An Invitation to Apply Associate Vice President & Executive Director The Wasserman Center for Career Development New York University

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1 THE SEARCH An Invitation to Apply Associate Vice President & Executive Director The Wasserman Center for Career Development New York University New York University (NYU) seeks a senior leader to serve as the next Associate Vice President (AVP) and Executive Director for the Wasserman Center for Career Development. The AVP will drive innovation and provide senior strategic leadership in the design, development, implementation, assessment, and direction of career development related programs and services. The AVP will serve as a key university leader in setting the overall direction for global career services at NYU. NYU is a global research university that has the distinction of being one of the largest private universities in the United States and a pioneer in establishing degree granting campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. Over the span of a generation, NYU has achieved dramatic improvements in academic reputation, the eminence of its faculty, the size and influence of its research portfolio, and the strength of its undergraduate, graduate, and professional education. In 2016, NYU inaugurated a new President, Dr. Andrew Hamilton, previously the vice chancellor of Oxford University, to continue NYU s strong upward trajectory. In accordance with the global and inclusive mission of New York University and the Division of Student Affairs, the AVP will lead and oversee a large team of professionals as well as allocate resources for student/alumni career development and student employment programs. The Wasserman Center for Career Development provides career development services to all students from all NYU schools (except NYU School of Medicine and Stern School of Business Graduate Students) and alumni. The AVP will be charged with developing, expanding, and directing programs and services for career

2 development within the Wasserman Center at its Washington Square and Brooklyn locations, as well as partner on programs designed to facilitate and enhance the student career development experience at NYU s global campuses. The ideal candidate will provide strategic and effective campus leadership on known and emerging issues, as well as development of relationships with internal and external campus partners. The AVP must be flexible, intellectually curious, and possess a strong commitment to customer service. S/he will provide operational leadership and oversight of a customized, highly effective and data-driven career development culture experience that engages students and alumni at all levels. NYU has retained the services of Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in conducting this important search. After consultation with university leadership and drawing heavily on the University s existing materials, the firm has prepared this document to be shared with candidates and sources in the search. This document describes NYU, the challenges and opportunities for the Associate Vice President & Executive Director for the Wasserman Center for Career Development, and the personal and professional characteristics desired in the ideal candidate. NEW YORK UNIVERSITY Founded in 1831, NYU is a globally distinguished research university on a remarkable trajectory. NYU has established itself as a leading institution in the academy, distinctive in its cosmopolitan character, its global outlook, and the boldness of its ambitions. The University has a breadth and depth rivaled by few others. Its 16 schools and colleges in New York City cover the academic gamut from the arts and humanities to the sciences and mathematics, from law, business, and engineering, along with professional studies, to studio and performing arts, education, public policy, individualized education, social work, dentistry, and nursing, in addition to one of New York City s largest and most accomplished medical centers. The University has been a trailblazer in establishing itself as a global network university. NYU was a first mover with the idea of a globally networked university, and the model has proven exceptionally attractive to a wide range of students and to faculty with particular interests. With fully-staffed academic centers in 13 international cities, NYU sends more students abroad than any other American university. NYU s global presence is unparalleled. 2

3 At the heart of the University are its faculty, the full-time members of which number over 4,500, and whose research and teaching have, in numerous fields, placed them at the very forefront of their disciplines; and its more than 50,000 students, roughly half undergraduates and half graduate students, who come from every state in the U.S. and from 133 foreign countries. Today, NYU competes with the world s top universities and leading departments for its faculty, and the University repeatedly appears at the top of the Princeton Review s list of dream schools for undergraduate students. The quality of the student body is outstanding, and quality indicators, such as test scores and student yields, have improved dramatically over the last quarter century. NYU embodies vision in action. It rewards entrepreneurship, inspires philanthropy, and invests in the most productive and path-breaking ideas available in the academy. Its trustees and presidents have led groundbreaking philanthropic efforts, raising hundreds of millions of dollars annually, and billions in campaigns, to nourish the University s vitality. The Wasserman Center for Career Development The Wasserman Center for Career Development is a comprehensive career center that offers students and alumni award-winning services that are essential for competing in today's job market. The Wasserman Center empowers NYU students and alumni to succeed at every stage of their professional development. They create an innovative and supportive environment in which NYU students develop essential skills for a lifetime of rewarding careers. The Wasserman Center is committed to providing the highest quality, personalized career development programs and services that prepare NYU students and alumni to compete successfully in a global economy. As the conversation nationally has turned to justifying the costs of higher education, the Wasserman Center has become a national leader in both the services it provides linking students and employers, as well as the data it collects on student outcomes for the University. It provides career development services to all students from all NYU schools (except Medicine and Stern School of Business Graduate Students) and alumni. The Wasserman Center conducts six to twelve career fairs each year with total attendance of 14,000. Over 20,000 individual consultations are conducted each year. Over 500 career-related seminars and presentations are offered each year, attracting 20,000 students/alumni. Over 35,000 jobs and internships are listed each year. Over 12,000 students filed for Federal Work-Study or other on campus employment positions. The annual budget associated with these programs is approximately $1.5 million. 3

4 The Wasserman Center maintains information on the latest resources, techniques and strategies designed to address a wide variety of career management issues. Their goal is to provide employers with responsive services to meet individual recruiting needs and to make the task of identifying and interviewing qualified candidates simple and easy. In addition to the main office of the Wasserman Center for Career Development, there are two satellite offices that serve school-specific populations. The Wasserman Center at the School of Professional Studies: NYU SPS builds professionals pursuing degrees in global industries ranging from real estate, global affairs, hospitality, public relations/corporate communication, integrated marketing, liberal arts, and much more. This office delivers individualized services and resources to students, alumni, faculty, and employers who focus on internship and professional opportunities in these industries. The Wasserman Center in Brooklyn: To support the academic mission and goals of Tandon School of Engineering, the Wasserman Center Brooklyn Office delivers individualized services and resources to students, alumni, faculty, and employers who focus on internship and employment opportunities in STEM areas. THE POSITION Reporting to and working closely with the Senior Vice President of Student Affairs, the AVP is part of the senior leadership team in the Division of Student Affairs and will be called upon to perform duties as needed in his or her capacity as AVP Student Affairs. The AVP oversees four direct reports, plus dotted line reporting of SPS Career organization leadership, totaling approximately 35 indirect reports (administrators and support staff). The AVP will provide operational leadership and oversight of a customized, highly effective and data-driven career development culture. S/he will be expected to understand national and international trends in the career development field. In particular, the new AVP will provide strategic leadership, guidance, consultation, and advice on known and emerging issues pertinent to the career development of students and alumni. Opportunities and Challenges The key challenges and opportunities for the new AVP include: 4

5 Provide Strategic Leadership and Vision The AVP will provide senior strategic leadership in the design, development, implementation, assessment, and coordination of career development related programs and services for NYU students and alumni. S/he will be expected to identify issues and trends in the national and international job market, developing events and programs in response and helping NYU students find employment after graduation, particularly during economic downturns. By establishing short- and long-term goals for the Wasserman Center, the next AVP will be expected to review, assess, and enhance University-wide career development programs and services in terms of a cost effective/beneficial ratio. This position will allocate resources for student/alumni career development programs and services in accordance with the mission and goals of the Division of Student Affairs and the academic mission of the University. As a trusted senior leader, the AVP will make recommendations to the Vice President regarding image enhancement and marketing opportunities for career development programs, with business plans, analysis, and benchmark studies to support those recommendations. Lead and Manage a High-Performing Organization The next AVP should be a thought leader who spearheads career development activities such as Orientation, Conferences, Employer events, Career Fairs, Career Development Seminars, etc. S/he will provide supervision and direction over the Director of the unit and their handling of its day-to-day operations. The AVP will be expected to oversee the development and implementation of training programs for staff, student volunteers, and leaders. This role will lead the management of Wasserman Center's budget needs and oversee expenditures. S/he will anticipate needs and resolve discrepancies, recommending reallocations and line increases when necessary. Additionally, the AVP will generate funding revenue and gifts where appropriate and as needed. Foster Internal and External Relationships The AVP is viewed as a national leader in the field and is often cited in major national and local media. S/he will need to effectively promote NYU s approach to career development with a wide range of constituencies. S/he should be skilled at articulating 5

6 NYU s distinct philosophy, approach, and outcomes to diverse stakeholders in compelling ways. Internally, the AVP will link and integrate Wasserman Center's career promotion and education programs in Student Affairs with other campus promotion efforts, as well as structure career development programs and services to improve external employer relationships. This position will regularly come into contact with talent acquisition and business leaders, as well as collaborate with university executives and senior administrators, students, and vendors. Counsel and be an Advocate for Students The AVP will be an effective advisor who can help students, both collectively and individually, navigate the many career options available to them. Working with the various administrative offices and academic departments, the next AVP will develop a full and complete picture of the options available to students that can help guide their career development. Students, and all those who advise them, must be able to see how academic studies, internships, summer employment, job shadowing, informational interviews and other activities are important opportunities to explore and better prepare them for the global job market. The next AVP will advocate on behalf of students with various university administrators, faculty and/or employers to resolve problems and improve services. S/he will serve as resource to NYU students for emergency issues, as well as make recommendations and referrals. Qualifications The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate many if not all of the following qualifications and experience: Master's degree in human resources, management or other business field, counseling, psychology, education, or related discipline; Doctorate degree preferred; years of experience in career services, business, counseling, student personnel, human resources or equivalent combination of education and experience; Experience leading and supervising a large team, developing and administering comprehensive programs, conceiving of and facilitating events and training materials, managing professional and support staff and budgets, and interpreting and developing policies; A successful track record in career development, assessment, talent acquisition, university recruiting; 6

7 Expertise in engaging campus and external partners; partnering with internal and external stakeholders; Proven leadership skills and the ability to work collaboratively and productively across the institution; Excellent communication, presentation and writing skills; Ability to deal with a diverse population and at all levels; A strong sense of professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to excellence. TO APPLY New York University has engaged Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist with this search. All inquiries, nominations, and applications should be directed in confidence to the firm as directed below: Sean Farrell, Vice President Carmen Delehanty, Associate Isaacson, Miller New York University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. New York University is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its hiring and promotion process without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth (or related medical condition), sexual orientation, partnership status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital, parental or familial status, caregiver status, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, age, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, unemployment status, or any other legally protected basis. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels. 7