Assistant Director of Career Education – Visual & Performing Arts

Seattle University

. Provide one-to-one and group career coaching for students and recent alumni in creative disciplines .

Posted 11/12/2026full-timeSeattle • Washington • United StatesLead💰 $55,473 - $62,400 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in career coaching, program development, and relationship management within the creative and performing arts sectors. Proficient in utilizing data-driven approaches to evaluate program effectiveness and inform strategic initiatives.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Career CoachingProgram DevelopmentRelationship ManagementData AnalysisCreative Industries Knowledge

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Career Education Program DevelopmentStudent MentoringPortfolio DevelopmentAudition PreparationFellowship GuidanceGrant WritingFreelance PlanningExperiential Learning DevelopmentCommunication SkillsOrganizational Skills

Soft Skills

Creative Problem-SolvingCollaborationFeedback ReceptionCommitment to Social JusticePresentation Skills

Tools & Technologies

HandshakeSlateRedhawk HubConnectSUCRM Systems

Industry Keywords

Creative DisciplinesHigher EducationEmployer RelationsAlumni EngagementArts AdministrationRecruitingSocial JusticeEquity and InclusionNetworkingMentorship

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide one-to-one and group career coaching for students and recent alumni in creative disciplines
Support portfolio development, audition preparation, artist statements, personal branding, graduate school preparation, and gig/freelance planning
Guide students pursuing fellowships, residencies, grants, apprenticeships, and freelance or personal business strategies
Research industry trends, hiring needs, and employment practices
Develop, facilitate, and execute career education programs, workshops, classroom presentations, and virtual resources
Develop experiential learning opportunities with faculty, employers, alumni, and community organizations
Monitor student engagement and arts ecosystem trends to inform strategic initiatives
Collect and analyze program outcomes and First Destinations data
Manage employer, industry, and alumni relationships for the creative and performing arts portfolio
Cultivate partnerships with employers, arts organizations, creative agencies, cultural institutions, nonprofits, alumni, and independent professionals
Create panels, workshops, networking, portfolio reviews, mentorship, site visits, classroom engagement, and recruiting activities
Use and troubleshoot career development tools including Handshake, Slate, Redhawk Hub, and ConnectSU
Track external relationships in CRM systems
Support student employee supervision and department-wide events
Participate in staff meetings, training sessions, committees, and task forces
Support Associate Director-led strategy, training, and supervision initiatives
Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

What you’ll need

Demonstrated success in student mentoring, coaching, and/or advising
Experience creating and implementing educational, career-related, or relationship development programs
Commitment to ongoing learning, development, and giving and receiving feedback
Demonstrated commitment to social justice
Ability to creatively problem-solve and collaborate with others
Bachelor's degree plus approximately 2–5 years of progressively responsible experience in career services, higher education, employer relations, alumni engagement, arts administration, recruiting, creative industries, or a related field
Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered
Experience developing and managing relationships with employers, alumni, community organizations, industry professionals, faculty, or other external partners
Experience developing career education, student success, experiential learning, or related programs
Experience coaching, advising, mentoring, or supporting students or early-career professionals
Strong relationship management, communication, program development, presentation, and organizational skills
Ability to independently manage a portfolio of programs, relationships, and priorities
Demonstrated ability to collaborate across organizational and academic boundaries
Ability to use data and assessment to evaluate programs and inform decision-making
Understanding of or demonstrated ability to learn the distinctive employment landscape of creative and performing arts fields
Commitment to Seattle University's Jesuit mission, professional formation, social justice, equity, and inclusion
Preferred: experience working within creative and performing arts industries or supporting students pursuing creative careers
Preferred: experience developing employer or alumni partnerships
Preferred: experience with experiential learning, mentorship, internships, or industry engagement
Preferred: experience collaborating with faculty or integrating career development into academic environments
Preferred: familiarity with career technology, CRM systems, digital career resources, and emerging AI tools for career development

Benefits

Comp & perks

Three medical plans
Dental and vision insurance
Life, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage
Up to a 10% employer contribution toward retirement benefits, including a 5% nonelective contribution and dollar-for-dollar matching up to 5%
100% paid tuition benefits for employees and eligible dependents
Subsidized transportation benefit
Wellness program
Free access to an on-site fitness facility
Campus events
Generous holiday schedule
Paid December holiday break closure
Vacation leave
Paid sick leave
Paid community service leave