Job Description

The Senior Director for Technology & Engineering Career Pathways is a senior leader within Career Advancement and Engagement (CAE) at Vanderbilt University responsible for guiding the university’s strategy for preparing students for careers across technology, engineering, and data-driven industries.

This role leads advising coordination, experiential learning development, and employer engagement initiatives that prepare students for careers in software engineering, data science, artificial intelligence, product management, engineering, and emerging technology sectors.

The Senior Director works to connect Vanderbilt students with technology employers, industry mentors, and experiential learning opportunities that strengthen technical and professional readiness for internships and early career opportunities.

Reporting to the Vice Provost for Career Advancement and Engagement, the Senior Director collaborates closely with employer relations leadership, faculty, and campus partners to expand industry partnerships, develop technology-focused experiential learning opportunities, and strengthen Vanderbilt’s reputation as a source of technology and engineering talent.

About the Work Unit
Career Advancement and Engagement (CAE) connects Vanderbilt students with meaningful career opportunities through advising, experiential learning, employer partnerships, and industry engagement. The division is transitioning to a pathway-based model that integrates advising, experiential learning, and employer engagement across key industries. Within this structure, industry pathway leaders guide preparation for specific sectors while collaborating closely with employer relations teams responsible for developing and managing employer partnerships.

This integrated model helps students translate academic learning into professional opportunities while strengthening Vanderbilt’s relationships with employers and industry leaders.

Key Functions and Expected Performance

• Technology & Engineering Career Pathway Strategy
  • Leads Vanderbilt’s technology and engineering career pathway strategy, preparing students for careers across software engineering, data science, product management, engineering, artificial intelligence, and related fields.
  • Develops milestone-driven preparation models aligned with recruiting timelines and employer expectations in technology sectors.
  • Identifies priority employers and collaborates with employer relations leadership to expand partnerships with leading technology companies, startups, and innovation-focused organizations.
• Experiential Learning and Industry Engagement
  • Oversees the development of experiential learning opportunities aligned with technology careers, including industry projects, internships, startup experiences, and employer sponsored programs.
  • Works with technology employers, faculty, and alumni partners to expand opportunities that allow students to apply technical skills in real-world environments.
  • Helps integrate technology-related experiential learning opportunities into Immersion
• Student Advising and Career Preparation
  • Leads teams responsible for advising and preparing students pursuing technology and engineering careers.
  • Ensures students receive coordinated support that integrates advising, experiential learning, and employer engagement opportunities.
  • Supports students in developing technical portfolios, industry connections, and professional preparation needed for competitive recruiting processes.
• Cross-Campus Collaboration
  • Partners closely with the School of Engineering, data science programs, and other academic units involved in technology and innovation education.
  • Collaborates with campus innovation and entrepreneurship programs to connect students with startup ecosystems and emerging technology opportunities.
  • Works with Development and Alumni Relations to activate alumni networks in technology and engineering fields.
• Data, Outcomes, and Continuous Improvement
  • Develops and tracks metrics related to student engagement, technology internships, and placement outcomes.
  • Uses labor market insights and employer feedback to inform pathway strategy and program development.
  • Continuously evaluates advising and experiential learning programs to improve student readiness for technology careers.

Supervisory Relationships
This position has supervisory responsibility for professional staff supporting technology and engineering career pathway initiatives, including advising and experiential learning roles.

This position reports administratively and functionally to the Vice Provost for Career Advancement and Engagement.

Education and Certifications

• Master’s degree, or an equivalent combination of education, military experience, and relevant professional experience is necessary.
• Advanced degree in engineering, computer science, business, or a related field is preferred.

Experience and Skills

• Minimum 8–10 years of relevant professional experience is necessary.
• Experience in technology, engineering, data science, product management, or related industries strongly preferred.
• Experience building partnerships with employers, startups, or innovation ecosystems preferred.
• Experience advising students or managing career preparation programs preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, alumni, and institutional stakeholders.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and strategic planning skills required.

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.