Professional Development Director Jobs in Connecticut

5151 Park Ave, Fairfield, CT 06825, USA

As one of the nation’s largest Catholic universities and among the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S . , Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. Nearly 10,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Performing Arts; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; School of Computer Science & Engineering and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic universities as it was established to be led by the laity. This contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts and, at the same time, cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in itsBest 391 Colleges: 2026 Edition andBest Business Schools: 2025 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio; a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a completed application and résumé through the University's online application system. Applications submitted outside of the official Careers at SHU website will not be considered. Applicants should not apply through third-party or external job sites, as such postings may be fraudulent or may misrepresent opportunities that are no longer available at the University. A cover letter or statement of interest is preferred for all staff positions.

Sacred Heart University complies with all federal and state employment laws and regulations. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this position.

Oversee all career development functions for the College of Arts & Sciences.Oversee student programming, event planning, and internal marketing related to internship and employment planning for the college. Collaborate with other directors to manage external relations, employer development, and on-campus recruiting for the office. Provide career planning and job search counseling to all students and alumni in assigned majors.

• Provide comprehensive career coaching to CAS students in skills such as self-exploration, branding, networking, resumes, cover letter creation, LinkedIn, interview preparation, career selection, internship and full-time employment and job offer negotiations.
• Maintain consistent communication with employer partners and proactively identify internship and full-time employment opportunities.
• Source and identify prospective employer partners and manage relationship development.
• Proactively outreach to faculty and key administrators to increase collaboration with faculty in assigned College/majors and to support the career development needs of their students.
• Identify and secure employer partners for participation in on-campus and events.
• Oversee the marketing of CAS services to employers, students and the University community.
• Plan, implement and oversee office events and student programs including career fairs, etiquette dinners, employer information sessions, career panels, and on-campus interviews.
• Assist with the gathering of internship and outcomes data for CAS and for internal and external publications.
• Develop and maintain an external presence with local employer partners.
• Administer workshops, seminars and class presentations related to student and faculty needs.
• Utilize Career Management Platform software to facilitate career development activities and communications.
• Support Associate Directors and other Directors in execution of signature office programs/events.
• Contribute to management of the departmental web site as needed.
• Liaise with Alumni and leverage relationships related to existing students career planning and placement.
• Attend University-wide functions or events, at the discretion of the Executive Director of Career Development.
• Assist with departmental Strategic Planning and other collaboration with Senior Director and CAS Dean.
• Complete special projects as requested.
• Participate and be visible in the University community, supporting the activities and achievements of students and alumni.
• Other duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree in related field preferred
• 3-5 years of experience in higher education in the career development function. Prefer candidates with experience providing job search counseling to undergraduate students.
• Proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications and the Internet. Willingness and ability to learn new software including the office’s career management system.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Comfort speaking to groups
• Energetic and able to think ‘out of the box’
• Interest in working directly with students in a student services capacity
• Strong knowledge of and interest in the field of career development and job market trends

Some evening and weekend hours are required. Travel may be required for events and professional development opportunities

This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.

Sacred Heart University is a space that respects and embraces differences, recognizes the unique contributions that individuals can make, and creates a community that maximizes the potential of all faculty and staff. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the wider world in which we live.