At Johns Hopkins University, we are driven by a transformative goal: to empower our doctoral and postdoctoral scholars to navigate their careers with purpose, confidence, and clarity. The Doctoral Life Design Studio embodies this vision as a forward-thinking hub where students can explore a wide range of career possibilities, build meaningful connections, and utilize innovative tools to thrive in both academic and non-academic environments.

Life Design at Hopkins transcends traditional career development—it is a holistic process that nurtures curiosity, fosters growth, and opens doors to new opportunities. We are seeking an Assistant Director, Doctoral Life Design for the Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) who will be instrumental in shaping and delivering this vision. Your role will be to ensure that the Life Design Studio serves as a catalyst for the personal and professional development of all doctoral students and postdocs at WSE, equipping them with the skills and networks necessary to intentionally design their futures and achieve success.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Doctoral Life Design, you will collaborate closely with university leadership, faculty, staff, and external partners to develop and implement innovative programs, digital tools, and impactful events to promote Life Design among doctoral students at WSE. You will lead efforts to create a comprehensive portfolio of services that align with the university’s mission of preparing scholars for impactful careers. Through your leadership, you will ensure that our offerings not only meet but exceed the evolving needs of our diverse community, fostering an environment where students are empowered to take control of their professional futures.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Design and implement a comprehensive career development curriculum that integrates with the academic and professional training of doctoral students, offering flexible learning opportunities to explore a broad range of career options.
• Develop workshops and courses on essential technical and core competencies such as team management, engagement of partners, change management, and effective communication across diverse audiences.
• Provide coaching and customized guidance to support engineering students and postdocs in exploring diverse career opportunities, including roles in government, the private sector, funding agencies, and academia. Assist them in building professional networks, tailoring their applications, and pursuing specialized career pathways aligned with their professional goals.
• Champion inclusivity by designing programs that address the unique needs of international students, non-U.S. citizens, students (for example, first-generation students) with fewer social resources at the graduate-school level, and historically excluded groups, fostering confidence and key professional skills.
• Lead and mentor student interns within the Life Design Studio, fostering a collaborative team environment and ensuring operational excellence.
• Collaborate with faculty, academic departments, alumni relations, the WSE Graduate Education and Lifelong Learning, and external organizations to ensure career programs meet the evolving needs of students.
• Build and maintain relationships with engineering employers, research institutions, and governmental agencies to expose engineering students and postdocs to diverse career paths and networking opportunities.
• Organize career panels, alumni showcase, and industry events to increase awareness of various career options, both academic and non-academic.
• Develop assessment frameworks and use data-driven insights to measure program effectiveness, set measurable objectives, and ensure continuous improvement.
• Gather feedback from students, faculty, alumni, and partners to keep programs relevant and impactful, while adapting offerings to align with emerging trends and needs in career development.
• Design digital resources, including online guides and self-paced modules, and leverage strategic communication channels to increase accessibility and engagement.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion across all programming, ensuring equitable access to career development resources and opportunities.

Special Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Strategic and Visionary Thinker: A big-picture strategist with the ability to foresee long-term career development needs and trends in engineering. This candidate can integrate career services into the academic framework while adapting programs to meet evolving student needs and industry demands.
• Project Management and Event Planning Expertise: The ideal candidate is highly organized, with a proven ability to plan and execute large-scale events and initiatives. From career panels and workshops to networking events, they manage multiple projects seamlessly, ensuring each is impactful and aligns with student success goals.
• Marketing and Outreach Skills: They possess strong marketing skills, able to create compelling campaigns and communications that promote career services, workshops, and events. They effectively use newsletters, social media, and digital platforms to increase student engagement and participation.
• Engaging Educator and Facilitator: A dynamic and engaging teacher, this individual knows how to connect with students in workshops, coaching sessions, and classroom settings. They can simplify complex topics and make them accessible, ensuring that students are engaged and learning practical skills they can apply to their careers.
• Empathetic Career Coach: The ideal candidate is an empathetic and approachable coach who listens to students’ needs and tailors' guidance accordingly. They are passionate about helping students realize their potential and navigate challenges with compassion and understanding.
• Adaptable and Quick Learner: Thriving in dynamic and evolving environments, this individual is a quick learner who readily adapts to new trends, technologies, and demands. They are flexible and willing to adjust programs to ensure relevance in a rapidly changing career landscape.
• High Emotional Intelligence (EQ): With excellent interpersonal skills and high emotional intelligence, the candidate fosters a positive and inclusive environment.
• Professionalism and High Standards: The candidate maintains a high level of professionalism and demonstrates a commitment to excellence in all aspects of their work. They set high standards for themselves and others, ensuring that programs and services meet the needs of both students and the institution.
• Event and Program Management Expertise: The ideal candidate is experienced in managing events and complex projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and meet established goals. Their attention to detail ensures that events are well-coordinated and provide meaningful experiences for students.
• Exceptional Communication and Writing Skills: This individual is an excellent communicator, both in writing and public speaking, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse and international audiences. They are able to articulate ideas clearly and persuasively, whether delivering a presentation, writing reports, or engaging with students one-on-one.
• Champion of Inclusion, Diversity, Anti-Racism and Equity (IDARE): The candidate is committed to creating programs that are accessible, inclusive, and cater to the needs of all students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. They actively promote IDARE in all aspects of their work, ensuring equitable access to career opportunities and resources.
• Technologically Savvy: Leveraging digital tools and platforms, the candidate enhances program delivery and student engagement. They are comfortable using Learning Management Systems (LMS), career development software, and other technologies to expand access to career services and provide virtual resources.

The ideal candidate for this role is an innovative and forward-thinking professional, passionate about empowering doctoral students to navigate their careers with confidence and clarity. This individual combines strategic insight, creative program development, and exceptional interpersonal skills to provide students with the tools and support they need to succeed in diverse career paths.

• Master's Degree.
  

• Five years of experience within a higher education, government, non-profit, or corporate setting.
  

• Additional related education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education, as permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• PhD in Engineering, STEM or related field.
• Proven success in career coaching, with tailored guidance for students, particularly international scholars, across a range of career paths.
• Familiarity with Learning Management Systems (LMS) and using digital tools to enhance student engagement and deliver virtual career services.
• Knowledge of engineering career pathways and emerging trends in both academic and non-academic sectors, with a focus on opportunities for international scholars.
• High emotional intelligence (EQ) and experience creating a supportive, student-centered environment, especially for international students.
• Experience working with alumni networks to establish mentorship and networking opportunities, particularly for international students.
• Adaptability and quick learning, with the ability to stay current on industry trends and thrive in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to design and implement programs tailored to the needs of a diverse, global student population, including international scholars
• Proven experience in project management and event coordination, with a successful track record of delivering impactful workshops, events, or initiatives.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build collaborative relationships with faculty, students, and external partners.

Classified Title: Sr. IL & LD Officer 
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Assistant Director, Doctoral Life Design WSE   
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/04/ME  
Starting Salary Range: $64,600 - $113,300 Annually ($80,000 targeted; Commensurate with experience) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: M-F; 8 am - 5:00 pm 
Exempt Status: Exempt 
Location: Hybrid/Homewood Campus 
Department name: ​​​​​​​PHutures  
Personnel area: University Student Services