How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position. We welcome applicants with disabilities and support individuals in requesting accommodations.
Who We Are
At the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS), we are at the forefront of building a more sustainable and just world for all by transforming the impact of higher education and reimagining the future. We are advancing action through innovation, research, education and engagement in society, and developing leaders who are empowered to halt the climate crisis and create an environmentally sound future for generations to come.
To learn more about SEAS and our values, please visit our website at https://seas.umich.edu/about/seas-values
The University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) and PitE Student Center facilitates the educational and professional development of undergraduate and graduate students in becoming impactful leaders in the fields of environment and sustainability.
Job Summary
A full job description for this position can be found here.
As the Director of Career Services, you will provide strategic leadership, vision, and oversight for career services in the School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) and the Program in the Environment (PitE) Student Center/Services. You will expand the number, quality, and diversity of internship and employment opportunities available to undergraduate and graduate students, guiding employer and alumni engagement strategy, overseeing data-informed career planning, and leading a team of career services professionals.
In collaboration with the Assistant Dean, PitE Faculty Director, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, career services team, alumni relations and development staff, faculty, and campus partners, the Director develops and implements a comprehensive career services strategy for SEAS and PitE students. You will provide leadership for connecting our students to experiences and networks that will further their career goals. This role is primarily providing strategic direction, coordination, and guidance alongside the career services team, Alumni Relations, and Development colleagues who lead the day-to-day external engagement with employers and alumni.
The Director serves as the primary liaison and strategist for relationships with other University of Michigan career services professionals and represents SEAS and PitE in campus-wide career initiatives.
Candidates for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Responsibilities*
Strategic Leadership
- Provide strategic leadership for SEAS and PitE career services, overseeing student career outcomes, employer and alumni engagement, professional development programming, and overall service delivery.
- Collaborate with academic and administrative leadership to establish career services priorities, assess program effectiveness, and ensure academic programs align with workforce and employment trends.
- Lead strategic initiatives, partnerships, budget planning, and resource allocation while serving as the primary liaison to University career services partners and ensuring compliance with industry best practices and applicable regulations.
Employer and Alumni Engagement
- Develop and maintain strategic relationships with employers, alumni, and external partners across government, nonprofit, private-sector, research, and community organizations to expand career opportunities for students.
- Lead employer engagement and communications strategies that increase recruitment activity, internships, employment opportunities, networking events, and experiential learning opportunities for SEAS and PitE students.
- Represent the school externally by promoting student talent, strengthening professional networks, and participating in professional associations to build partnerships and identify emerging workforce trends.
Master's Capstone Leadership and Experiential Learning
- Lead and oversee the SEAS Master's Capstone program, coordinating strategy, communications, timelines, stakeholder engagement, and administrative processes to ensure a successful student experience.
- Collaborate with faculty, staff, students, communications teams, and external partners to support the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of the Capstone process.
- Expand experiential learning opportunities by developing and maintaining strong pipelines for internships, projects, and employer partnerships that connect students with organizations across multiple sectors.
Team Leadership and Staff Supervision
- Provide leadership and supervision to the career services team, including setting goals, priorities, workflows, and performance expectations.
- Support staff development, performance management, and professional growth while fostering collaboration and accountability across the team.
- Lead team planning and coordination efforts to ensure effective delivery of advising, employer engagement, experiential learning, student programming, and career outcome initiatives.
Data Analytics, Management and Assessment
- Lead the assessment, analysis, and continuous improvement of career services programs by leveraging student feedback, career outcomes data, and placement metrics to enhance student success and career readiness.
- Oversee career services data management, reporting, and compliance, ensuring accurate, secure, and ethical collection and maintenance of student, employer, alumni, and placement information.
- Use data-driven insights to inform strategic planning, resource allocation, employer engagement, staffing priorities, professional development opportunities, and improvements to graduate placement services.
Required Qualifications*
- Master's degree in sustainability, environmental science, counseling, higher education administration, business administration, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Individuals with a bachelor's degree and significant experience will be considered.
- Three (3) years of experience in career services environments with an emphasis on program development and employer engagement.
- Two (2) years of experience supervising teams or leading committees and initiatives.
- Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining relationships with external partners, employers, or other relevant parties.
- Demonstrated experience adapting to changes in career and employment industry trends.
- Demonstrated experience managing sensitive or student data in compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Demonstrated experience using technology, data systems, and emerging tools to improve organizational effectiveness. E.g. Streamline career services operations
- Demonstrated experience of enhancing student access to internship and employment opportunities.
- Working knowledge of current employment trends and best practices for job seekers.
- A strong commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and student-centered environment, and to the mission of SEAS.
Why Work at Michigan?
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
- Generous time off
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.