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 and maintaining relationships with employers seeking experienced, 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 learners and 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 alumni related to job searching, resumes, interview preparation, continuing education, career transitions, and advancement strategies.
- Administer and interpret career assessments.
- Maintain accurate coaching 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 employers seeking graduate-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 in recruiting adult learners, alumni, and graduate students.
- Maintain employer 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 workshops and resources tailored to graduate students, adult learners and alumni populations (e.g., career pivots, leadership advancement, networking strategies)
- Build and maintain relationships 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 Degree required; Master’s degree preferred (higher education, counseling, business, or related field).
- Minimum of 3-5 years of relevant experience in career coaching, workforce development, talent acquisition; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience working with adult learners, graduate students, alumni populations preferred.
- Demonstrated understanding of mid-career hiring practices and workforce trends.
SKILLS And COMPETENCIES
- Strong coaching and advising skills, 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.
- Strong written and verbal communication, 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
- Commitment to the educational mission of Calvin as a Christian liberal arts University affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church.
- 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.
