Associate Vice President for Career Development

Career Guide

An Associate Vice President for Career Development is a senior leader who sets the strategy for student and alumni career services. The role oversees programs, employer partnerships, outcomes reporting, and staff operations to improve career readiness and post graduation results.

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Key Responsibilities

Set the career development strategy and annual priorities
Lead a career services team including hiring, coaching, and performance management
Build employer relationships to expand internships and full time opportunities
Create student career readiness programs and scalable workshops
Partner with academic leaders to embed career learning into the curriculum
Oversee career platforms, event operations, and service delivery
Track and report career outcomes and student engagement metrics
Manage budgets, vendor contracts, and resource planning
Advance equity in access to career support and opportunities
Represent the institution with regional employers and professional associations

Top Skills for Success

Strategic Planning

People Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Executive Communication

Budget Management

Program Management

Change Leadership

Employer Relationship Building

Partnership Development

Career Coaching Knowledge

Student Success Strategy

Career Outcomes Reporting

Data Literacy

Equity Leadership

Vendor Management

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Director of Career Services Director of Employer Relations

Director of Student Success

Assistant Vice President for Career Development

Transition Opportunities

Vice President for Student Affairs

Vice President for Enrollment Management

Vice President for Student Success

Chief Student Experience Officer

Senior Director of Talent Partnerships

Workforce Development Executive

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Advanced Outcomes MeasurementFundraising SupportBoard Level CommunicationCrisis ManagementTechnology RoadmappingLabor Market Analysis

Development SuggestionsBuild a clear outcomes dashboard, practice concise executive updates, partner with advancement teams on donor aligned initiatives, and strengthen labor market insight through employer listening sessions and regional data.

Market Intelligence Report

Associate Vice President for Career Development is part of the Business Development category.Explore our market intelligence report to see how AI and hiring demand are shifting for these roles.

See the market intelligence report

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry Level90,000 to 120,000 USD

Mid Level120,000 to 160,000 USD

Senior Level160,000 to 220,000 USD

Growth Trend

Steady demand, driven by increased focus on graduate outcomes, employer partnerships, and measurable career readiness.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

Research UniversitiesLiberal Arts CollegesCommunity CollegesPublic University SystemsOnline UniversitiesMedical SchoolsBusiness SchoolsEngineering SchoolsWorkforce Development BoardsEducation Nonprofits

Industry Sectors

Higher EducationContinuing EducationWorkforce DevelopmentEducation TechnologyNonprofit Education Services

Recommended Next Steps

Audit current career outcomes reporting and define a small set of standard metrics

Create a one year employer partnership plan with target industries and engagement goals

Review service delivery for equity and accessibility across all student groups

Standardize staff goals and professional development plans

Evaluate career technology tools for usability and data quality

Develop a cross campus career council with academic and student support leaders