Career Center

Virginia Tech is a public land-grant research university committed to pushing the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. Inspired by its land-grant identity and guided by the motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech is an inclusive community of knowledge, discovery, and creativity dedicated to improving the quality of life and the human condition within the Commonwealth of Virginia and throughout the world.  Virginia Tech seeks candidates who adopt and practice the Principles of Community, which are fundamental to the university’s ongoing efforts to increase access and inclusion and to create a community that nurtures learning and growth. Virginia Tech actively seeks a broad spectrum of candidates to join its community in preparing leaders for the world. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and a leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers about 280 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 37,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students across the commonwealth and manages a research portfolio of more than $556 million. Virginia Tech has a 2,600-acre main campus in Blacksburg, Virginia; a significant presence across the commonwealth, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, and sites in Newport News and Richmond; educational and research facilities across the state; a study-abroad site in Switzerland; and a 1,800-acre agriculture research farm near the main campus.

Reporting to the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Academic Affairs, the Executive Director of Career and Professional Development provides strategic, innovative, and collaborative leadership to support career exploration, career decision-making and development, work-based experiences, and successful planning and transition to post-graduation employment and graduate/professional school matriculation for Virginia Tech students, both undergraduate and graduate. The Executive Director develops collaborative relationships and partnerships with campus stakeholders and local, national, and international employing organizations to accomplish Career and Professional Development’s mission. Further, the Executive Director leads a team of more than 30 employees and stewards fiscal and physical resources (Smith Career Center building) in compliance with university business practices. It is an expectation of the Executive Director to participate in university committees, working groups, and initiatives and represent the university with external stakeholders and partners in support of employment of graduates and workforce initiatives aligned with Virginia Tech’s land-grant mission.

The successful candidate will have a master's degree in higher education, student affairs administration, counselor education, or related field and demonstrated leadership within a comprehensive career services operation, including career counseling, experiential education, and employer recruiting services. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience building collaborative relationships with academic departments and colleges to support career exploration, professional development, and first-destination success for undergraduate and graduate students. In addition, demonstrated experience building relationships with employers on behalf of students, knowledge of strategic planning and data-informed decision-making, fiscal management, assessment, and supervision, and a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are all required qualifications. To be successful in this fast-paced work environment, candidates should be energetic, organized, capable of handling details effectively, and possess strong interpersonal, communication, and team skills.

Preferred qualifications include a doctoral degree in higher education, student affairs administration, counselor education, or related field and significant experience leading a comprehensive career services operation, including career counseling, experiential education, and employer recruiting services. Demonstrating data-informed decision-making experience to promote continuous improvement and innovation is highly desirable.

Review of applications will begin March 28, 2023, and continue until the position is filled. A resume with an accompanying cover letter may be submitted via the Spelman Johnson website at www.spelmanjohnson.com/open-positions. Nominations for this position may be emailed to Heather J. Larabee at hjl@spelmanjohnson.com. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.

The public salary range is $140K - $160K with relocation assistance to be negotiated.

Visit the Virginia Tech website at www.vt.edu

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, contact the executive director for Equity and Access at 540-231-8771 or Virginia Tech, North End Center, Suite 2300 (0318), 300 Turner St. NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061.

About Virginia Tech

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