Internship Design Thinking Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Director of Career Services amp; Alumni Relations

Howell, Michigan

Full-Time

POSITION SUMMARY

Cleary University is seeking a strategic and student-centered Director of Career Services amp; Alumni Relations to lead career development, employer engagement, alumni relations, and career programming. This role will empower students to design meaningful and fulfilling careers utilizing Stanford's Designing Your Life (DYL) principles, career coaching, internship programs, employer partnerships, and alumni networking opportunities.

The Director will oversee career readiness programming — including one-on-one coaching, professional networking, employer engagement, and internship programs — to ensure Cleary graduates are well-prepared for today's dynamic job market. This position also develops career-focused alumni engagement initiatives that connect alumni with students, strengthen employer pipelines, and foster lifelong career support.

This is an innovative, relationship-driven leadership role with a passion for preparing students for career success. DYL methodology experience is a plus; Cleary is willing to provide training for the right candidate.

Reports to: President amp; CEO

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Career Development amp; Life Design Coaching

• Develop and lead a comprehensive career services strategy incorporating Stanford's Designing Your Life (DYL) framework
• Provide one-on-one career coaching and group workshops on resume writing, interview techniques, job search strategies, and networking
• Guide students through DYL-inspired exercises such as prototyping career ideas, building personal career narratives, and intentional career exploration
• Partner with academic leadership and faculty to integrate career development and design thinking into coursework and advising

Internships

• Expand and manage Cleary's internship and co-op programs
• Develop structured internship pathways aligned with Cleary's academic programs
• Foster partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, and government organizations to create internship and job placement opportunities
• Establish industry-specific internship pipelines supporting programs in Public Safety, Business, Healthcare, and IT

Employer Engagement

• Cultivate relationships with local, regional, and national employers to develop job and internship pipelines
• Organize career fairs, employer panels, and networking events
• Serve as the primary liaison between Cleary University and corporate partners and industry leaders
• Represent Cleary at workforce development councils, economic development events, and business networking organizations

Alumni Relations

• Strengthen relationships with Cleary alumni to expand career mentoring, networking, and hiring pipelines
• Develop and manage an Alumni Career Mentorship Program
• Organize alumni networking events, panel discussions, and job shadowing opportunities
• Leverage alumni connections to expand employer partnerships and career programming fundraising

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in Career Development, Higher Education, Business, Counseling, or a related field
• 3–5 years of experience in career services, workforce development, employer relations, or related fields
• Strong background in career coaching, employer partnerships, and professional development programming
• Excellent relationship-building, communication, and event-planning skills
• Ability to develop strategic partnerships with employers, alumni, and industry leaders

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Familiarity with Stanford's Designing Your Life (DYL) framework (training available)
• Experience integrating design thinking and career exploration into coaching or academic settings
• Knowledge of workforce development trends and labor market demands
• Experience with higher education, career services software, and industry recruitment tools

WHY CLEARY UNIVERSITY?

Cleary University offers a collaborative and innovative work environment where employees are valued for their contributions. We offer competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.

Our core values:

• Students First – We are personally invested in our students' lives, empathizing with their challenges and supporting their journey
• Collaboratively Engaged – We work together to advance the university's mission and student success
• Community-Centered – We actively represent the university in our communities, seeking mutual benefit and well-being
• Always Find a Way – We are resourceful, creative, and persistent, looking for solutions in the face of challenges