Director, Engineering Career Assistance Center at Cockrell School of Engineering

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Job Details:

As a top-10 engineering school with the No. 1 program in Texas, the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) has been a global leader in technology innovation and engineering education for over a century. With 11 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs, over 20 research centers and a faculty community that boasts one of the highest number of National Academy of Engineering members among U.S. universities, Texas Engineering has launched some of the nation's most accomplished leaders and pioneered world-changing solutions in virtually every industry, from space exploration to energy to health care. Situated in the heart of Austin - named "America's Coolest City" by Expedia and "The Best Place to Live in the U.S." by U.S. News and World Report - the Cockrell School embodies the city's innovative spirit. Major companies with Austin campuses, such as Dell, Apple, IBM, Samsung, Google and many others, continue to recruit Cockrell School students at a remarkable rate, launching thousands of successful careers and developing Texas Engineers into industry leaders.

UT Austin provides outstanding employee benefits and total rewards packages that include:

• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)

• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options

• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays

• Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with 8.25% employer matching funds

• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)

• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses

• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning, plus professional conference opportunities

• Tuition assistance

• Expansive employee discount program, including athletic tickets

• Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with a staff ID card

• Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin Cap Metro buses with a staff ID card

The Director, Engineering Career Assistance Center (ECAC) provides strategic leadership, innovation, and direction for career services and the Cooperative Education (Co-op) Program within the Cockrell School of Engineering. This position oversees comprehensive career development programs, employer relations, and experiential learning initiatives designed to equip students with the skills, experiences, and connections necessary for success in a rapidly evolving global workforce. The Director is responsible for leading a high-performing team, ensuring delivery of student-centered, and industry-aligned services that reflect cutting-edge practices in higher education career development and employer engagement.

Student Career Development & Employment Readiness Advising

o Provide individual and group advising on career exploration, internships, co-ops, job searches, and graduate school planning, while guiding students in developing career readiness competencies, professional branding, and job search strategies tailored to the engineering industry. Stay informed on emerging workforce trends and technologies that shape the future of engineering careers to ensure students are prepared to thrive in a dynamic, evolving professional landscape.

Direct and Manage the Career Center and Co-op Program.

o Plan, coordinate, and evaluate services, resources, and events that connect students with employers and experiential learning opportunities. Ensure all programs align with and adhere to university, state, and national standards for career services. Utilize data analytics and assessment tools to inform strategic decisions, measure program effectiveness, and continuously enhance the quality and impact of career and co-op initiatives.

Career Services Innovation and Forefront

o Lead the implementation of best practices in career education, integrating AI-driven career tools, skills-based hiring trends, and competency-based learning into the student experience. Continuously benchmark ECAC's programs against peer institutions to ensure continued excellence, innovation, and relevance. Actively engage in professional networks and organizations to share insights, exchange ideas, and adopt emerging practices in career development for STEM fields.

Staff Administration and Oversight

o Recruit, mentor, and supervise a team of professional and student staff dedicated to delivering exceptional career services. Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement that encourages creativity and excellence. Provide ongoing professional development opportunities to ensure staff remain current on emerging best practices, technologies, and trends in career advising and employer engagement.

Outreach, Workshops, and First-Year Interest Groups (FIGs)

o Develop and deliver innovative programming that engages students at every stage of their career journey, from exploration to employment. Collaborate with campus partners ensuring that professional development is an essential part of the student experience. Leverage technology and virtual engagement platforms to expand access, enhance participation, and meet the needs of all students.

Representative for Cockrell School and the University

o Serve as a key ambassador for the Cockrell School's career initiatives representing the school with professionalism and strategic vision. Build and strengthen partnerships with employers, alumni, and industry leaders to expand recruitment pipelines, enhance experiential learning opportunities, and elevate the school's reputation as a source of exceptional engineering talent.

Enter responsibilities followed by the estimated percentage of time each responsibility represents of the overall job.

• Master's degree in higher education, counseling, business or related field.

• Five years of progressively responsible experience in career services, student success, or a related area.

• Experience managing professional staff.

• Experience managing student programs.

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.

• Proven project management skills.

• Demonstrated problem solving skills.

• Ability to establish strong rapport with students, faculty and staff.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

• Seven or more years of relevant experience.

• Experience working in a large academic school or college.

• Experience working with engineering or STEM students.

• Demonstrated success in implementing innovative or data-informed career programs.

• Knowledge of employer trends, technology platforms, and assessment tools in higher education career services.

• $90,000+ depending on qualifications

• May work around standard office conditions

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

• Work outside of normal business hours may be required on an occasional basis.

• Work is performed in a shared office environment under dynamic circumstances and competing deadlines.

• Standard work schedule is Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

• Periodic work outside of normal business hours, to include evenings and weekends.

• May be required on a periodic basis to work special events to include evenings and weekends.

• Resume/CV

• Letter of interest

• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume in the first step of the online job application process. Then, any additional Required Materials will be uploaded in the My Experience section; you can multi-select the additional files or click the Upload button for each file. Before submitting your online job application, ensure thatALLRequired Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find Jobs. Before you apply though, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the lefthand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile. This information will be pulled into your application. The application is one page and you will need to click the Upload button multiple times in order to attach your Resume, References and any additional Required Materials noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer,complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.