Director, Career Development

Black Hills State University seeks a student-centered Director of Career Development to provide strategic leadership for a comprehensive career development program. Reporting to the Vice President for Enrollment Management & Student Affairs, this role leads the development of a forward-thinking career strategy aligned with institutional priorities and workforce needs. The Director will establish local and regional partnerships with employers and economic development organizations to expand internships and career opportunities.

Working with other student success departments, the Director will work to integrate career readiness throughout the student experience. The Director will also oversee career services operations including staff, programming, technology, budget management, and career outcomes assessment to support continuous improvement and institutional effectiveness.

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for a comprehensive, campus-wide career development program aligned with BHSU’s mission and workforce needs.
• Develop and implement a long-term strategic plan, including goals, key performance indicators, and assessment strategies to measure student career outcomes and program effectiveness.
• Oversee the delivery of high-quality career development services, including career coaching, professional skill development, and resume preparation, ensuring consistency across all BHSU locations.
• Lead the development of strategic partnerships with local, regional, and statewide employers and organizations to expand internships, experiential learning, and full-time employment opportunities.
• Lead collaboration with academic departments to integrate career readiness into the curriculum and support the development of experiential learning opportunities aligned with academic programs.
• Provide leadership for the planning and execution of career fairs, employer recruiting events, and networking opportunities in collaboration with campus and system partners.
• Oversee and optimize career services technology platforms (e.g., Handshake) and evaluate emerging tools to enhance service delivery and student engagement.
• Lead data collection, analysis, and reporting of student career outcomes, including administration of the First Destination Survey; utilize findings to inform strategic decision making and institutional reporting.
• Lead collaboration with Institutional Research, Alumni Relations, and other stakeholders to support assessment, accreditation, and external reporting requirements.
• Develop and implement targeted outreach and marketing strategies to increase student engagement and utilization of career services across diverse student populations.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate professional staff (as applicable) and student employees; provide leadership, coaching, and professional development.
• Manage departmental budget, resources, and operations to ensure effective, efficient, and innovative service delivery.
• Represent Career Development on institutional committees and initiatives and contribute to a campus-wide culture of career readiness.

• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, program development, and leadership.
• Proven ability to build and sustain professional relationships with employers and external partners.
• Experience analyzing data and using results to inform decision-making and program improvement.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and lead initiatives in a fast-paced environment.

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Minimum of 1-3 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, workforce development, or a related field.

• Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, business, or a related field.
• Experience in a postsecondary Career Services or Career Development office.

Black Hills State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Black Hills State University and the Board of Regents ensure that all employment practices are free of discrimination.