The Vice President of Career Link serves as the primary adviser to the Senior Vice President regarding career development of learners (academic and non-credit) and in fulfilling training, education, work-and-learn, and placement needs of employers. This position is responsible for leading all aspects of the Career Link organization, including other members of the workforce and career team to advance strategies for a self-sustaining organization with related performance measures. This position is also responsible for implementing the Career Link strategy and overseeing ongoing support of campus team members throughout the state.

Oversees and manages system-wide Career Link strategy, operations, implementation, and organization.

In concert with Campus Chancellors, provides guidance to the 19 Executive Directors/Vice Chancellors/Directors of Career Link campus teams to drive outcomes tied to student’s Career
Development Portfolio (CDP), work-and-learn experiences for students and employers, placement of students in jobs upon graduation, and fulfillment of training, education, and talent pipelines for employers.

Develops and maintains a culture in the Career Link organization that is student- and employer-centric, based upon demand-driven, voice-of-the-customer, data-oriented solutions leveraged at local and state levels.

Acts alongside the Senior Vice President of Workforce & Careers as a key strategic representative to many external agencies, consortia, partnerships, and workforce groups throughout the state in matters related to student career coaching, work-and-learn constructs, placement frameworks, and employer workforce training and business needs. Key relationships include Indiana Economic Development Corp., Department of Workforce Development, Department of Education, Commission for Higher Education, Strada Education Network, Ascend Indiana, Indiana Chamber, and Skillful Indiana/Markle Foundation, etc.

Leads the College as it seeks to fulfill and expand the training, education, and career development partnership opportunities with business, industry, government, and community members. In addition to developing new leads, the VP receives employer leads from Ivy Tech’s President, SVP Workforce and Careers, and Ivy Tech Foundation President and serves as a main point of contact; develops initial strategy and collaborates with Systems Office and/or statewide campus leads accordingly.

Creates and maintains strategic alliances and builds long-term relationships with economic development entities, corporations, community groups, local, state, and federal agencies, local K-12s, as well as national employers and stakeholders as necessitated by the post pandemic virtual work economy.

Works alongside the SVP of Workforce and Careers, and Ivy Tech Foundation leadership to identify and attract public and private funding opportunities to support the current and ongoing financial needs of the Career Link initiative to scale the program to serve all students and employers with a sustainable number of personnel on the statewide team.

Works collaboratively with Chancellors and campus leaders to successfully implement metrics tied to Career Link in collaboration with the Office of Information Technology (OIT) data analytics team.

Serves as a state and national ambassador for Ivy Tech and Career Link with public speaking and media appearances for conferences and subject matter convenings. Contributes written content to media outlets elevating the brand power of Ivy Tech and Career Link.

Guides the daily activities of 4 direct reports (3 Assistant Vice Presidents and 1 Manager) to support the statewide team of Career Coaches, Employer Consultants, Talent Connection Managers, Program Managers, Apprenticeship Managers, Administrative Assistants, and Interns.

Works with AVP of Career Coaching to provide professional development and subject matter training, tools, and other resources to campus coaches to ensure they are working effectively with students in preparation and tracking of Career Development Portfolios, attainment of work-and-learn experiences, career placement, and other related career preparation needs.

Works with AVP of Employer Consulting to provide professional development and subject matter training, tools, and other resources to campus consultants to ensure they are working effectively with employers in the fulfillment of training, education, work-and-learn, and placement needs.

Works with AVP of Employer and Student Talent Pipeline to ensure work-and-learn, placement, and other career opportunities are available to students and employers.

Works with Manager of Systems, Training, and Innovation to seek out cutting edge and innovative technology and tools to serve the complex needs of Career Link in collaboration with the OIT and Data Analytics team. Works with Manager to ensure campus metrics are collected and reported on a regular cadence to illustrate the return on investment of Career Link to state and national stakeholders.

This is not to be construed as an exhaustive list. Other duties logically associated with this position may be assigned. All responsibilities will be conducted within the parameters of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), other applicable regulatory requirements, and professional standards.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Senior Vice President, Workforce and Careers
SUPERVISION GIVEN: Primary supervision of Assistant Vice Presidents (3) – Coaching, Employer Connections, Employer and Student Talent Pipeline, and Manager of Systems, Training, and Innovation (1)
MATRIX MANAGEMENT: Secondary supervision of Career Link campus team leads – Executive Directors/Directors/Vice Chancellors (19)

Bachelor's degree with a minimum of seven (7) years related experience required.

Position requires a seasoned level of expertise and savvy to lead, examine, understand, elevate, and advocate for the College’s career coaching of students; workforce training, education, and placement needs of employers; and development of best practices, systems, and internal professional development to achieve longitudinal outcomes for students, employers, communities, and the State of Indiana.

Proven ability to build long-term relationships and partnerships with internal and external stakeholder and meet or exceed metrics. Ability to influence change management to garner buy-in for an iterative venture for internal and external stakeholders.

Must possess ability and willingness to travel in the performance of assigned duties.

Must demonstrate ability to promote an inclusive environment that reflects the broad diversity and backgrounds represented by our students and employees and which every individual feels respected and valued.

Master’s degree.

N/A

We have partnered with Kinsley Sarn Executive Search to conduct this search. If you are interested in being considered for this opportunity, please put together the following details:

• Cover letter (no more than 2 pages) outlining your fit to the opportunity
• Resume (no longer than 4 pages)
• 2-3 former managers with name, phone number and email (reference will not be contacted without applicant’s consent)

Please submit these details by email to: Kinsley Sarn Executive Search

Kinsley Sarn will handle all of the submissions for the College. Additional details may be required after reviewing the submission and applications will be accepted until the position is filled.