Alumni Relations. We are unable to sponsor a work visa for this position.
• Applicant screening will begin immediately. Candidates are encouraged to submit their materials by April 27, 2025; however, screening will continue until the position is filled. The application packet should include a cover letter detailing how the applicant’s credentials and experience meet the needs, responsibilities, and qualifications stated above and a current resume.
• To request a descriptive Opportunity Profile for this position, provide a nomination, or seek additional information, please contact Anjanette Russell, Primary Consultant with the UGA Search Group, 770-596-7596 or adsmith@uga.edu. Letters of recommendation or a simple nomination should include the name and contact information for the nominee.

VIEW ADDITIONAL DETAILS AND APPLY: https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/414067

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Requires at least a baccalaureate degree in the field. Please contact your Human Resources office for an evaluation of education/experience in lieu of the required minimum qualifications.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree from an accredited university.
• At least ten years of relevant professional experience.
• At least five years supervising professional staff.
• At least five years of budget management experience.
• At least three years’ experience leading career services in a higher education setting. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES and/or COMPETENCIES

Knowledge

• Knowledge of hiring and workplace trends and their implications for career development and placement.
• Knowledge of technology applications in the career services field.
• Knowledge of best practices, principles, and standards governing higher education career services.

Experience

• Experience setting, operationalizing, and executing short- and long-term goals for organizational growth.
• Experience forming internal and external partnerships to advance organizational goals.
• Experience fostering and managing multiple multifaceted enterprise-level relationships.
• Experience hiring, supervising, leading, and supporting diverse teams of professional staff.
• Experience with budget planning and management.
• Experience generating revenue through fundraising opportunities and programmatic initiatives.
• Experience setting and meeting individual-level and team-level performance metrics.
• Experience conceiving, organizing, and managing complex projects and programs.
• Experience using technology to expand impact and gain efficiencies.
• Experience collaborating across multiple constituencies inside and outside the organization.

Abilities

• Ability to lead a large team through change and innovation.
• Ability to communicate effectively (in written and oral form) and respectfully with diverse stakeholders, including executive higher education and business leaders.
• Ability to translate complex ideas and information into common language.
• Ability to navigate complex academic and corporate organizations to accomplish goals.
• Ability to create, organize, compare, and interpret data to drive business insights and decisions.
• Ability to effectively coach and mentor direct reports and other staff.

Additional Division Expectations:

• Through open, honest, and respectful communication, all staff, supervisors, and colleagues of the Division of Development & Alumni Relations are expected to interact with fairness, compassion, and decency. All employees will be held accountable for meeting the expectation of promoting a stable, productive, and healthy work environment.
• Adherence to CASE standards and commonly accepted industry standards relating to fundraising reporting are expected of all fundraisers. All fundraisers will be held accountable for meeting this expectation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Work in a standard office environment
• Travel in and out of state
• Willingness and flexibility to work nights and weekends necessary
• Work using electronic mail, telephone, face-to-face discussions, paper form correspondence
• Communicate effectively in writing, speaking, and listening
• Organize and establish priorities; Remember detail; multi-task
• Lift and/or move up to 20 pounds
• Walk, stand, stoop, lift, kneel, climb

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Executive Leadership (65%)
• External Partnerships and Engagement (25%)
• UGA Service and Support (10%)

ABOUT THE DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENT & AUMNI RELATIONS

The Division of Development and Alumni Relations at the University of Georgia advances the goals, objectives, and priorities of the university by generating private financial support, building, and maintaining relationships with alumni and donors, and assisting students with career development opportunities.

ABOUT THE UGA CAREER CENTER

The University of Georgia Career Center is the provider of centralized career services to undergraduate, graduate students, and alumni at The University of Georgia. Career Center staff work collaboratively with faculty and staff of all departments to enhance the career success of University of Georgia students/alumni. Several of the “nuts & bolts” services the UGA Career Center provides to its students include career counseling, job search training, and opportunities to connect with employers.

The Career Center also serves as a corporate gateway to the University by helping employers meet key faculty/staff, understand culture and curriculum, and successfully recruit UGA students and alumni. A broad group of corporate, government, and nonprofit employers recruit at the University of Georgia, and the Career Center facilitates this process through career fairs, on-campus interviews, and a variety of recruiting and educational programs and events.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly formed School of Medicine.

EEO POLICY STATEMENT

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG CORE VALUES STATEMENT

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.