Senior Director, Doctoral & Postdoctoral Life Design

At Johns Hopkins University, we are driven by an ambitious goal: to empower our doctoral and postdoctoral scholars to navigate their careers with purpose and confidence. The Doctoral Life Design Studio embodies this vision as a dynamic, future-focused hub where scholars can explore diverse career possibilities, forge lasting connections, and utilize innovative tools to thrive in academic and non-academic arenas.

Life Design at Hopkins goes beyond traditional career development; it is a transformative process that nurtures curiosity, fosters growth, and opens doors to new opportunities. The Department of PHutures is seeking aSenior Director, Doctoral & Postdoctoral Life Design.

As the Senior Director, you will play a pivotal role in realizing this vision, ensuring that the Studio serves not only as a resource hub but also as a catalyst for meaningful personal and professional development. Your leadership will cultivate an environment that empowers scholars to actively design their futures with intention and impact.

In this role, reporting to the Assistant Vice Provost for Integrative Learning and Life Design, you will lead a dedicated team committed to transforming the career trajectories of all our doctoral and postdoctoral scholars. This position requires a blend of strategic vision and operational excellence to ensure that our Life Design offerings consistently meet and exceed the evolving needs of the academic community.

You will collaborate closely with university leadership, faculty, staff, and alumni to design and implement innovative programs, digital platforms, and impactful events that equip scholars with the clarity and confidence to navigate their professional futures. Your oversight will encompass a comprehensive portfolio of services aligned with the university's mission to prepare scholars for careers that create lasting, real-world impact both within and beyond academia.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Mentorship

• Partner closely with the Assistant Vice Provost (AVP) to shape and execute the strategic vision for career education and Life Design initiatives.
• Collaborate with deans, faculty, and university leadership across JHU, particularly within the Schools of Medicine, Public Health, Nursing, Engineering, and Arts & Sciences, to seamlessly integrate Life Design principles into academic programs and institutional planning and ensure strategies and initiatives seamlessly integrate with the broader academic vision.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team of Life Design professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Provide personalized coaching and support to team members, facilitating their professional growth and leadership development.
• Set clear, ambitious goals for the team, implement measurable performance metrics, and conduct regular progress assessments to drive accountability and excellence.
• Drive operational efficiency by aligning team efforts with institutional objectives and implementing strategies to optimize processes and enhance productivity.
• Ensure consistency in leadership practices and service delivery across all areas of responsibility.
• Represent Johns Hopkins University on internal and external committees, and at local, regional, and national conferences, workshops, and thought leadership forums, enhancing the institution's reputation as a pioneer in PhD and postdoctoral career education.

Program Oversight & Innovation

• Spearhead the design, implementation, and continuous refinement of cutting-edge career programs, workshops, and curricula tailored to the diverse needs of doctoral and postdoctoral scholars.
• Lead a comprehensive strategy for Doctoral and Postdoctoral Life Design programs, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and scholar needs.
• Direct the evolution and expansion of existing career curriculums, maintaining compliance with grant requirements and PhD program objectives.
• Integrate modules across all programs that enhance scholars' essential skills and prepare them for diverse career paths.
• Develop and implement skills and career-focused programs that result in tangible, application-ready deliverables and materials for learners.
• Ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are woven into all program designs to foster a truly inclusive environment ensuring that scholars from all backgrounds feel seen, heard, and valued.
• Lead the execution of career and identity-based conferences, such as Horizons by Hopkins and Black and Latinx events, fostering networking opportunities and professional growth.
• Seek, cultivate, and nurture partnerships with industry experts, thought leaders, alumni, and renowned research entities to strengthen networks and facilitate meaningful interactions, learning experiences, and career opportunities for scholars.
• Oversee, enhance, and expand signature programs, including the Empower Your Pitch research communication contest, grant writing modules, and career resiliency workshops, ensuring continuous innovation and alignment with institutional priorities.
• Develop new, forward-thinking programs that address emerging needs in the job market and scholarly community.
• Maintain and expand expertise in doctoral and post-doctoral professional and career development, particularly in engineering, humanities, life and biomedical sciences, public health, and nursing.
• Collaborate with faculty and academic leadership to integrate career education into the curriculum.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends in career development and the job market, incorporating this knowledge into program design and delivery.
• Explore and implement innovative program delivery methods, including virtual reality, gamification, and AI-assisted learning, to enhance engagement and accessibility.
• Develop a suite of on-demand, self-paced learning resources to complement in-person programming and cater to diverse learning styles and schedules.
• Implement effective project management practices to ensure timely execution, meet deadlines, and optimize resource allocation across all initiatives.

Strategic Engagement & Relationship Building

• Lead and manage the Career Champion Initiative, guiding the team to effectively implement and optimize the program, and enhancing relationships with diverse stakeholders across the university.
• Collaborate with the Employer Partnerships team to develop partnerships that enhance internship opportunities, job placements, and career pathways for doctoral and postdoctoral scholars, ensuring alignment with industry needs and emerging career trends.
• Foster consistent, meaningful, and proactive interactions with faculty and the vast alumni community to harness their collective wisdom and provide invaluable mentorship opportunities for students and postdocs.
• Engage with thought leaders, innovators, and key stakeholders to position JHU as a leader in PhD and postdoctoral life design.

