Assistant Director, Career Coaching Co-op

Location: Chicago, IL, United States Department: Student Services

The Highlights

The Assistant Director of Career Coaching - Co-op delivers comprehensive career development services to business undergraduates participating in DePaul University's innovative co-op program. This hands-on role focuses on preparing students for professional success through individual coaching, skill-building workshops, and ongoing support during co-op placements.

As a member of the Career Management Center team, the Assistant Director works closely with students to develop professional competencies, navigate the co-op search process, and maximize learning from experiential education opportunities. This position is essential to establishing DePaul's reputation as a premier talent pipeline for businesses seeking to develop emerging professionals and ensuring student success in cooperative education experiences.

What You'll Do

Individual Career Coaching & Advising

Provides one-on-one career coaching to business undergraduates focusing on accounting and finance students initially.

Conducts comprehensive resume and cover letter reviews.

Facilitates mock interviews and helps students develop strong interviewing skills.

Administers and interprets career assessments to help students identify strengths, interests, and career goals.

Guides students through co-op search strategies including employer research, networking, and application processes.

Regular check-ins (virtual and in-person), problem-solving, and performance coaching.

Conducts site visits to observe students in co-op settings to strengthen relationships with partners.

Maintains an active caseload of approximately 75-100 students (adjusting as program scales.)

Program Delivery & Workshop Facilitation

Designs and deliver engaging workshops on topics including resume writing, interviewing, networking, professional etiquette, LinkedIn optimization, and career exploration.

Facilitate group coaching sessions and cohort-based programming for students at various stages of the co-op journey.

Creates and presents industry-specific career preparation content for accounting, finance, and other business disciplines.

Coordinates and facilitate employer information sessions, career panels, and networking events.

Develops educational resources, handouts, and on line content.

Employer Collaboration & Relationship Building

Participates in employer site visits to observe student performance and gather feedback on student preparedness.

Serves as a liaison between students and employers to address questions, concerns, or issues during co-op placements.

Collects employer feedback on student performance and use insights to improve coaching strategies.

Represent the Career Management Center at employer events and industry networking opportunities.

Data Tracking, Assessment & Administrative Support

Maintains accurate records of student interactions, coaching sessions, and outcomes in career services platforms.

Tracks student progress through co-op preparation milestones and placement outcomes.

Collects and analyze data on student engagement, satisfaction, and learning outcomes

What You'll Need

EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree with a focus in Higher Education, Counseling, Business Administration, Student Affairs, Career Development, or related field required.

EXPERIENCE

Minimum 2 years of experience in career services, career coaching, academic advising, or student development in higher education.

Experience with experiential education, cooperative education, internships, or employer relations preferred.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Certification in career counseling or coaching (e.g., GCDF, CCC).

Experience with co-op or internship programs.

Knowledge of Chicago business community and employer landscape.

Experience with assessment tools and program evaluation.

Knowledge of career development theory, coaching techniques, and best practices in student support.

Understands the business industries and career pathways in accounting, finance, and related fields.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Strong presentation and facilitation skills for delivering workshops and group programming.

Ability to provide constructive feedback and motivate students to achieve their professional goals.

Proficient with career services platforms (Handshake preferred), Microsoft Office Suite, and virtual meeting tools.

Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Flexible and adaptable in a startup program environment.

Able to work occasional evenings and weekends for student programming.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Travel to employer sites for student co-op visits.

Evening and weekend hours occasionally required for programming and events.

Dynamic, fast-paced environment as program launches and grows.

ABOUT DEPAUL UNIVERSITY DRIEHAUS COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

DePaul University's Driehaus College of Business is launching the only business school cooperative education program in the Chicagoland area, creating a unique pipeline for businesses to develop talent while it grows. This innovative program will serve as a model for experiential education in business, preparing students for career success while meeting the workforce development needs of Chicago's dynamic business community.

The anticipated hiring range for this position is: $50,174 to $75,000.

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Perks

Working for a stable and well-known University.

Top choice medical, dental, and vision benefits.

Retirement plan matching contribution of 8%.

Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Generous paid time off, sick time, holidays, floating holidays, and more!

Full-Time Benefits

For consideration, please include a resume and cov