Associate Director -External Partnerships & Lead Personal and Professional Development Coach; CPPD

Department: Center for Personal and Professional Development

Division: Student Development

Reports to: Vice President and Dean of Student Engagement

Direct Reports:

Employment Type: Full Time

New/Existing: Existing

The Associate Director of External Partnerships & Lead Personal and Professional Development Coach combines leadership in external partnerships with hands-on coaching responsibilities to support the personal and professional growth of students. The Associate Director will use insights from student coaching to inform partnership development (e.g., aligning the right partners with student needs), bring partnership opportunities into coaching practice (e.g., connecting clients with external resources or networks), and will serve as a bridge between internal coaching teams and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment between programs and external collaborations.
The Wittenberg Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) is designed to help students grow both personally and professionally. "Rooted and Open" calls ELCA universities, rooted in Lutheran theology, to help students explore larger questions about their purpose and calling in life. The center offers structured and informal opportunities for self-reflection, discernment, conversations about vocation and calling, goal setting, and skill-building.

This will include individual and group coaching sessions, workshops, guest speakers, identity-building activities, and professional experiential learning opportunities.

Responsible for building and maintaining relationships with external organizations, employers, graduate school admissions teams, and stakeholders including, but not limited to:

• Identifying and securing partnerships that align with the Center’s mission and goals.
• Negotiating and managing agreements, contracts, and collaboration frameworks.
• Representing the Center in meetings, events, and outreach programs.
• Leveraging partnerships to expand resources, programs, and opportunities for students.
• Tracking and reporting on the impact of these partnerships.

Guiding students toward self-awareness, self-discovery, self-improvement, and exposure to opportunities aiding in the discernment of calling and vocation. Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting 1:1 coaching sessions to help students identify strengths, set goals, and develop action plans.
• Facilitating group workshops, seminars, and leadership programs to build skills in communication, collaboration, self-reflection, and career navigation.
• Monitoring individual student progress, providing feedback, and adjusting strategies to meet evolving needs.
• Acting as a mentor and accountability partner, encouraging students to step outside their comfort zones and take actionable steps toward interests, goals, and plans.
• Maintaining confidentiality and professionalism in all coaching interactions.
• Demonstrate support for community and belonging, as well as participate in maintaining a respectful, positive work environment (required)*
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned, such as special projects, programs, and developmental activities (required)*

• Education:
  
  Bachelor's degree in counseling, business or related area of study.
• Experience:
  
  3-5 years of relevant work experience in career advising, career counseling, life coaching, leadership coaching, mentoring or related field
• Technical
  
  Skills:
  
  Microsoft Office
• Must be able to demonstrate the ability to take initiative.
• Demonstrated experience building relationships with key constituents.
• D…