Director of Career Services

American Institute, founded in 1924 as the Hartford Secretarial School, provides hands-on training for careers in the world of business, legal, allied healthcare, diagnostic medical sonography, and information technology. Recognizing our single, well-defined teaching mission: reflecting job market demands with flexibility in identifying and incorporating new programs to give our graduates an edge in today’s competitive job market.

• Medical (including prescription), Dental, Vision (Company subsidized)
• FSA/HSA (Depending on Medical Plan chosen)
• $50,000 Life Insurance (Company paid)
• Additional Voluntary Life Insurance (Team Member paid)
• Employee Assistance Program – EAP (Company paid)
• Long Term Disability (Company paid)
• Short Term Disability (Team Member paid)
• Supplemental Insurance such as Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital (Team Member Paid)
• Paid Time Off – 15 days accrued in year 1, 9 holidays, and 1 day of Volunteering Time Off
• 401k (eligible upon completion of 90 days of employment and must be at least 21 years of age)
• Pet Insurance
• Identity Theft Protection

Purpose of the Position:

The Director of Career Services dedicated to empowering students and alumni to achieve their professional goals and aspirations. This role is pivotal in bridging the gap between education and employment by providing comprehensive career development services, fostering industry partnerships, and enhancing employability skills. The Director will lead initiatives to support students in their career exploration, job search strategies, and professional growth, ensuring they are well-prepared to thrive in a dynamic and evolving job market. Through innovative programming, personalized guidance, and a commitment to equity and inclusion, the Director of Career Services will contribute to the holistic success of our diverse student body and the broader community.

What you’ll do:

• Placement Objectives and Compliance: Ensure placement objectives are consistently met to secure campus compliance with American Institute, State, and accreditation benchmarks relating to placement.
• Reporting and Goal Management: Update and review weekly placement reports. Ensure personal weekly placement goals are met as well as department goals.
• Employer Engagement and Job Development: Develop job orders from employer contacts, send graduates' resumes, assist in scheduling interviews, and diligently follow up with employers and graduates. Network with the employers’ community for the purposes of placement of graduates. Organize job fairs on-campus, attend outside job fairs, invite employers to speak in classrooms, and help arrange on-campus interviews. Weekly field visits to prospective/current employers and externship sites to build and maintain professional relationships.
• Student and Graduate Support: Meet with students one-on-one to determine job interests and complete required externship and graduation paperwork. Provide graduates with assistance in applying for required licensure and certifications. Attend and present at student orientations; be available for student inquiries regarding Career Services during prospective student tours.
• Data Management and Compliance: Maintain data integrity and analyze all audit data for compliance. Utilize the database to document student and graduate records. Ensure graduate employment verification and waiver/exemption information is documented and verified. Update and maintain any reports necessary for workforce students and graduates. Maintain student files, cohort placement binders, and seminar binders.
• Professional Development and Workshops: Teach professional development workshops, including but not limited to resume writing, interviewing skills, and career readiness.
• Feedback and Satisfaction Analysis: Distribute, collect, and analyze graduate and employer satisfaction surveys.
• Event and Meeting Coordination: Organize and execute annual Advisory Board Meetings. Attend Career Services conventions, webinars, and meetings. Mandatory attendance at school graduation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Career Level Expectations:

• Seasoned individual contributor. 
• Works under limited supervision. 
• May be responsible for leading daily operations of other team members. 
• Explains practices, procedures, and policies to others. 
• Problems may require analysis to understand and resolve. 
• Desire for growth and professional development. 

Required Skills/Experience:

• Associate’s degree or equivalent experience. 
• Experience in sales, staffing or long-line sales.
• Skills – results driven, communication/interpersonal skills, relationship building/rapport, and time management. 
• Ability to professionally communicate fluently in verbal and written English.
• Ability to support of a diverse and inclusive work environment.
• Computer literacy/basic computer skills to effectively navigate and utilize the technology required for the role.

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience in student advising or related role. 
• Experience in employment staffing, career services, out-placement services, or sales experience in the corporate sector and/or business development. 
• Other skills or abilities – leadership, influence, comfortability communicating with all levels of an organization, punctual, disciplined, complex problem-solving, attention to detail, and motivation. 
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other business tools such as Microsoft Teams.

Compliance: 

• Demonstrate knowledge of, and carefully follows all applicable federal and state laws and rules, compliance requirements and regulations including those prescribed by the U.S. Department of Education, accrediting agencies, state regulations and, and internal policies and procedures.  
• Effectively communicate compliance requirements to other staff as appropriate and quickly escalate any compliance concerns to the Compliance department. 

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• This is a full-time hybrid position with occasional travel to community locations.
• Home office set up, quiet place to work, ability to be on camera, ability to be on camera, and ability to hard wire into high-speed internet connection. 
• May require setup of computer equipment; accommodation consideration available upon request. 
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends, as needed. 

OUR CORE VALUES

Caring
We believe every student has the potential to be successful in a rewarding career, with the right support. We partner with you from your first day of classes through your search for a job after graduation.

Respect
We view everyone who enters American Institute as a productive adult who deserves respect and the opportunity to excel. Our staff and instructors are dedicated to helping you achieve your goals and realize your potential.

Service
American Institute is committed to the professional and academic success of each student by actively seeking opportunities to provide service both within the campus as well as within the surrounding community.

Integrity
We look forward, not backward. No matter where you come from or what obstacles you’ve faced in the past, we believe your future is yours to create.

Accountability
When you commit to us, we commit to you. When you walk into American Institute, we focus on helping you continue to move forward, so you can create the life you want to live.

Innovation
We know that the sooner you have the knowledge and skills you need to begin your career, the sooner you can become successful. American Institute offers focused, practical training that gets you out of the classroom and on your way faster than you thought possible.