Data Management & Strategic Insights

• Develop and implement a comprehensive data management and assessment strategy for the Doctoral Life Design Studio, ensuring accurate tracking of program participation, scholar engagement, and career outcomes.
• Utilize data-driven insights to continuously evaluate, refine, and enhance career programs, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of doctoral and postdoctoral scholars while aligning with institutional goals.
• Establish and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), leveraging data-driven insights to inform decision-making and ensure strategic alignment
• Use data to guide decision-making, optimize resource allocation, and identify emerging trends that inform future program development and services.
• Benchmark performance against peer institutions and national best practices, ensuring that Johns Hopkins remains at the forefront of PhD and postdoctoral career development.
• Provide regular, actionable reports to AVP, highlighting program impact, trends, and areas for growth, ensuring data transparency and accountability.
• Foster a culture of data-informed decision-making within the team, providing training and tools that empower staff to leverage data effectively in program planning and service delivery.
• Ensure compliance with institutional data governance and privacy standards, maintaining integrity and security in data collection, storage, and reporting.

Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage organizational change initiatives, fostering adaptability and resilience within teams while aligning programs with evolving institutional goals and market trends.
• Proven ability to design and scale innovative career programs, courses, and events tailored to the diverse needs of doctoral and postdoctoral scholars.
• Expertise in utilizing Learning Management Systems (LMS) and emerging technologies to enhance learning outcomes and accessibility, including multimedia and interactive content.
• Strong track record of leading interdisciplinary collaborations, aligning academic and career programs with institutional goals, and scholarly success.
• Skilled in conducting needs assessments and staying current with industry trends to ensure program relevance in a rapidly evolving job market.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and develop high-performing teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Proficiency in navigating complex interpersonal dynamics, resolving conflicts, and building a cohesive, innovative team environment.
• Experience in establishing and maintaining high standards of accountability, with the ability to set clear expectations and drive performance.
• Proven success in cultivating strategic partnerships with faculty, university leaders, alumni, and industry partners to create career opportunities for scholars.
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate complex situations and translate insights into actionable strategies.
• Experience conducting program evaluations and impact assessments to measure program effectiveness and inform future development.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence senior leadership, faculty, and external partners.
• Creative and strategic approach to using digital platforms and social media to enhance engagement and institutional visibility.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of program development and delivery, ensuring equitable access for all scholars.
• Adept at managing multiple projects and priorities, optimizing workflows, and delivering impactful results under pressure.
• Experience managing budgets and resources, ensuring alignment with institutional goals, and optimizing program delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change initiatives and adapt strategies in response to evolving institutional and market needs.
• Ability to think creatively and propose innovative solutions to challenges in career education and development.

The Ideal Candidate Profile

• Our ideal candidate is a visionary leader who thrives on transforming challenges into opportunities for meaningful change.
• The ideal candidate embodies a blend of innovation, adaptability, and strategic thinking required to lead our Doctoral Life Design Studio into the future, empowering our scholars and reinforcing Johns Hopkins University's position at the forefront of academic and career excellence.
• In addition, the ideal candidate possesses,

• A proactive and creative mindset that anticipates needs and develops cutting-edge solutions aligned with the university's mission and strategic goals.
• An unwavering commitment to continuous improvement and forward-thinking strategies that ensure lasting impact.
• The ability to flourish in a dynamic environment, embracing diverse perspectives and adapting swiftly to new ideas and approaches.
• A growth mindset that values feedback and actively seeks opportunities for personal and professional development.
• Natural talent for fostering trust and respect, recognizing and leveraging individual strengths to cultivate a supportive, high-performing team culture.
• Compassionate leadership that meets professional needs, driving exceptional outcomes through thoughtful support and clear motivation.
• Proficiency in leveraging technology to maintain connectivity and productivity in a digital-first, flexible work environment.
• Excellence in modern work models, ensuring efficiency and fostering collaboration across institutional boundaries.
• Exceptional skill in forming and nurturing strategic relationships with students, faculty, alumni, and external partners.
• Deep understanding of diverse stakeholder needs, building connections that propel the growth and success of the entire university community.
• An unyielding drive to elevate the institution beyond the status quo, consistently seeking new opportunities for growth and excellence.
• The ability to align initiatives with the university's long-term objectives, ensuring that both scholars and the institution continue to lead and thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.

• Master's Degree required in a related field.
• Three years of related work experience.
• Serving diverse populations of doctoral or postdoctoral trainees, including international trainees, under-represented minority students and trainees, and people with disabilities.
• Work that demonstrates an understanding of nationally recognized practices, trends, and procedures for university career and life design, especially the unique needs of doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows.
• Work that demonstrates success in developing institutionally effective and strategic partnerships and engaging effectively with multiple tiers of stakeholders.
• Work that has demonstrated leadership skills.
• Work that requires knowledge of highly selective college or R1 university settings.
• Work that requires familiarity with the operations of employers.

• PhD or equivalent terminal Degree.
• Five to ten years of senior leadership experience in career services or professional development within higher education.
• Expertise in doctoral and postdoctoral career development, particularly in engineering, life and biomedical sciences, or public health.
• Experience conducting needs assessments and market research to inform innovative program development.
• Proficiency in advanced data management and comprehensive assessment strategies.
• Experience representing institutions at national conferences and thought leadership forums.
• Experience managing budgets and resources, ensuring alignment with institutional goals, and optimizing program delivery.
• Proven ability to collaborate with faculty and academic leadership to integrate career development into academic programs.

Classified Title: Director Professional & Career Developme
Job Posting Title (Working Title):Senior Director, Doctoral & Postdoctoral Life Design
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/04/MG
Starting Salary Range: $87,400 - $152,900 Annually (Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: M-F 8:30am-5pm
Exempt Status:Exempt
Location:Hybrid/Homewood Campus
Department name: PHutures
Personnel area: University Student Services