Johns Hopkins University is leading an ambitious transformation in life design, experiential learning, and mentoring, and is seeking an Assistant Director, Doctoral Life Design KSAS. Our mission is to ensure that every student and postdoctoral fellow?regardless of background, academic discipline, or social capital?navigates their academic journey and career path with clarity and purpose.

Reporting to the Director of Doctoral and Postdoctoral Life Design, the Assistant Director will shape and advance professional development initiatives for all scholars at the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS), with a focus on those in the Humanities and Social Sciences. This includes leading innovative career education and training programs and collaborating on key events to foster their career design.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of innovative workshops, courses, digital resources, and coaching initiatives. Focus on empowering all KSAS scholars, particularly those in Humanities and Social Sciences, to explore diverse career paths within and beyond academia, enhancing career awareness, skill-building, and readiness.
• Provide accessible, high-quality digital resources, including online career guides, informational videos, and self-paced modules, to support scholars' independent career exploration and professional development.
• Develop and lead unique signature events and programs that enhance key skills and competencies, while providing strategic networking opportunities for KSAS scholars.
• Collaborate with the team to connect scholars, especially those in Humanities and Social Sciences, with experienced professionals, faculty, and alumni, fostering valuable mentorship opportunities.
• Meet with doctoral students to offer personalized career advice and support, boosting their confidence, clarity, and connections, while also developing scalable programs to reach a broader audience.
• Champion a data-driven approach by utilizing surveys and assessment tools to measure the impact, reach, and effectiveness of career-focused programs. Ensure continuous improvement and alignment with the office's vision and national best practices.
• Construct comprehensive assessment frameworks tailored for career design. Define and set Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) to drive creativity and innovation within the program.
• Integrate emerging trends and best practices in doctoral and postdoctoral career design to ensure scholars are prepared for success in a rapidly changing professional landscape.
• Regularly evaluate the impact, reach, scalability, and outcomes of career design activities. Provide strategic recommendations to staff and leadership, ensuring alignment with national best practices and fostering continuous innovation.
• Foster strong partnerships with key stakeholders across the university, including academic departments, alumni, faculty, and student organizations. Collaborate to expand access to career resources and mentoring opportunities.
• Proactively establishes and strengthens external partnerships with key organizations and groups in the field, significantly enhancing collaborative opportunities and the overall impact of programs.
• Act as a liaison with departments within KSAS, the Dean's office, faculty members, and student organizations, fostering and strengthening collaborative relationships.
• Actively seek and nurture partnerships with renowned industry and research entities.
• Prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in all engagements and initiatives. Advocate for the unique needs and aspirations of KSAS scholars within the broader university community, ensuring every scholar feels seen, heard, and valued.
• Regularly solicit and integrate feedback from scholars, postdocs, faculty, and industry partners to ensure programs remain relevant and timely to the evolving needs of the community.

Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to design and implement creative and impactful programming, including courses, events, and digital content, that resonate with diverse groups, particularly in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
• Experience in developing and applying effective assessment methods and setting strategic priorities that drive continuous improvement.
• Understanding of higher education leadership and administration, including insights into the structure, governance, and decision-making processes at private research institutions.
• Ability to translate the unique experiences of doctoral scholars, especially in the Humanities and Social Sciences into valuable skills and diverse employment opportunities.
• Exceptional skills in delivering engaging presentations, facilitating dynamic workshops, and conveying complex ideas to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in creating and designing compelling digital materials, such as infographics and presentations, to support learning and engagement.
• Openness to or experience in producing engaging educational video materials and social media content.
• Strong ability to analyze information and situations to make informed, independent decisions that drive positive outcomes.
• Exceptional networking skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including scholars, faculty, alumni, and industry professionals.
• Eagerness to learn quickly and continuously improve, staying abreast of emerging trends and best practices in career development.
• Openness to receiving and integrating feedback from leadership, scholars, postdocs, faculty, and industry partners to ensure programs remain relevant and effective.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills across a diverse range of professional experiences.
• Ability to adapt to shifts in priorities and maintain high performance in a dynamic and evolving environment.

