Executive Director of Career Development
Career GuideKey Responsibilities
- Set the career development strategy and annual goals
- Lead and develop career coaches and employer relations staff
- Oversee program design for advising, workshops, and career events
- Build employer partnerships to expand internships and hiring pipelines
- Use outcomes data to improve services and report impact
- Manage budgets, staffing plans, and vendor relationships
- Ensure equitable access to career support for all participants
- Collaborate with academic leaders and student support teams
- Create standards for coaching quality and service delivery
- Represent the organization in external forums and with key stakeholders
Top Skills for Success
Strategic Planning
People Leadership
Program Management
Stakeholder Management
Budget Management
Coaching Excellence
Employer Partnership Development
Career Pathway Design
Student Success Strategy
Outcome Measurement
Data Literacy
Change Management
Career Progression
Can Lead To
Senior Executive Director of Career Development
Assistant Vice President for Student Success
Associate Vice President for Career Services
Vice President for Student Affairs
Chief Student Success Officer
Transition Opportunities
Workforce Development Director
Talent Development Director
University Relations Director
Nonprofit Program Director
Education Partnerships Director
Common Skill Gaps
Often Missing Skills
Advanced Data ReportingEmployer Account ManagementFundraisingContract NegotiationScalable Program DesignService OperationsEquity Program DesignStaff Performance Management
Development SuggestionsBuild a simple outcomes dashboard, deepen employer outreach routines, and strengthen financial and operational management through formal training and mentored practice. Prioritize one measurable improvement project each quarter and document results for leadership reporting.
Salary & Demand
Median Salary Range
Entry LevelUSD 95,000 to 125,000
Mid LevelUSD 125,000 to 170,000
Senior LevelUSD 170,000 to 240,000
Growth Trend
Stable to growing demand, driven by increased focus on graduate outcomes, employer partnerships, and measurable career placement results.Companies Hiring
Major Employers
Large public universitiesPrivate universities and collegesCommunity college systemsRegional workforce boardsNational workforce nonprofitsEducation technology companiesBootcamps and training providersHealthcare systems with early career programs
Industry Sectors
Higher EducationNonprofitGovernmentWorkforce DevelopmentEducation TechnologyHealthcareFinancial ServicesTechnology
Recommended Next Steps
1
Audit current career outcomes and set three measurable targets for the next 12 months2
Create a prioritized employer partnership plan with clear outreach goals3
Standardize coaching practices with a shared playbook and quality checks4
Implement a regular reporting cadence for outcomes, employer engagement, and student participation5
Review budget allocation and shift spend toward high impact programs6
Develop a talent plan for staff hiring, training, and performance reviews7
Strengthen collaboration with academic departments to align career support with curriculum8
Seek peer benchmarking through professional associations and local employer councils