Associate Director of Career Accelerators

Position: Associate Director of Career Accelerators
Division: Development and Alumni Relations, University of Georgia
Employment Type: Full Time, Exempt, Benefits Eligible
Salary: $73,341+ commensurate with experience
Location: Athens Area

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Career Education, the Associate Director leads the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Career Accelerator Initiative. They collaborate cross‑functionally with Employer Relations, the Mentor Program, and Academic Integration to embed accelerators within the broader career ecosystem and guide staff in delivering cohort‑based, high‑impact experiences.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent and five years of professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to design and lead high‑impact career programs serving a wide range of student populations.
• Strong understanding of career development theory, student needs across disciplines, and current trends in career education and labor markets.
• Proven ability to develop, implement, and assess large‑scale career initiatives and events.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with students, faculty, employers, and alumni.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Proficiency with career services technologies (e.g., Handshake), data‑informed decision‑making, and digital engagement tools.
• Professional experience in career services or a related field, with expertise in career exploration, coaching, and workforce skill development.
• Experience supervising staff and supporting the delivery of high‑impact career programs.
• Working knowledge of career assessment tools (e.g., MBTI, Strong, CliftonStrengths), including interpretation and application to support student development.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Program Design (35%)

• Lead the vision, structure, and long‑term strategy of the Career Accelerator Initiative.
• Identify target academic programs and student populations using institutional and engagement data.
• Design scalable, cohort‑based models aligned with workforce needs and university priorities.
• Ensure integration with key Career Center initiatives (e.g., Arch Ready, Mentor Program, Career Fairs).
• Partner with the Director of Career Education to align accelerators with the broader career education strategy.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Partnerships (30%)

• Serve as the primary connector across Employer Relations, Mentor Program, and Academic Integration to ensure coordinated program delivery.
• Cultivate employer, alumni, and faculty partnerships to support mentorship, programming, and experiential opportunities.
• Engage Career Center consultants in accelerator programming, including coaching, workshops, and student support.
• Collaborate with campus and advancement partners to support program growth and funding priorities.

Program Performance & Continuous Improvement (20%)

• Define and monitor KPIs related to engagement, skill development, and career outcomes.
• Analyze program data to identify gaps, inform strategy, and improve effectiveness.
• Lead reporting efforts for leadership and stakeholders.
• Continuously refine program design based on outcomes, student feedback, and labor market trends.

Team Leadership, Marketing & Program Oversight (15%)

• Supervise the Assistant Director, providing guidance, support, and regular performance feedback to ensure alignment between strategy and execution.
• Partner with communications staff to develop and implement marketing strategies to drive student and faculty participation.
• Provide guidance on broad‑based coaching approaches within the accelerator model.
• Support a collaborative, high‑performing team culture.
• Provide student career coaching and program delivery as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of management and supervisory practices; skill in leading and motivating teams; ability to manage staff performance and workflow.
• Knowledge of career evaluative tools and frameworks for identifying strengths and preferences; skill in analysis and interpretation; ability to apply findings to support development outcomes.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects, prioritize competing demands, and work effectively with a wide range of populations in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment.
• Technical proficiency with enterprise software systems.

Physical Demands

• Work in a standard office environment.
• Travel in and out of state as necessary.
• Sit and work at a computer workstation for extended periods of time.
• Work using electronic mail, telephone, face‑to‑face discussions, paper form correspondence.
• Communicate effectively in writing, speaking, and listening.
• Organize and establish priorities; remember detail; multi‑task.
• Lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
• Walk, stand, stoop, lift, kneel, climb.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR at

Background Investigation Policy

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of credentials and employment history; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may also be subject to a pre‑employment drug test for positions with high‑risk responsibilities, if applicable.

Visa and Sponsorship

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.