Johns Hopkins University
Senior Director, Doctoral & Postdoctoral Life Design
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21276
At Johns Hopkins University, we are driven by an ambitious goal: to empower our doctoral and postdoctoral scholars to navigate their careers with purpose and confidence. The Doctoral Life Design Studio embodies this vision as a dynamic, future-focused hub where scholars can explore diverse career possibilities, forge lasting connections, and utilize innovative tools to thrive in academic and non-academic arenas.
Life Design at Hopkins goes beyond traditional career development; it is a transformative process that nurtures curiosity, fosters growth, and opens doors to new opportunities. The Department of PHutures is seeking a
Senior Director, Doctoral & Postdoctoral Life Design. As the Senior Director, you will play a pivotal role in realizing this vision, ensuring that the Studio serves not only as a resource hub but also as a catalyst for meaningful personal and professional development. Your leadership will cultivate an environment that empowers scholars to actively design their futures with intention and impact. In this role, reporting to the Assistant Vice Provost for Integrative Learning and Life Design, you will lead a dedicated team committed to transforming the career trajectories of all our doctoral and postdoctoral scholars. This position requires a blend of strategic vision and operational excellence to ensure that our Life Design offerings consistently meet and exceed the evolving needs of the academic community. You will collaborate closely with university leadership, faculty, staff, and alumni to design and implement innovative programs, digital platforms, and impactful events that equip scholars with the clarity and confidence to navigate their professional futures. Your oversight will encompass a comprehensive portfolio of services aligned with the university's mission to prepare scholars for careers that create lasting, real-world impact both within and beyond academia. Specific Duties & Responsibilities Leadership & Team Mentorship Partner closely with the Assistant Vice Provost (AVP) to shape and execute the strategic vision for career education and Life Design initiatives. Collaborate with deans, faculty, and university leadership across JHU, particularly within the Schools of Medicine, Public Health, Nursing, Engineering, and Arts & Sciences, to seamlessly integrate Life Design principles into academic programs and institutional planning. Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team of Life Design professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. Provide personalized coaching and support to team members, facilitating their professional growth and leadership development. Set clear, ambitious goals for the team, implement measurable performance metrics, and conduct regular progress assessments to drive accountability and excellence. Drive operational efficiency by aligning team efforts with institutional objectives and implementing strategies to optimize processes and enhance productivity. Ensure consistency in leadership practices and service delivery across all areas of responsibility. Represent Johns Hopkins University on internal and external committees, and at local, regional, and national conferences, workshops, and thought leadership forums, enhancing the institution's reputation as a pioneer in PhD and postdoctoral career education. Program Oversight & Innovation Spearhead the design, implementation, and continuous refinement of cutting-edge career programs, workshops, and curricula tailored to the diverse needs of doctoral and postdoctoral scholars. Lead a comprehensive strategy for Doctoral and Postdoctoral Life Design programs, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and scholar needs. Direct the evolution and expansion of existing career curriculums, maintaining compliance with grant requirements and PhD program objectives. Integrate modules across all programs that enhance scholars' essential skills and prepare them for diverse career paths. Ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are woven into all program designs to foster a truly inclusive environment ensuring that scholars from all backgrounds feel seen, heard, and valued. Oversee, enhance, and expand signature programs, ensuring continuous innovation and alignment with institutional priorities. Develop new, forward-thinking programs that address emerging needs in the job market and scholarly community. Collaborate with faculty and academic leadership to integrate career education into the curriculum. Stay abreast of emerging trends in career development and the job market, incorporating this knowledge into program design and delivery. Implement effective project management practices to ensure timely execution, meet deadlines, and optimize resource allocation across all initiatives. Strategic Engagement & Relationship Building Lead and manage the Career Champion Initiative, guiding the team to effectively implement and optimize the program, and enhancing relationships with diverse stakeholders across the university. Foster consistent, meaningful, and proactive interactions with faculty and the vast alumni community to harness their collective wisdom