Director, Office of Professional Development at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee

Job Description:

The Director of Professional Development provides leadership in the areas of career and professional development for the School of Graduate Studies, including development of graduate students, staff, and faculty. The director will create innovative programming in these areas to ensure successful implementation and execution. The director will create and monitor metrics for successful outcomes regarding utilization of career services to career readiness. The director will also serve as the lead navigator for key national fellowship for students and direct student training in grantsmanship.



Daily Operations

• Will work closely with the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs to oversee career development for the School of Graduate Studies, including opportunities for students, staff, and faculty. Interface with the Department of Applied Education to provide formal and informal training for all members of SOGS.


• Create innovative career development programming (e.g. course curriculum), to enhance students' career exploration and readiness. Manage the portfolio of career and professional development programming including, advising, workshops, and information sessions that assist students with identifying and achieving their career goals. Manage the collection, interpretation, and reporting of data about career development outcomes, program attendance, and satisfaction.


• Manage the implementation and utilization of individual development plan (IDP) by students. Create training materials and deliver workshops to train students and faculty to use the IDP; conduct 1-on-1 IDP meetings with students. Track metrics and create reports regarding IDP usage.


• Create and deliver training materials to enhance student development in grantsmanship. Assist students in preparing and submitting grant and fellowship applications.


• Initiate and maintain contact with Meharry alumni to engage them in career and professional development activities and to provide opportunities for students. Identify and cultivate employer relationships for the purpose of hiring Meharry students for internships through networking events and career sector education.


• Recruitment of potential students. Serve on the PhD and MHS admissions committee. Represent the school at specified regional and national career and graduate education professional association conferences and professional development workshops.


• Facilitate CIMER training to new faculty. Develop and administer other professional training for current faculty. Informs faculty of professional development opportunities.


• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Successful candidates should have prior experience advising graduate students, working on NIH grants, and organizing career development seminars


• Ability to organize and prioritize to accomplish goals; time management skills


• Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communications skills, strong team player with commitment to Meharry values Must be able to expertly handle multiple tasks and priorities and meet deadlines; must be well-organized and pay attention to details.


• Must possess experience working in an academic medical center environment


• Must possess the computer skills and ability to learn and adapt to new technologies and concepts, including use of electronic resources such as Dropbox, Adobe, Zoom, and Trello.


• Must be able to handle confidential data.

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university with at least two (2) years of directly related management expertise and administration experience required; or BS from an accredited college or university with at least 4 years of administrative experience.


• Experience working with graduate students