Assistant Director for Career Experiences and Events

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Assistant Director of Career Experiences and Events serves as a key member of the Career Center leadership team in transforming students' academic learning into meaningful, career-ready experiences. This role drives the creation and expansion of high-impact, industry-based experiential learning opportunities that align seamlessly with academic objectives and co-curricular initiatives. Working in close partnership with faculty, academic departments, university stakeholders, and industry partners, the Assistant Director designs innovative pathways for career readiness. They lead initiatives such as career exploration events, immersive career treks, internships, externships, project-based learning, and job shadowing programs. The Assistant Director builds and nurtures relationships with local employers and community partners, identifies and secures funding to support program growth, and ensures all initiatives comply with university, CSU, and federal regulations, including EEO/ADA/AFF mandates. In addition to program development, this role promotes continuous improvement through rigorous data collection and impact assessment, using insights to refine programs and maximize student success. The position also provides oversight for the Career Hub. By bridging academic knowledge with real-world application, the Assistant Director plays a vital role in empowering students to embark on fulfilling career journeys, while strengthening connections between the university and the professional community.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement innovative career-readiness programs, including career exploration events, immersive career treks, internships, externships, project-based learning, and job shadowing initiatives
• Develop annual strategic plan and budget for the career experience programs and events to deliver an optimal student experience, including design and development of experiential learning engagements, opportunities, services, and related events
• Prepare and manage the career experience program and events budget to meet expense and revenue goals, including evaluating effectiveness of programs vis-a-vis resource investments
• Engage faculty, internal, and external campus partners to create, deliver, structure, and expand learning-aligned career experiences and career exploration events in SJSU
• Collaborate with the Alumni and Community Engagement to expand career experiences and career mentorship programs connected to alumni and their organizations
• Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with students, campus leadership and departments, and external employers
• Leverage the capabilities of SJSU Handshake, the career services system, available digital applications, and the knowledge of the career counselors to research, analyze and define student experiential learning needs and opportunity gaps
• Coordinate research and employment opportunities across multiple campus departments, and external employment opportunities included but not limited to, Financial Aid and Scholarship Office, Accounting, Payroll, Service-Learning, and University Personnel
• Collaborate with Associate Director for Career Education and career counselors to provide relevant development content for career experience participants that includes integrating employer viewpoints into professional-development programming

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated experience in developing and managing experiential learning programs
• Thorough knowledge of standards and practices in experiential learning for early career development
• Knowledge of career experiences, internships, experiential learning, and early career employment trends
• Strong ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders, including faculty, employers, and community partners
• Knowledge of promotion/marketing techniques, including strong relationship-building skills and public relations
• Skilled in strategic engagement planning, including research-based market segment identification and targeted outreach strategies
• Proven track record in securing funding and managing program budgets
• Knowledge of higher education compliance standards, including EEO, ADA, and affirmative action policies
• Exceptional analytical skills to assess program effectiveness and drive continuous improvement
• Survey development, execution, validation, analysis, and basic statistical reporting
• Ability to interpret and apply project requirements, gather and analyze data, reason logically, draw conclusions, and make recommendations
• Strong knowledge of event management
• Basic project management skills, including establishing charters, milestones, schedules, and team responsibilities
• Strong presentation skills with the ability to design content for diverse audiences, from students to employers
• Skilled in using social networking resources like LinkedIn and internet job search platforms
• Ability to perform accurately in a detail-oriented environment and handle multiple priorities
• Excellent teamwork skills with the ability to give and receive feedback
• Strong customer service and public relations skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive communications
• Ability to effectively support and collaborate with diverse populations
• Ability to travel locally and accommodate occasional early or late work hours

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree and/or equivalent training
• Four (4) years of administrative work experience involving study, analysis, and/or evaluation leading to the development or improvement of administrative policies, procedures, practices, or programs

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in Education, Higher Education Administrations, Human Resources, Business, or a related field
• Three years of progressive experience in career services, university relations, human resources, or talent acquisition and development within higher education or a similar environment
• Experience in designing and implementing career experiences programming such as internships, externships, or other experiential learning
• Experience collaborating with employers and building partnerships to create career experience opportunities for students
• Experience with data collection and analysis to assess program effectiveness

Compensation

Classification: Administrative Analyst/Specialist - Exempt II
Anticipated Hiring Range: $7,500/month - $8,084/month
CSU Salary Range: $5,537/month - $10,014/month

San Jose State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: February 20, 2025 through April 14, 2025. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

University Personnel
jobs@sjsu.edu
408-924-2252

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San Jose State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San Jose State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San Jose State University (SJSU) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, transgender, or protected veteran status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. This policy applies to all SJSU students, faculty and staff programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus).