Lead Career Education Coach

Position Overview

The Lead Career Coach serves as the department’s lead practitioner in career coaching and career education. This position provides direct student support while advancing coaching excellence through mentoring, training, workshop facilitation, and resource development. The role supports career readiness initiatives for undergraduate and graduate students across Montana State University.

• Career Coaching & Student Development
  :
  • Provide individual and group career coaching to undergraduate and graduate students.
  • Deliver workshops, classroom presentations, and career readiness programming.
  • Support students in career exploration, professional development, and job and internship preparation.
• Supervisory Duties
  :
  • Supervise team of Career coaches, providing day‑to‑day leadership, mentorship, and performance management.
  • Coordinate scheduling and coverage for coaching services, including appointments, workshops, and group sessions.
  • Organize and lead regular team meetings and one‑on‑one check‑ins to foster collaboration, team cohesion and continuous improvement.
  • Oversee the onboarding and ongoing training of new and continuing Career Coaches.
• Coaching Excellence & Team Development
  :
  • Serve as the department’s lead practitioner in career coaching and student engagement.
  • Support onboarding, mentoring, and professional development for coaches and student associates.
  • Develop and maintain coaching resources and promote quality and consistency across coaching services.
• Collaboration & Partnership
  :
  • Collaborate with faculty, campus partners, and employers to advance student career readiness.
  • Support career fairs, employer engagement activities, and outreach initiatives.
• Assessment & Continuous Improvement
  :
  • Maintain coaching records and contribute to assessment and continuous improvement efforts.
  • Identify student needs and recommend enhancements to coaching resources and services.

• Master’s degree in counseling, higher education, student affairs, education, human resources, communications, business, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience providing advising, coaching, counseling, mentoring, or career development services in a post‑secondary, workforce development, or professional setting.
• Experience designing and delivering workshops, presentations, training programs, or educational programming.
• Experience building relationships with diverse populations and supporting individuals through career‑related decision making.
• Demonstrated proficiency using technology to support student services, coaching, instruction, or program delivery.

• Experience providing career coaching in a college or university setting.
• Experience supporting graduate students, adult learners, or professionals navigating career transitions.
• Experience mentoring, training, or supporting the professional development of staff, student employees, or peer educators.
• Familiarity with career development theories, assessments, and coaching methodologies.
• Knowledge of workforce trends, labor market information, and employer recruiting practices.

• Build rapport and establish trust with diverse student populations.
• Demonstrate strong coaching, facilitation, and active listening skills.
• Communicate effectively in one‑on‑one, small‑group, and large‑group settings.
• Exercise sound judgment, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues, faculty, employers, and campus partners.
• Demonstrate initiative, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning.
• Balance direct student service with leadership responsibilities and competing priorities.
• Foster a supportive, inclusive, and student‑centered environment.

Eligible for comprehensive benefits; salary $27.50 per hour, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Some evening and occasional weekend work may be required to support career fairs, employer events, workshops, and student programming.

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law. In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans.

To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

• Resume
• Cover Letter