Description:

Directs an ongoing university program to ensure that prescribed activities are carried out in accordance with its mission and/or specified objectives. Prepares short- and long-term goals and objectives.

1. Plans, develops and administers methods, strategies and procedures for meeting program objectives; directs and oversees the daily activities of staff members.
2. Prepares and monitors the annual budget and ensures that expenditures are within budget allocation.
3. Directs and coordinates personally, or through subordinate personnel, activities concerned with carrying out the objectives of the program.
4. Directs the preparation of and reviews reports and records of activities to ensure progress is being accomplished toward specified program objectives; modifies or changes methodology as required to redirect activities and attains objectives.
5. Analyzes trends within program areas, maintaining expert awareness of program information and change needs.
6. Formulates, implements, and maintains appropriate policies and procedures concerning program administration.
7. Manages and administers grant for program, including meetings, communication coordination, scholarships and other operations.
8. May prepare or participate in the preparation of proposals to obtain grants from state and federal agencies, and private foundation sponsors.
9. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Additional Description
The Program Director 1 serves as a strategic leader for the Cullen College of Engineering at the Sugar Land campus, driving initiatives that enhance student career readiness and employer engagement. This role designs and delivers innovative career development programming, facilitates recruitment and networking events, and fosters strong partnerships with industry leaders, faculty, and campus stakeholders. The Associate Director provides personalized career advising to students, supporting their professional growth and job search success. Reporting to the Director of Career Services, this position plays a key role in expanding experiential learning opportunities and aligning services with evolving workforce trends.

Key Responsibilities

Career Advising & Student Support
• Deliver individualized career coaching on topics such as career exploration, job search strategies, resume and cover letter development, interview preparation, and offer negotiation.
• Guide students across diverse engineering disciplines toward achieving their career goals.
Program Design & Implementation
• Create and lead workshops, presentations, and recruiting/hiring events that prepare students for career success and introduce them to various professional pathways.
• Coordinate guest speakers, employer panels, and networking opportunities.
• Monitor industry trends, especially those relevant to programs at the Sugar Land and Katy campuses.
• Recruit, train, and supervise career ambassadors.
• Develop and implement evaluation metrics to assess the impact of career coaching, event participation, employer engagement, and overall program visibility.
• Design structured feedback systems to gather insights from both students and employer partners.
Strategic Partnerships & Outreach
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and administrators to integrate career development into the student experience.
• Cultivate relationships with employers, alumni, and campus partners to expand career opportunities and ensure programming reflects current industry needs.
• Promote career services and build visibility within the UH Sugar Land community.
• Engage with departmental advisory boards to design impactful programming and foster engagement initiatives.
• Partner with student organizations to promote awareness of career development resources and services; leverage their networks to amplify outreach.

Marketing and Promotion
• Attend monthly Cougar Paw Meetings to represent career services.
• Tabling in strategic areas of high traffic as needed.
• Leverage social media platforms to promote career services and increase student and employer engagement.

Support for College-Wide Initiatives
• Participate in university-wide career events, including career fairs on the main campus.
• Contribute to special projects that advance the mission of the Cullen College of Engineering and support student success across campuses.

Experience will be considered in lieu of education.

MQ: Education: Requires a thorough understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of an analytical, technical or professional discipline; or the basic knowledge of more than one professional discipline. Knowledge of the discipline is normally obtained through a formal, directly job-related 4 year degree from a college or university or an equivalent in-depth specialized training program that is directly related to the type of work being performed. Experience: Requires a minimum of three (3) years of directly job-related experience.

All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.