SUMMARY
This position supports adult learners, graduate students, and alumni in developing clarity, confidence, and strategy for career advancement and transition. The Career Coach provides high-quality career coaching while building andmaintainingrelationships with employersseekingexperienced, mid-career, and advanced-degree talent.
This role integrates individualized coaching with strategic employer engagement to strengthen career pathways for seasoned professionals and graduate-level talent.
Some evening availability required to accommodate adult learnersand alumni.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Adult, Graduate, and Alumni Career Coaching
- Provide individualized career coaching to graduate students, adult learners, and alumnirelated tojob searching, resumes,interview preparation, continuing education, career transitions,and advancement strategies.
- Administer and interpret career assessments.
- Maintainaccuratecoaching records in Handshake or relevant systems.
- Offer flexible coaching options (evening/virtual) to meet adult learner needs.
- Develop targeted communication strategies to share relevant job opportunities, events, and career resources.
- Stay current on trends in adult career development, graduate employment outcomes, and the evolving workforce.
Employer Relations (Experience Talent Pipeline)
- Develop and manage relationships with employersseekinggraduate-level and experienced professionals.
- Conduct proactive outreach to organizations to expand recruitment opportunities beyond entry-level roles.
- Collaborate with the employer relations team and serve as the primary contact for employers interested inrecruitingadult learners, alumni, and graduate students.
- Maintainemployer engagement data using CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Handshake).
- Collaborate with campus partners (e.g., graduate programs, professional/continuing education) to align employer needs with talent pipelines.
- Represent the Career Center at industry events, networking functions, and employer meetings.
- Support storytelling and promotion of graduate and alumni talent through communications and social media.
Programming, Campus Collaboration & Professional Development
- Design and deliver workshopsand resourcestailored tograduatestudents,adultlearnersandalumnipopulations (e.g., career pivots, leadership advancement, networking strategies)
- Build andmaintainrelationships with faculty members in assigned academic departments.
- Partner with faculty and program directors to embed career content into graduate curriculum.
- Support Career Center events, including career fairs, networking events, and employer information sessions.
- Serve as a liaison for campus offices serving specific populations.
- Engage in ongoing training related to career coaching, employer relations, and labor market insights.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
None
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor's Degreerequired;Master'sdegree preferred(higher education, counseling, business, or related field).
- Minimumof 3-5 years of relevantexperiencein career coaching, workforce development, talent acquisition;or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience workingwithadult learners, graduate students, alumni populations preferred.
- Demonstrated understanding ofmid-career hiring practices and workforce trends.
SKILLS and COMPETENCIES
- Strong coaching andadvisingskills, particularly for career transition and advancement.
- Ability to build and sustain employer partnerships and networks.
- Comfort working with individuals at different career stages, including experienced professionals.
- Strongwritten and verbalcommunication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to work independently in a part-time, flexible schedule environment.
- Familiarity with career management systems (e.g., Handshake) and CRM tools preferred.
FAITH and EDUCATIONAL COMMITMENT
1. Commitment to the educational mission of Calvin as a Christian liberal arts University affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church.
2. A commitment to the Christian faith and to the integration of faith, learning, and student development.
DIVERSITY COMMITMENT
Demonstrated awareness and commitment to effectively establishing relationships and positive communication across multiple dimensions of diversity including, but not limited to, race, gender, physical limitations, class, or religious perspectives.