Associate Director of Career Connections Center – Internships & Employer Engagement
Wartburg College
Internship
On-site
Waverly, Iowa, United States
Wartburg College
Title of Position: Associate Director of Career Connections Center – Internships & Employer Engagement
Position Description
Reports To: Associate Dean of Students for Careers & Vocation
Title of Position: Associate Director of Career Connections Center – Internships & Employer Engagement
Position Description
Reports To: Associate Dean of Students for Careers & Vocation
Employment Type: Full-time, 12-month position
Function of Position:
The Associate Director for Internships & Employer Engagement serves as a strategic catalyst within the Career Connections Center (CCC), advancing Wartburg College’s commitment to experiential learning, career readiness, and vocational discovery. This role leads cross-campus efforts to embed internships and field experiences into the academic and co-curricular fabric of the college, while cultivating employer and alumni partnerships that drive student success and institutional innovation. The position plays a vital role in the donor-funded Alumni & Career Connections Initiative and contributes to student development through coaching, mentoring, and high-impact programming that prepares students for lives of purpose and impact.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
Internship Program Development & Oversight
Function of Position:
The Associate Director for Internships & Employer Engagement serves as a strategic catalyst within the Career Connections Center (CCC), advancing Wartburg College’s commitment to experiential learning, career readiness, and vocational discovery. This role leads cross-campus efforts to embed internships and field experiences into the academic and co-curricular fabric of the college, while cultivating employer and alumni partnerships that drive student success and institutional innovation. The position plays a vital role in the donor-funded Alumni & Career Connections Initiative and contributes to student development through coaching, mentoring, and high-impact programming that prepares students for lives of purpose and impact.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
Internship Program Development & Oversight
- Champion a student-centered internship ecosystem by applying continuous improvement to every stage of the experience—from advising to placement.
- Lead the daily operations of the internship program, offering personalized support in résumé development, interview preparation, and career alignment.
- Collaborate with faculty and site supervisors to manage for-credit internships through digital platforms like Handshake, ensuring seamless integration with academic goals.
- Establish inclusive policies that reflect equity, access, and innovation, ensuring all students—regardless of background—can participate in transformative learning experiences.
- Build a dynamic network of internal internships across campus departments, aligning roles with career competencies and institutional workforce needs.
- Leverage data as a storytelling tool: track participation, analyze employer feedback, and generate strategic reports that shape future programming and demonstrate impact.
- Oversee compliance with legal and institutional standards, including affiliation agreements and liability protocols, while streamlining processes for field-based programs like Music Therapy and Social Work.
Employer & Alumni Engagement
- Serve as a connector and co-creator, building mutually beneficial partnerships with employers and alumni that fuel student growth and workforce innovation.
- Conduct strategic outreach in the Cedar Valley and beyond to expand internship pipelines and contribute to regional economic development.
- Collaborate with Alumni Engagement & Parent Programs to activate alumni networks through mentorship, career conversations, and experiential opportunities.
- Integrate digital engagement strategies—including virtual internships and online mentoring experiences (Knight Nation)—to increase flexibility and reach.
- Manage signature events like the 2nd Year Experience, 40 Under 40 Career Conversations, and the Summer Camp & Service Fair to spark meaningful connections between students and professionals.
- Represent Wartburg in regional chambers and committees, positioning the college as a key player in workforce pipeline building and community collaboration.
Career Development & Post-Graduate Preparation
- Deliver personalized career coaching for students, using technology and tailored pathways to support job searches, graduate school planning, and life after Wartburg.
- Integrate career development into academics and vocational exploration, ensuring students connect their studies to real-world outcomes.
- Facilitate on-campus recruitment, career fairs, and employer events that reflect emerging industry trends and student interests.
- Lead classroom sessions on résumé writing, interviewing, networking, and graduate school applications, embedding career readiness into the curriculum.
- Support Admissions by conducting career exploration assessments with prospective students and families, showcasing Wartburg’s commitment to purpose-driven education.
Campus & Community Engagement
- Represent the Career Connections Center with institutional visibility and thought leadership, elevating Wartburg’s role in experiential learning and career innovation.
- Serve on the RICE Day planning committee to ensure internships and creative endeavors are celebrated as core components of student success.
- Foster engagement within an employer-alumni-student ecosystem that drives career readiness and lifelong connections.
- Advocate for experiential learning through storytelling, data, and strategic partnerships that amplify Wartburg’s mission and values.
Supervision & Strategic Leadership
- Co-lead and mentor a team of 8–10 Student Success Coaches, cultivating a culture of coaching, peer mentorship, and student empowerment.
- Design ongoing training that builds leadership capacity, career readiness, and service excellence among student staff.
- Operate with strategic autonomy while collaborating with the Associate Dean of Students for Careers & Vocation to advance institutional goals and shape the future of career development at Wartburg.
Minimum Qualifications:
Required:
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field
- Minimum of four years of relevant experience in career services, experiential learning, human resources, recruiting, sales or employer relations
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills
- Proven ability to build and maintain strategic partnerships with external stakeholders
Preferred:
- Master's degree in related field
- Experience working with college students in internship development or career coaching
- Familiarity with technology, career development platforms (e.g., Handshake) and assessment tools
- Knowledge of graduate school preparation processes and employer recruitment practices
Application Procedure:
Please upload the following by selecting the "Apply for this Position" below:
1) Resume
2) A letter of interest including a statement regarding qualities within the context of the Wartburg College Mission-www.wartburg.edu/why-choose-wartburg/mission/
3) Contact information for three references
See www.wartburg.edu for further information about the college and the city of Waverly.
Screening begins immediately and continues until the position is filled.