Director of the Bracken Center for Academic & Career Engagement
Montana State University
Position Details Position Information Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 25139 For questions regarding this position, please contact: Brenda Truman-Christoffel
Assistant Dean(406) 994-4840
bstruman@montana.edu Classification Title Managing Director Working Title Director of the Bracken Center for Academic & Career Engagement Brief Position Overview The Director provides leadership to the Bracken Center, managing and growing the College’s communication, internship/career mentoring, job placement, and student professional development services. This person works closely with students, faculty, staff, the Jabs leadership team, and the University’s Career, Internship & Student Employment Services office, and reports to the Jabs Assistant Dean. Position Number 4C5266 Department Jabs Office of the Dean Division College of Business Appointment Type Professional Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date FLSA Exempt Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary $65,000 - $70,000 commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications. Contract Type LOA If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open Position Details General Statement The Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship (Jabs) places a strong emphasis on developing students’ professional and communication skills as part of its curriculum. A key resource in achieving this is the Gary K. Bracken Center for Excellence in Undergraduate Business Education, which provides dedicated services to support these essential areas of student growth.
The Bracken Center is the College’s one-stop shop for students seeking resources related to internships, post-graduation job opportunities, career mentoring, professional development, and communications coaching.
The Director provides leadership to the Bracken Center, managing and growing the College’s communication, internship/career mentoring, job placement, and student professional development services. This person works closely with students, faculty, staff, the Jabs leadership team, and the University’s Career, Internship & Student Employment Services office, and reports to the Jabs Assistant Dean. Duties and Responsibilities Leadership, Program Development & Implementation: Directing the Jabs Bracken Center, the college’s communication and professionalism coaching clinic, which includes managing a team of approximately 4 part-time coaches (equivalent to 2.0 FTE). Responsibilities include assisting with hiring and independently overseeing all aspects of onboarding, training, and scheduling. Directing the College’s internship program, serving as the instructor of record for Jabs students earning internship credit. This role includes collaborating with students to identify suitable internship placements, tracking their progress, providing timely feedback, guiding reflective learning, and assigning final grades. Managing the College Ambassador Program, including recruiting, training, and supervising student ambassadors. Responsibilities include developing program objectives, coordinating ambassador-led events and outreach activities, and serving as a mentor to ensure ambassadors effectively represent the college in engagements with prospective students, alumni, and industry partners. Collaborating with colleagues across the College to grow and improve student retention and engagement programing through the development and execution of events, programming and initiatives.
Employer Engagement: Initiating, developing and managing strategic partnerships with local, regional, and international employers and industry partners, alumni, and MSU units to secure high-quality internships and facilitate job placement opportunities for graduates. This includes promoting job and internship opportunities to students by developing and implementing strategies to advertise through various channels, including campus platforms, email, and recruiting events to ensure students are aware of relevant openings that align with their career goals. Developing, executing, and assessing employer recruiting and professional development events/programming for business students, while simultaneously working in collaborative partnership with campus partners to promote similar University events and programming.
Student Coaching: Overseeing and contributing to the Bracken Center’s efforts to provide individualized coaching to students on strategies for enhancing career readiness, finding internships and job opportunities, including resume development, interview preparation, networking techniques, and leveraging industry connections. This role involves guiding students through the internship and post-graduation job search process, helping them identify career goals, and offering personalized advice to enhance their employability and professional success.
Database Management & Program Assessment: Collecting, managing, and analyzing data on internship placements, job outcomes, student employment, coaching appointment usage and results, and recruiting event attendance. Preparing and presenting comprehensive reports and presentations on these metrics to college leadership, advisory boards, and other stakeholders. Using this data to assess program effectiveness and implement data-driven improvements to enhance student success and career outcomes.
Budget Oversight: Overseeing and managing the Bracken Center budget, including tracking expenditures, forecasting financial needs, and ensuring compliance with college and university policies. This role involves making strategic financial decisions to support program operations and optimize resource allocation. Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills Bachelor’s degree in Business Education, Counseling, Communications or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience. Minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in career services, higher education administration, or a related field. Demonstrated proficiency with Excel and/or other database tools. Demonstrated experience in student services, career placement or related area. Demonstrated experience managing budgets. Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills Master’s degree in Business, Education, Counseling, Communications, or related field. Experience in business or management. Event planning and/or project management experience. Experience working with web-based scheduling software. The Successful Candidate Will Be self-driven, showing initiative, and employing good judgement and problem-solving skills to improve existing programs and develop new programming. Provide leadership to colleagues, staff, faculty, students and the community by modeling professionalism and ethical behavior. Be responsive, coordinating and prioritizing many tasks at various stages of completion to meet time-sensitive deadlines. Possess excellent interpersonal skills and abilities to build and maintain positive working relationships within the college, University, and community. Utilize a growth mindset when facing personal and professional development opportunities. Have ability to positively respond to difficult situations with comprehensive and creative outcomes. Consistently demonstrate professional written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrate initiative and ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented college culture, assisting with special projects, events, etc. Position Special Requirements/Additional Information This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Physical Demands The Director must be available to work occasional evenings. Occasional overnight travel to professional development conferences is also expected.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. This position has supervisory duties? Yes Posting Detail Information Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search. Position End Date (if temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications will be: Screening of applications will begin on November 1, 2024; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established. Special Instructions EEO Statement Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile. Applicant Documents Required Documents Resume Cover Letter Optional Documents Supplemental Questions
Assistant Dean(406) 994-4840
bstruman@montana.edu Classification Title Managing Director Working Title Director of the Bracken Center for Academic & Career Engagement Brief Position Overview The Director provides leadership to the Bracken Center, managing and growing the College’s communication, internship/career mentoring, job placement, and student professional development services. This person works closely with students, faculty, staff, the Jabs leadership team, and the University’s Career, Internship & Student Employment Services office, and reports to the Jabs Assistant Dean. Position Number 4C5266 Department Jabs Office of the Dean Division College of Business Appointment Type Professional Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date FLSA Exempt Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary $65,000 - $70,000 commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications. Contract Type LOA If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open Position Details General Statement The Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship (Jabs) places a strong emphasis on developing students’ professional and communication skills as part of its curriculum. A key resource in achieving this is the Gary K. Bracken Center for Excellence in Undergraduate Business Education, which provides dedicated services to support these essential areas of student growth.
