Job Details

Executive Director, Career Engagement

Position Number: 6579273
Location: Seattle, WA
Position Type: Career Counseling and Placement

Executive Director, Career Engagement

Seattle University

Executive Director, Career Engagement

FLSA Status: Exempt

Months Per Year: 12

Employment Status: Full-Time

Work Model: On-site

Seattle University will be one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit and Catholic universities in the world, educating with excellence at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. We embrace an intersectional framework for defining diversity in its broadest sense, including differences in gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, generational history, culture, socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, political perspectives, geographic origin and physical ability. Seattle University strives to be a welcome, open and safe campus climate for all who learn, live and work at Seattle University.

Seattle University's Core Competencies

Effective Team Collaboration: Works harmoniously with others towards a common goal, leveraging individual strengths to achieve shared objectives.

Emotionally Intelligent Communication: Engages in a skillful exchange of information, thoughts, and feelings, verbally and non-verbally.

Ethics and Integrity: Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to honesty, professionalism, and alignment with our Jesuit mission in all actions and decisions.

Flexibility and Innovation: Embraces change, approaching problems with curiosity adaptability, and is committed to making a positive impact.

Mindful Inclusion: Fosters mindful inclusion by consciously creating a workplace that celebrates differences, embraces cultural humility, and empowers uniqueness.

Outcomes-Driven Orientation: Sets clear objectives, pursues excellence, and delivers measurable outcomes while upholding Jesuit Catholic values.

Position Description

Seattle University seeks an innovative, forward-thinking Executive Director of Career Services to lead a bold evolution to enhance student career readiness and employability. This newly envisioned role will provide high-level strategic leadership to advance an integrated career ecosystem that ensures students graduate ready to thrive in a rapidly changing workforce.

The Executive Director will strategically build university-wide alignment, cross-sector partnership development, and long-range strategic growth. This leader will work in close partnership with academic Deans, senior university leadership, and global industry partners to elevate Seattle University's visibility with major employers and secure large-scale opportunities for students and alumni.

This new leadership structure enables both operational continuity and strategic transformation-leveraging current team strengths while expanding the university's reach and impact through high-level partnerships and employer engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Vision (40%)

Lead university-wide strategy for career engagement, aligning career readiness efforts with Seattle University's mission and institutional priorities.

Collaborate closely with Deans and senior administrators to build integrated pathways from academics to employment across all schools and colleges.

Shape a long-term vision for transformative career partnerships that serve students, alumni, employers, and the broader community.

Advance career access and outcomes for all students, with a deep commitment to serving diverse and first-generation student populations.

Industry Partnerships & External Relations (30%)

Serve as the university's primary liaison to high-impact employers, national organizations, and industry thought leaders.

Build and steward strategic relationships with large-scale employers and corporate partners to develop pipelines for internships, full-time roles, and long-term collaboration.

Represent Seattle University externally with professionalism and influence, including participating in key national conversations on workforce development and higher education-employer alignment.

Travel as needed to cultivate and sustain employer partnerships.

Cross-Campus Integration & Collaboration (20%)

Partner with the Director of Career Engagement to ensure cohesion between centralized services and college-based career programs.

Collaborate with advancement, admissions, alumni engagement, and academic units to maximize employer involvement across university functions.

Support industry advisory boards and school-based employer councils to align efforts and share best practices.

Promote a campus culture of shared responsibility for career development.

Organizational Development & Stewardship (10%)

Provide strategic oversight and guidance to the Director of Career Engagement, supporting day-to-day operations, professional development, and staff leadership.

Secure external funding and partnership resources to support the expansion of services, tools, and programs.

Monitor trends in workforce development, talent acquisition, and higher education to ensure Seattle University remains responsive and competitive.

Qualifications

Master's degree in business, higher education, public administration, or a related field or at least 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience in career services, corporate talent strategy, higher education, or related fields or equivalent experience.
Proven ability to engage and influence senior executives, both within a university and in the corporate sector
Demonstrated success cultivating strategic partnerships that deliver measurable impact.
Experience advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in career development and employer engagement work.
Excellent communication, relationship-building, and project management skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in corporate or nonprofit talent acquisition, business development, or HR leadership.
A strong national or global employer network.
Familiarity with higher education systems, career services tools (e.g., Handshake), and student development theory.

Application Instructions

Please attach a cover letter with your resume when applying. Job postings are open until filled, unless otherwise specified.

Compensation at a Glance

Salary Range: $135,000 - $145,000

Seattle University has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, and not based on a candidate's gender or any other protected status.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Seattle University provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your total compensation package.

Benefits at a Glance

Consistent with its fundamental Jesuit values, Seattle University offers a wide range of benefits designed to care for the whole person. Choose from three different medical plans, a dental, and vision insurance programs. Protect your income with life, short & long-term disability coverage. Plan for your future with up to a 10% employer contribution for retirement benefits, comprised of a 5% nonelective employer contribution and an additional dollar-for-dollar match of your voluntary contributions up to a maximum of 5%. You may also take advantage of 100% paid tuition benefits for the employee and dependents, a subsidized transportation benefit, a wellness program with free access to an onsite fitness facility, and a wide variety of campus events. Enjoy a generous holiday schedule, including a paid Holiday break closure in December, vacation and paid sick leave, and paid community service leave. For more information explore the Benefits website at: https://www.seattleu.edu/hr/benefits/

To apply, please visit: https://seattleu.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/8/home/requisition/2958?c=seattleu