Senior Director, Financial Services Careers, Darden School of Business

The University of Virginia Darden School of Business seeks a Senior Director, Financial Services Careers to join its Full-Time MBA career coaching team. Darden is experiencing strong momentum across our MBA programs, making this an exciting time to join the team. Darden is ranked the:

• #1 Percentage of Graduates Employed at 3 Months, Class of 2024 (Financial Times, 2025)
• #1 Starting Salary & Bonus Among Public Business Schools (U.S. News & World Report 2019-2024)
• #1 Faculty and #1 Best Campus Environment (The Princeton Review, 2024)
• #1 U.S. Public MBA Program (Bloomberg Businessweek 2024)

Darden’s Career Center provides over 1,200 graduate business students (Full Time, Part Time, Executive, and Specialty Masters) with one-on-one professional career advising, lifelong career management skills, and exceptional internship and job search support. The center supports our full-time residential students at our Goodwin Family Grounds in Charlottesville, VA and our working professional students at our Sands Family Grounds in Rosslyn, VA. Our team is driven by a commitment to student success and thrives on helping students maximize their opportunities.

The center engages hundreds of companies that recruit and hire students for careers in consulting, investment banking, general management, asset management, private equity/venture capital, and more. Many more employers engage Darden talent via virtual recruiting technologies and platforms. In 2025, the center expects to manage over 1,000 job postings and host over 400 in-person and virtual recruiting events. Our employer partnership model helps organizations meet their hiring goals while fostering long-term relationships with the school. It also includes generating new relationships to meet the needs and interests of our student body—interests including geography, industry, and functional preferences. 

The Senior Director plays a critical role in supporting MBA students exploring and pursuing financial services careers while fostering strong relationships with top employers. Through personalized, one-on-one coaching, they will listen to students’ journeys and aspirations, empathize with their challenges, and help them plan. By providing thoughtful feedback, sharing their own experiences, and offering strategic career guidance, the Senior Director will empower students to navigate the job search with confidence. They will also stay ahead of industry trends, lead industry-focused workshops, and serve as a key connector between students and employers—helping companies meet their hiring needs while preparing students for competitive internships and full-time opportunities.

Darden MBA students explore career paths in one or more areas in the broad sector of financial services, including:

• Asset or Investment Management/Research, including OCIO and Private Wealth Management (Family Office roles included)
• Private Equity and Venture Capital (Investment & Fund Management)
• Real Estate
• Insurance
• Treasury & Risk Management, including Financial Advisory & Consulting and Accounting Services
• Hedge Funds
• Commercial banking, corporate or consumer lending, credit rating agencies, and other diversified financial services

While this role focuses on financial services outside of investment banking & capital markets, fintech & payment services and venture capital operating or CXO opportunities, professionals with backgrounds in these areas are welcome to apply, particularly if they bring broader financial services expertise. 

The Senior Director will develop and execute a vision for a deeper engagement between students and employers in this global industry. Ideal candidates may have experience in:

• Career coaching or career services experience, advising MBA students on financial services career paths and strengthening employer relationships
• Consulting for financial services firms, with expertise in hiring trends, industry demands, and MBA career transitions
• Leadership roles in professional development or MBA hiring within a financial services firm
• University relations or campus recruiting, hiring MBAs for financial services roles, understanding employer needs and coaching students effectively
• Financial services roles in private equity, asset management, or real estate, with a passion for mentorship, career development, and employer relationship building

The Senior Director, Financial Services Careers, joins a team of 7 sector coaches in: consulting, investment banking, marketing & general management (including fintech), technology, healthcare/energy/non-profit/sustainability, entrepreneurship, specialized or off-Grounds searches, and international job searches.

This position is based in our Charlottesville office, with potential hybrid flexibility during the summer (late May to late July) at the discretion of leadership and based on business needs.

Responsibilities:

• Coach MBA students interested in financial services career paths through individual advising, small group sessions, and targeted career development resources (one-on-one coaching approximately 40%)
• Expand Darden’s industry presence by building relationships with alumni, executives, and recruiters—enhancing job sourcing, strengthening partnerships, and promoting the school’s brand
• Advise financial services employers on effective strategies for hiring Darden MBA talent, providing industry insights to enhance their recruiting success
• Leverage industry expertise and professional connections to facilitate student access to job opportunities, mentorship, and career guidance (employer engagement activities approximately 35%)
• Improve the quality of career outcomes for students pursuing financial services by increasing job placement speed and enhancing compensation results
• Design and deliver career programming (e.g., classroom learning series, workshops, industry panels, online resources) to introduce students to financial services employers and career opportunities
• Join forces with a high-impact team of career coaches to strengthen industry insights, improve best practices, and holistically support students, employers, and key stakeholders
• Collaborate with the Mayo Center and the Batten Institute to connect students with experiential learning opportunities. Ensure students are aware of and actively engage in programs such as the Private Equity Initiative, Venture Capital Initiative, Mayo Center Fellowship, Breakthrough Scholars Program, Darden Venture Fellows Program, and Darden Capital Management to gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and industry exposure
• Support the Breakthrough Scholars program by advising scholarship recipients, coordinating with Darden Foundation and Mayo Center teams, and advancing career pathways in private equity, venture capital, and asset management.
• Mentor student organizations, including the Finance Club, Entrepreneurship & Venture Capital Club, Darden Capital Management Club, Real Estate Club, and Private Equity Club, providing industry insights and career support
• Partner with the Business Development and Recruiting Operations teams to strengthen employer relationships, expand corporate partnerships, and create high-impact career opportunities for students
• Support rotating strategic and operational projects that enhance career coaching and department efficiency, including student programming, employer engagement, technology, data analysis, and process improvements

Education and Professional Experience:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) or terminal degree required; an MBA from a top-tier, full-time program preferred
• A minimum of 9 years of relevant business experience required, including at least 5 years of post-MBA work experience (preferred)
• Significant experience in the financial services industry required; direct exposure to financial services hiring, talent development, or leadership programs preferred
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain long-term, strategic relationships with key stakeholders, including executives, recruiters, and alumni
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience delivering presentations, facilitating workshops, or leading professional training programs (preferred)
• Strong emotional intelligence, demonstrated through empathy for students, integrity in decision-making, and collaboration within a team-based environment
• Commitment to and motivation by the mission, values, and impact of the University of Virginia and Darden School of Business

To Apply:

Apply online using the following link: http://jobs.virginia.edu/us/en/job/R0071183/Senior-Director-Financial-Services-Careers-Darden-School-of-Business. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile. Complete the application, and upload the following Required materials:

• Resume
• Cover letter detailing your interest in the position

***Please note that you MUST upload ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS into the CV/Resume box, into which multiple documents can be uploaded. Applications that do not contain all of the required documents will not receive full consideration.***

For this position, the selected candidate will need to complete the required background checks prior to the start date of the position. 

This position will remain open until filled.

Questions regarding the application process should be directed to Marcus Rozier, Academic Recruiter, at hjv5vm@virginia.edu.