Director of Student Professional Development at InsideHigherEd

Job Title: Director of Student Professional Development
Location: UNG-Dahlonega, GA
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 292188
About Us

Located in the fastest-growing region of the state, the University of North Georgia is a multi-campus university with an enrollment of nearly 20,000 students, making it one of the largest institutions in the University System of Georgia. UNG is focused on a mission of educational excellence, leadership development and community engagement opportunities that develop students into leaders for a diverse and global society. Through a variety of educational pathways that provide access and range from certificates and associate degrees to a professional doctoral program, UNG is responsive to regional education and economic development needs. Federally designated as a senior military college, one of the university's signature leadership programs is its 800-member Corps of Cadets on UNG's Dahlonega Campus.

Job Summary

The Director of Student Professional Development in the Mike Cottrell College of Business provides strategic leadership to enhance student success through innovative co-curricular, extracurricular, and professional development programs. Working at the intersection of multiple university divisions, including Study Abroad, Undergraduate Research, Career Services, and other high-impact practices, the Director facilitates partnerships that connect college-specific endeavors with broader university goals. Further, this role collaborates with deans, faculty, staff, and students to set a college-wide vision and implement high-impact learning activities that prepare students for academic and career success, ensuring alignment with the institution's mission and goals.

The University of North Georgia will not be sponsoring any new H-1B visas until further notice

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, vision, and oversight for the Professional Roadmap to Ongoing Success (PROS) program, including supervision of program staff and coordination with the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs to support a cohesive, college-wide student success strategy.
• Partner with the dean, associate deans, department chairs, and university units to develop, promote, and support high-impact learning experiences such as study abroad, undergraduate research, service learning, and other student engagement opportunities.
• Plan, coordinate, and support college events related to student professional development, including the Business Student Organization Fair, Cottrell Speaker Series, employer days, career fairs, and similar initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of Employer Engagement and Associate Director of Data and Experiential Learning to establish and track key performance metrics for engagement and professional development initiatives; compile and present findings in an annual report to the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs.
• Advise students on PROS program requirements and provide individualized feedback on resumes, job search strategies, and overall career readiness.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and support graduate assistants, student workers, and peer advisors involved in the student professional development program; conduct regular individual and team meetings to ensure effective communication and performance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of best practices for student engagement and professional development; Knowledge of labor market needs, preferably in the North Georgia region and state of Georgia overall
• Knowledge of best practices for co-op and internship programs
• Knowledge of high impact learning practices
• Skill at communicating effectively in writing and verbally with a business audience and with students
• Skill at identifying and creatively resolving problems
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Skill at organizing and executing events
• Ability to set a vision for a program and execute on that vision
• Ability to design and implement complex programs
• Ability to supervise and motivate staff
• Ability to identify and assess program outcomes and communicate results accurately and clearly
• Ability to work with a diverse student, employer, and faculty population

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree preferred; preferably in business, career counseling, or higher education.
• At least five years of experience in career development, or five years of experience in recruitment or other talent engagement activity.

Required Documents to Attach

• Resume, Cover Letter, and Transcripts
• Contact information for three professional references

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Institutional Values

The University of North Georgia, a regional multi-campus institution and premier senior military college, provides a culture of academic excellence in a student-focused environment that includes quality education, service, research, and creativity. This is accomplished through broad access to comprehensive academic and co-curricular programs that develop students into leaders for a diverse and global society. The University of North Georgia is a University System of Georgia leadership institution and is The Military College of Georgia. More details on the UNG Mission, Values, Vision, and Culture can be found at https://ung.edu/about/mission-vision-values.php

Conditions of Employment

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of North Georgia, as determined by University of North Georgia in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of North Georgia, a unit of the University System of Georgia, is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sex or national origin, age, disability, religion, genetics or veteran status. Georgia is an open records state. Also, UNG is a federal contractor and desires priority referrals of protected veterans.

Other Information

This is a supervisory position.
This position does not have any financial responsibilities.
This position will be required to drive.
This role is considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position may travel 1% - 24% of the time
This position does not require security clearance.

Background Check

• Position of Trust + Education