Associate Director, Career Coaching Co-op

Location: Chicago, IL, United States Department: Academic Support

The Highlights

The Associate Director of Career Coaching - Co-op provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for student professional development initiatives within DePaul University's pioneering business co-op program—the only program of its kind in the Chicagoland area. This role is instrumental in building a comprehensive career coaching ecosystem that prepares business undergraduates for success in paid cooperative education experiences while providing ongoing support throughout their co-op placements.

As a key member of the Career Management Center leadership team, the Associate Director for the Co-op develops and implements innovative coaching strategies, supervises professional staff, and ensures students receive high-quality career development support that positions them as competitive candidates for co-op opportunities and future employment. This position plays a critical role in establishing DePaul as the premier talent pipeline for businesses seeking to develop emerging professionals.

What You'll Do

1. Strategic Leadership & Program Development. Designs and implements a comprehensive career coaching framework that supports students from pre-co-op preparation through post-co-op reflection and career planning. Develops goals, key performance indicators, and assessment metrics for career coaching services aligned with institutional objectives. Leads the creation of scalable professional development programming including workshops, seminars, career assessments, and industry-specific preparation sessions. Collaborates with academic departments to integrate career readiness competencies into business curriculum for initial focus areas (accounting and finance). Serves as a strategic thought partner to the Director of the Career Management Center on co-op program expansion and continuous improvement initiatives - Identifies emerging trends in business education, co-op pedagogy, and employer expectations to inform program innovation.

2. Provide high-impact individual career coaching to business undergraduates preparing for and participating in co-op experiences. Conducts comprehensive career assessments, resume and cover letter reviews, mock interviews, and professional development planning sessions. Advises students on co-op search strategies, employer research, networking techniques, and professional communication. Supports students during on-site co-op placements through virtual check-ins, site visits, problem-solving consultations, and performance coaching. Facilitates reflection activities that help students learning outcomes, transferable skills, and career insights gained from co-op experiences. Maintains an active advising caseload and serves as an escalation point for complex student situations.

3. Supervision & Team Development. Provides mentorship, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities for Assistant Director. Establishes clear expectations, workflows, and quality standards for career coaching services.

4. Employer & Stakeholder Collaboration. Collaborates with other across the university (faculty, academic advisors, student affairs, others) to create a seamless support network for co-op students. Participates in employer site visits to observe student performance and strengthen university-employer partnerships. Gathers feedback from employers regarding student preparedness and use insights to refine coaching strategies. Represent the Career Management Center at various at university committees, industry events, and professional associations.

5. Data Management, Assessment & Reporting. Tracks student engagement with career coaching services and analyzes utilization patterns. Collects and report on student outcomes including co-op placement rates, employer satisfaction, and student learning gains. Uses data to identify gaps in service delivery and implement evidence-based improvements. Contributes to annual reports, accreditation documentation, and grant applications as needed. Maintains accurate records in career services platforms and student information systems.

6. Directly supervises the Assistant Director of Career Coaching - Co-op. One-on-one meetings, performance evaluations, and goal-setting session. Fosters a collaborative, student-centered team culture focused on continuous improvement and innovation, coordinate workload distribution and ensure adequate coverage for student advising.

What You'll Need

• Bachelor's degree minimum. Master's degree preferred: Higher Education, Counseling, Business Administration, Student Affairs, Career Development or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in career services, career coaching, or student development in higher education. At least 3 years of experience in a supervisory or leadership capacity.
• Demonstrated experience with experiential education, cooperative education, or internship programs preferred.
• Experience working with business students and understanding of business career pathways strongly preferred.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Certification in career counseling or coaching (e.g., GCDF, BCC, CCC)
• Experience launching or scaling new programs in higher education
• Knowledge of Chicago business community and regional employer landscape
• Experience with assessment and program evaluation methodologies
• Deep knowledge of career development theory, coaching methodologies, and best practices in experiential education
• Strong understanding of business industries, career pathways, and employer expectations in accounting, finance, and related fields.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to build rapport with diverse student populations.
• Proven ability to design, implement, and assess career development programs and services.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills with ability to balance operational and strategic priorities.
• Supervisor