Director of Career Education

Career Guide

A Director of Career Education leads the design and delivery of career learning programs that help students or learners explore careers, build job search skills, and transition into work or further study. This role typically manages a team, partners with employers and academic leaders, and uses outcomes data to improve program impact.

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Key Responsibilities

Set the strategy for career education programs and learning outcomes
Design workshops, courses, and online content for career readiness
Lead and coach career educators, counselors, and program staff
Build partnerships with employers to connect learning to real hiring needs
Collaborate with faculty and departments to embed career learning in curricula
Create standards and training for consistent advising and instruction quality
Track program outcomes such as participation, internships, and job placement
Manage budgets, vendors, and program timelines
Ensure services are accessible and supportive for diverse learner needs
Communicate program value to campus leaders and external stakeholders

Top Skills for Success

Program Strategy

Curriculum Design

Instructional Facilitation

Team Leadership

Coaching

Stakeholder Management

Employer Partnership Development

Student Success Knowledge

Outcomes Measurement

Budget Management

Change Management

Inclusive Program Design

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Senior Director of Career Services

Assistant Vice President for Student Success

Director of Experiential Learning

Director of Employer Relations

Director of Student Success Programs

Transition Opportunities

Head of Learning and Development Program Director Workforce Development Director Customer Education Director

Education Partnerships Lead

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Outcomes ReportingData VisualizationEmployer Engagement StrategyCurriculum EvaluationBudget ForecastingOperations ManagementStaff Performance Management

Development SuggestionsBuild a simple outcomes dashboard, run a pilot program with clear success metrics, and document the playbook. Seek employer advisory input and translate it into updated lesson plans. Ask to own a budget line item and a staff development plan to strengthen leadership depth.

Market Intelligence Report

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

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Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry LevelNot typical as an entry-level role. Similar manager roles often range from $70,000 to $105,000 in the United States.

Mid LevelCommon ranges are $95,000 to $140,000 in the United States, depending on institution size and scope.

Senior LevelCommon ranges are $130,000 to $190,000 in the United States, higher in large systems and major metro areas.

Growth Trend

Steady demand. Hiring is supported by student outcomes focus, employer pressure for job readiness skills, and growth in online career learning. Demand is strongest at universities, community colleges, and education technology organizations.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

UniversitiesCommunity CollegesBusiness SchoolsBootcampsEducation Technology CompaniesWorkforce Development NonprofitsGovernment Workforce Agencies

Industry Sectors

Higher EducationWorkforce DevelopmentEducation TechnologyNonprofitGovernment

Recommended Next Steps

Audit existing career education content and map it to clear learning outcomes

Create a quarterly outcomes report that connects programs to internships and job results

Establish an employer advisory group to validate skills and hiring trends

Standardize facilitator guides to improve delivery consistency

Launch a scalable online module series for core career skills

Implement staff training on coaching quality and inclusive practices

Define a measurement plan for participation, skill gains, and placement outcomes