Concordia University is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and in the world.
Position Summary
The Graduate Career Coach & Student Success Advisor supports the academic progress, career advancement, and overall success of graduate business students from enrollment through program completion and beyond. This role provides individualized academic advising and career coaching to working professionals while delivering proactive outreach to support retention, persistence, and timely degree completion.
The advisor collaborates with faculty, program leadership, alumni, and employer partners to connect students with career opportunities, professional development resources, and industry engagement. The position also supports career programming and employer outreach aligned with MBA concentrations and other graduate programs. This role plays a key part in strengthening student satisfaction, career outcomes, and employer relationships across graduate business offerings.
This position plays a critical role in delivering a high-touch graduate experience that supports working professionals in achieving their educational goals, advancing their careers, and connecting their learning to real-world industry opportunities.
Job Duties & Responsibilities
Academic Advising & Student Success (70%)
- Provide individualized academic advising for graduate business students, including degree planning, course sequencing, and progress monitoring.
- Support students from enrollment through graduation, serving as a primary point of contact for academic success and program navigation.
- Monitor student progress and conduct proactive outreach to students at risk of academic difficulty or delayed completion.
- Collaborate with faculty and program leadership to address student concerns and support academic success.
- Maintain accurate advising records and ensure compliance with institutional policies and procedures.
- Support retention and persistence initiatives aligned with graduate program goals.
Career Coaching & Professional Development (10%)
- Design and host semi-monthly career coaching webinars for graduate students, utilizing guest speakers, industry experts, and career partners. Topics may include:
- Career planning and advancement strategies with experts aligned to MBA concentrations or other Batterman School of Business graduate programs.
- Job search strategies
- Resume and cover letter updates and modernization for AI tools
- LinkedIn and personal branding support
- Interview preparation and salary negotiation guidance
- Career transition and leadership development planning
Industry Relations & Employer Engagement (20%)
- Coordinate with Assistant Dean for External Relations and Assistant Vice President of Strategic Partnerships: Community & Business Outreach and Veteran's Engagement to build and maintain relationships with employers, alumni, and industry partners to support career opportunities for graduate students.
- Plan and coordinate the MBA Industry Leaders Seminar Series, including identifying and hosting speakers, planning the event, and promoting the series.
- Collaborate with graduate faculty and Director of Master's Programs to align industry engagement with curriculum and workforce needs.
- Connect students to internships, applied projects, networking opportunities, and job openings.
- Support employer events, networking sessions, and industry engagement activities.
- Track and report graduate career outcomes.
Instructional Support (as applicable)
- May serve as an adjunct instructor for the MBA Internship course, including mentoring students, evaluating learning outcomes, and coordinating employer-based experiences, pending academic qualifications.
- May serve as an adjunct instructor for the MBA Industry Leaders Seminar course, pending academic qualifications.
- Support experiential learning opportunities connected to graduate programs.
Collaboration & Program Support
- Collaborate with admissions, faculty, and graduate program staff to support the student lifecycle from enrollment through career advancement.
- Contribute to continuous improvement efforts related to student success, career outcomes, and employer engagement.
- Support accreditation, assessment, and reporting efforts related to graduate outcomes and student success metrics.
- Participate in graduate program events, orientations, and professional development activities.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Ability to build partnerships with employers and industry stakeholders.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
- Strong coaching, communication, and relationship-building skills.
- This position works closely with graduate students, faculty, alumni, and employer partners. Evening virtual programming and occasional evening or weekend events may be required to accommodate working professionals.
- Supportive of the mission and values of Concordia University Wisconsin/Ann Arbor and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS)
Education & Experience
Required:
- Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred (business or related field strongly preferred).
- Experience in academic advising, career services, student success, or workforce development.
- Experience working with adult learners or working professionals.
Preferred:
- Experience in graduate or professional business education.
- Experience delivering workshops, webinars, or professional development programming.
- Teaching or adjunct experience in higher education.
- Familiarity with career development tools, labor market data, and employment trends.
Physical Demands/Equipment (Click to View)
Compensation & Benefits
This is a full-time, exempt (salary) staff position. The starting wage is dependent upon individual qualifications and experience. Concordia University benefit options include, but are not limited to the following:
- Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Personal Spending Account, Flexible Spending Account, and/or Health Savings Account
- Disability and Survivor Plan
- Retirement Pension Plan
- Retirement 403(b) Savings Plan
- Basic Life and Supplemental Life Insurance
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage
- Critical Illness and Accident Insurance
- Tuition waiver benefits (available for employees and their qualified dependents)
Compensation and Benefit Details
Application Instructions
To receive full consideration, all applicants are must complete and submit an online employment application through the Concordia University Employment page: https://cuw.applicantpro.com/jobs/
Click on the job you are interested in applying to, enter your contact information in the Apply Now section, and then click the Apply For This Position button to begin the application process.
Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of CU to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.
The University will not discriminate against or harass any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, gender, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
However, CU is an institution of the LCMS and, to the extent allowed by law, CU reserves the right to give preference in employment based on religion. In addition, preference in holding certain employment positions is given to ordained or rostered ministers of the LCMS. Based on a religious tenet, CU recognizes only male, LCMS ordained Ministers of the Gospel, but recognizes both male and female LCMS Rostered Ministers of the Gospel.
The Human Resources Department has been appointed to manage the equal employment opportunity program, including all equal employment opportunity activities, as required by federal, state and local agencies. If any employee or applicant for employment believes this policy has been violated, he/she must contact the Director of Human Resources.
Concordia University is a HLC accredited, co-educational, liberal arts school offering more than 72 undergraduate majors, over 35 master's degree programs, and 5 doctoral programs. There are also a variety of accelerated evening and e-learning programs.