The Bracken Center is the College’s one-stop shop for students seeking resources related to internships, post-graduation job opportunities, career mentoring, professional development, and communications coaching.
The Director provides leadership to the Bracken Center, managing and growing the College’s communication, internship/career mentoring, job placement, and student professional development services. This person works closely with students, faculty, staff, the Jabs leadership team, and the University’s Career, Internship & Student Employment Services office, and reports to the Jabs Assistant Dean. Duties and Responsibilities Leadership, Program Development & Implementation: Directing the Jabs Bracken Center, the college’s communication and professionalism coaching clinic, which includes managing a team of approximately 4 part-time coaches (equivalent to 2.0 FTE). Responsibilities include assisting with hiring and independently overseeing all aspects of onboarding, training, and scheduling. Directing the College’s internship program, serving as the instructor of record for Jabs students earning internship credit. This role includes collaborating with students to identify suitable internship placements, tracking their progress, providing timely feedback, guiding reflective learning, and assigning final grades. Managing the College Ambassador Program, including recruiting, training, and supervising student ambassadors. Responsibilities include developing program objectives, coordinating ambassador-led events and outreach activities, and serving as a mentor to ensure ambassadors effectively represent the college in engagements with prospective students, alumni, and industry partners. Collaborating with colleagues across the College to grow and improve student retention and engagement programing through the development and execution of events, programming and initiatives.
Employer Engagement: Initiating, developing and managing strategic partnerships with local, regional, and international employers and industry partners, alumni, and MSU units to secure high-quality internships and facilitate job placement opportunities for graduates. This includes promoting job and internship opportunities to students by developing and implementing strategies to advertise through various channels, including campus platforms, email, and recruiting events to ensure students are aware of relevant openings that align with their career goals. Developing, executing, and assessing employer recruiting and professional development events/programming for business students, while simultaneously working in collaborative partnership with campus partners to promote similar University events and programming.
Student Coaching: Overseeing and contributing to the Bracken Center’s efforts to provide individualized coaching to students on strategies for enhancing career readiness, finding internships and job opportunities, including resume development, interview preparation, networking techniques, and leveraging industry connections. This role involves guiding students through the internship and post-graduation job search process, helping them identify career goals, and offering personalized advice to enhance their employability and professional success.
Database Management & Program Assessment: Collecting, managing, and analyzing data on internship placements, job outcomes, student employment, coaching appointment usage and results, and recruiting event attendance. Preparing and presenting comprehensive reports and presentations on these metrics to college leadership, advisory boards, and other stakeholders. Using this data to assess program effectiveness and implement data-driven improvements to enhance student success and career outcomes.
Budget Oversight: Overseeing and managing the Bracken Center budget, including tracking expenditures, forecasting financial needs, and ensuring compliance with college and university policies. This role involves making strategic financial decisions to support program operations and optimize resource allocation. Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills Bachelor’s degree in Business Education, Counseling, Communications or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience. Minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in career services, higher education administration, or a related field. Demonstrated proficiency with Excel and/or other database tools. Demonstrated experience in student services, career placement or related area. Demonstrated experience managing budgets. Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills Master’s degree in Business, Education, Counseling, Communications, or related field. Experience in business or management. Event planning and/or project management experience. Experience working with web-based scheduling software. The Successful Candidate Will Be self-driven, showing initiative, and employing good judgement and problem-solving skills to improve existing programs and develop new programming. Provide leadership to colleagues, staff, faculty, students and the community by modeling professionalism and ethical behavior. Be responsive, coordinating and prioritizing many tasks at various stages of completion to meet time-sensitive deadlines. Possess excellent interpersonal skills and abilities to build and maintain positive working relationships within the college, University, and community. Utilize a growth mindset when facing personal and professional development opportunities. Have ability to positively respond to difficult situations with comprehensive and creative outcomes. Consistently demonstrate professional written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrate initiative and ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented college culture, assisting with special projects, events, etc. Position Special Requirements/Additional Information This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Physical Demands The Director must be available to work occasional evenings. Occasional overnight travel to professional development conferences is also expected.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. This position has supervisory duties? Yes Posting Detail Information Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search. Position End Date (if temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications will be: Screening of applications will begin on November 1, 2024; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established. Special Instructions EEO Statement Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile. Applicant Documents Required Documents Resume Cover Letter Optional Documents Supplemental Questions
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