and provide invaluable mentorship opportunities for students and postdocs. Engage with thought leaders, innovators, and key stakeholders to position JHU as a leader in PhD and postdoctoral life design. Data Management & Strategic Insights Develop and implement a comprehensive data management and assessment strategy for the Doctoral Life Design Studio, ensuring accurate tracking of program participation, scholar engagement, and career outcomes. Utilize data-driven insights to continuously evaluate, refine, and enhance career programs, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of doctoral and postdoctoral scholars while aligning with institutional goals. Establish and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), leveraging data-driven insights to inform decision-making and ensure strategic alignment. Provide regular, actionable reports to AVP, highlighting program impact, trends, and areas for growth, ensuring data transparency and accountability. Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Demonstrated ability to lead and manage organizational change initiatives. Expertise in utilizing Learning Management Systems (LMS) and emerging technologies to enhance learning outcomes and accessibility. Strong analytical skills to evaluate complex situations and translate insights into actionable strategies. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence senior leadership, faculty, and external partners. Demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of program development and delivery. The Ideal Candidate Profile Our ideal candidate is a visionary leader who thrives on transforming challenges into opportunities for meaningful change. The ideal candidate embodies a blend of innovation, adaptability, and strategic thinking required to lead our Doctoral Life Design Studio into the future. Minimum Qualifications Master's Degree required in a related field. Three years of related work experience. Serving diverse populations of doctoral or postdoctoral trainees. Work that demonstrates an understanding of nationally recognized practices for university career and life design. Work that demonstrates success in developing institutionally effective and strategic partnerships. Work that has demonstrated leadership skills. Work that requires knowledge of highly selective college or R1 university settings. Preferred Qualifications PhD or equivalent terminal Degree. Five to ten years of senior leadership experience in career services or professional development within higher education. Classified Title: Director Professional & Career Development Job Posting Title (Working Title): Senior Director, Doctoral & Postdoctoral Life Design Role/Level/Range: ACRP/04/MG Starting Salary Range: $87,400 - $152,900 Annually (Commensurate with experience) Employee group: Full Time Schedule: M-F 8:30am-5pm Exempt Status: Exempt Location: Hybrid/Homewood Campus Department name: PHutures Personnel area: University Student Services
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Senior Director, Doctoral & Postdoctoral Life Design. As the Senior Director, you will play a pivotal role in realizing this vision, ensuring that the Studio serves not only as a resource hub but also as a catalyst for meaningful personal and professional development. Your leadership will cultivate an environment that empowers scholars to actively design their futures with intention and impact. In this role, reporting to the Assistant Vice Provost for Integrative Learning and Life Design, you will lead a dedicated team committed to transforming the career trajectories of all our doctoral and postdoctoral scholars. This position requires a blend of strategic vision and operational excellence to ensure that our Life Design offerings consistently meet and exceed the evolving needs of the academic community. You will collaborate closely with university leadership, faculty, staff, and alumni to design and implement innovative programs, digital platforms, and impactful events that equip scholars with the clarity and confidence to navigate their professional futures. Your oversight will encompass a comprehensive portfolio of services aligned with the university's mission to prepare scholars for careers that create lasting, real-world impact both within and beyond academia. Specific Duties & Responsibilities Leadership & Team Mentorship Partner closely with the Assistant Vice Provost (AVP) to shape and execute the strategic vision for career education and Life Design initiatives. Collaborate with deans, faculty, and university leadership across JHU, particularly within the Schools of Medicine, Public Health, Nursing, Engineering, and Arts & Sciences, to seamlessly integrate Life Design principles into academic programs and institutional planning. Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team of Life Design professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. Provide personalized coaching and support to team members, facilitating their professional growth and leadership development. Set clear, ambitious goals for the team, implement measurable performance metrics, and conduct regular progress assessments to drive accountability and excellence. Drive operational efficiency by aligning team efforts with institutional objectives and implementing strategies to optimize processes and enhance productivity. Ensure consistency in leadership practices and service delivery across all areas of responsibility. Represent Johns Hopkins University on internal and external committees, and at local, regional, and national conferences, workshops, and thought leadership forums, enhancing the institution's reputation as a pioneer in PhD and postdoctoral career education. Program Oversight & Innovation Spearhead the design, implementation, and continuous refinement of cutting-edge career programs, workshops, and curricula tailored to the diverse needs of doctoral and postdoctoral scholars. Lead a comprehensive strategy for Doctoral and Postdoctoral Life Design programs, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and scholar needs. Direct the evolution and expansion of existing career curriculums, maintaining compliance with grant requirements and PhD program objectives. Integrate modules across all programs that enhance scholars' essential skills and prepare them for diverse career paths. Ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are woven into all program designs to foster a truly inclusive environment ensuring that scholars from all backgrounds feel seen, heard, and valued. Oversee, enhance, and expand signature programs, ensuring continuous innovation and alignment with institutional priorities. Develop new, forward-thinking programs that address emerging needs in the job market and scholarly community. Collaborate with faculty and academic leadership to integrate career education into the curriculum. Stay abreast of emerging trends in career development and the job market, incorporating this knowledge into program design and delivery. Implement effective project management practices to ensure timely execution, meet deadlines, and optimize resource allocation across all initiatives. Strategic Engagement & Relationship Building Lead and manage the Career Champion Initiative, guiding the team to effectively implement and optimize the program, and enhancing relationships with diverse stakeholders across the university. Foster consistent, meaningful, and proactive interactions with faculty and the vast alumni community to harness their collective wisdom and provide invaluable mentorship opportunities for students and postdocs. Engage with thought leaders, innovators, and key stakeholders to position JHU as a leader in PhD and postdoctoral life design. Data Management & Strategic Insights Develop and implement a comprehensive data management and assessment strategy for the Doctoral Life Design Studio, ensuring accurate tracking of program participation, scholar engagement, and career outcomes. Utilize data-driven insights to continuously evaluate, refine, and enhance career programs, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of doctoral and postdoctoral scholars while aligning with institutional goals. Establish and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), leveraging data-driven insights to inform decision-making and ensure strategic alignment. Provide regular, actionable reports to AVP, highlighting program impact, trends, and areas for growth, ensuring data transparency and accountability. Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Demonstrated ability to lead and manage organizational change initiatives. Expertise in utilizing Learning Management Systems (LMS) and emerging technologies to enhance learning outcomes and accessibility. Strong analytical skills to evaluate complex situations and translate insights into actionable strategies. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence senior leadership, faculty, and external partners. Demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of program development and delivery. The Ideal Candidate Profile Our ideal candidate is a visionary leader who thrives on transforming challenges into opportunities for meaningful change. The ideal candidate embodies a blend of innovation, adaptability, and strategic thinking required to lead our Doctoral Life Design Studio into the future. Minimum Qualifications Master's Degree required in a related field. Three years of related work experience. Serving diverse populations of doctoral or postdoctoral trainees. Work that demonstrates an understanding of nationally recognized practices for university career and life design. Work that demonstrates success in developing institutionally effective and strategic partnerships. Work that has demonstrated leadership skills. Work that requires knowledge of highly selective college or R1 university settings. Preferred Qualifications PhD or equivalent terminal Degree. Five to ten years of senior leadership experience in career services or professional development within higher education. Classified Title: Director Professional & Career Development Job Posting Title (Working Title): Senior Director, Doctoral & Postdoctoral Life Design Role/Level/Range: ACRP/04/MG Starting Salary Range: $87,400 - $152,900 Annually (Commensurate with experience) Employee group: Full Time Schedule: M-F 8:30am-5pm Exempt Status: Exempt Location: Hybrid/Homewood Campus Department name: PHutures Personnel area: University Student Services
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