The Ideal Candidate Profile

• Our ideal candidate is not deterred by challenges; instead, they see them as opportunities for growth and innovation. They approach problem-solving with creativity and a proactive mindset, always seeking novel solutions to overcome hurdles.
• In our dynamic academic environment, an open mind is essential. Our candidate approaches situations and challenges with receptivity to diverse perspectives. They thrive on learning from others and adapting to new ideas and approaches.
• Feedback is a valuable tool for professional development, and our ideal candidate actively seeks it. They understand that feedback, whether positive or constructive, is the cornerstone of growth. They use feedback to continuously improve their strategies and approaches.
• Building strong connections within the team is a natural talent of our candidate. They foster an environment of trust and mutual respect among team members. They recognize the unique strengths, challenges, and aspirations of each team member and tailor interactions accordingly.
• Leadership is not just about achieving goals; it's about understanding and catering to the emotional and professional needs of the team. Our candidate leads with empathy, recognizing that an emotionally supported team is more productive and innovative.
• Our candidate thrives in a flexible work environment. With our shift to a modern work model, they embrace a digital-first approach and use technology to stay connected and productive.
• Forming meaningful and productive relationships is a core strength of our candidate. They excel in connecting with students, faculty, and external stakeholders, understanding their diverse needs, and expertly catering to them.
• Our candidate is not content with the status quo. They proactively seek innovative solutions and opportunities that align with our vision, especially in scaling resources and services to meet the evolving needs of our students and postdocs.
• Deeply data-driven, our candidate sets, monitors, and achieves clear outcomes. They use metrics as a guiding light for their strategies, ensuring that every initiative aligns with our department's overarching goals and contributes to our students and postdocs' success.
• Our candidate has a natural ability to lead group programs, fostering collaborative and productive environments. They excel in bringing diverse stakeholders together to achieve common goals.
• Proficiency in using social media and other digital platforms for engagement, branding, and outreach is a hallmark of our candidate. They understand the power of digital tools in today's interconnected world.
• Prioritizing scalable, group-based interventions, our candidate ensures that our programs have a broader impact. They leverage innovative educational approaches and technologies to enhance learning experiences.

In shaping the profile of the ideal candidate for the role of Assistant Director of Doctoral Life Design at Johns Hopkins University, we believe in fostering a work environment that aligns with diverse career aspirations and values. While we encourage candidates from various backgrounds, it's helpful to recognize that this position may not be the best fit for those primarily seeking traditional counseling roles or those who prefer a different work model. Moreover, individuals who prefer working independently without much collaboration or those looking for a less dynamic work environment may want to consider their compatibility with this role. Candidates must assess their alignment with the expectations and requirements outlined in the job description to ensure a fulfilling career fit.

• Master's Degree.
  

• Three years of experience in higher education, government, non-profit, or corporate settings.
  

• Additional experience may substitute for required education, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• Ph.D. in a relevant field, preferably in the Humanities or Social Sciences.
• Experience with online Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as Canvas, Blackboard, and/or Moodle.
• Proficiency in Life Design frameworks, including methods for self-exploration, goal setting, and adaptability.
• Demonstrates ability to guide and develop others professionally through effective mentoring or coaching.
• A deep commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all professional engagements.
  

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make informed, independent decisions.
  

• Proven ability to teach or train, effectively conveying information and engaging learners.
  

• Demonstrates outstanding communication and presentation skills, effectively conveying complex ideas to diverse audiences.
  

• Possesses exceptional project management and time management skills, ensuring efficient coordination and timely completion of projects.
  

• Knowledgeable in a wide range of career pathways for doctoral scholars, with a particular emphasis on opportunities available to Humanities and Social Sciences graduates.
  

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional networks and relationships.
  

• Strong passion for career design and development, with a student-centric and relationship-centric approach.
  

• Strong background in cross-disciplinary collaboration, relationship-building, and networking.

Classified Title: IL & LD Officer 
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Assistant Director, Doctoral Life Design, KSAS   
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/04/MD  
Starting Salary Range: $55,800 - $97,600 Annually (Targeted $75,000 Commensurate with experience) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Mon - Fri / 08:30am - 05:00pm 
Exempt Status: Exempt 
Location: Homewood Campus 
Department name: ???????PHutures 
Personnel area: University Student Services 

About Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University remains committed to its founding principle, that education for all students should be grounded in exploration and discovery. Hopkins students are challenged not just to learn but also to advance learning itself. Critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and entrepreneurship are all encouraged and nourished in this unique educational environment. After more than 130 years, Johns Hopkins remains a world leader in both teaching and research. Faculty members and their research colleagues at the university's Applied Physics Laboratory have each year since 1979 won Johns Hopkins more federal research and development funding than any other university. The university has nine academic divisions and campuses throughout the Baltimore-Washington area. The Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, the Whiting School of Engineering, the School of Education and the Carey Business School are based at the Homewood campus in northern Baltimore. The schools of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing share a campus in east Baltimore with The Johns Hopkins Hospital. The Peabody Institute, a leading professional school of music, is located on Mount Vernon Place in downtown Bal...timore. The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies is located in Washington's Dupont Circle area.

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