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Assistant Director of Career Services

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Raleigh, NC, United States


Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit The mission of the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media is to prepare students to ignite the public conversation in our state, the nation and the world, and to understand the role of communication in fostering democracy. Our faculty, staff, students and administrators work collaboratively to build and foster an environment that is welcoming, inclusive and accessible to people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and beliefs.

The school offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, and administers a variety of professional development and distance‑learning programs. Enrollment includes about 1,000 undergraduates and 130 graduate students in addition to professional development and distance education students. Our faculty members are international thought leaders whose scholarly and creative activities are visible and respected in the public realm.

Position Summary This position may be eligible for hybrid and/or remote work schedule. Employees are generally required to reside in North Carolina, within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

The Assistant Director of Career Services plays a critical role in advancing career readiness and post‑graduate outcomes for the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media. The role exercises substantial autonomy in delivering high‑impact, one‑on‑one career advising to undergraduate and professional M.A. students, including guidance on resume and cover letter development, professional branding and LinkedIn optimization, and internship and entry‑level job search strategy. Beyond individual advising, the Assistant Director independently designs, implements, and assesses a comprehensive portfolio of student outreach initiatives including workshops, speaker events, and classroom presentations intended to ensure broad awareness of and engagement with career services across academic programs. These efforts require sustained collaboration with faculty, staff, alumni, and campus partners and directly support the School’s student success and retention goals. The Assistant Director role is instrumental in activating and leveraging the Hussman alumni network to expand access to professional connections and employment opportunities for students. The position also manages several signature experiential and leadership development programs that contribute to the School’s long‑term reputation and student outcomes. The Assistant Director oversees the Hussman School Alumni Association Mentorship Program, assuming full responsibility for mentor recruitment, student selection, matching, and year‑long program administration, and plays a leading role in the strategic growth of the Morton Leadership Program. In addition, the role serves as the primary planner and coordinator for career treks to major media markets, that have included New York City, Washington, DC, Portland, OR and San Francisco/Silicon Valley. The assistant director manages complex logistics and external relationships to deliver high‑impact experiential learning opportunities. A core responsibility of the position is the independent production of the annual First Destination Report, the School’s primary measure of postgraduate career outcomes. The Assistant Director leads the end‑to‑end process for data collection, analysis, and reporting, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and consistency with campus standards. The resulting report serves as a critical strategic resource for school leadership, admissions and advancement efforts, and required data‑sharing with campus partners such as the UNC Career Center and directly informs institutional decision‑making and external messaging regarding student success.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements Relevant post‑Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent educational or instructional activities associated with the delivery and/or management of student support functions, will accept a relevant Bachelor’s degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and at least 1 year of relevant experience in substitution.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Experience working in career services, employer relations, experiential learning, or student success within a college, university, or professional school environment.

Relevant experience in Media, Journalism, Advertising, Public Relations or related fields may be considered.

Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound professional judgment, and manage multiple priorities in a fast paced, student centered environment.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with students, faculty, alumni, employers, and campus partners.

High interest in the media and journalism job/internship landscape.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Demonstrated experience providing one on one advising or coaching to students or early career professionals on career development topics.

Experience designing and delivering group presentations, workshops, or educational programming for student or adult audiences.

Familiarity with career outcomes assessment, or survey based data collection and analysis.

Experience managing or coordinating experiential learning programs, including work with alumni or external partners.

Knowledge of journalism, media, communication, or related professional industries and associated career pathways.

Experience planning or supporting off campus programs or trips, such as site visits or immersion experiences.

Demonstrated ability to collaborate across academic and administrative units and contribute to institution level initiatives related to student outcomes and career readiness.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority in accordance with the Clery Act. This position will be required to report Clery crimes to the Clery Compliance Manager and complete annual training about reporting responsibilities.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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