Director of Career Services

About Organisation:

JK Lakshmipat University (JKLU) is a national multi-disciplinary University, backed by one of India’s most venerable Industrial houses with a long legacy of philanthropy and nation-building. JKLU is on a mission to become one of the most innovative higher education institutions in India, bringing path-breaking pedagogy and programmes, with a team of extraordinary academic leaders to drive transformation in Indian higher education. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes in engineering, design and management. for more information, please visit www.jklu.edu.in

JOB PURPOSE:

To provide leadership and strategic direction to the university’s Career Services and Placement operations. The Director will be responsible for cultivating a robust network of industry partnerships, positioning JKLU as a preferred talent destination for employers across sectors, and driving student career preparedness.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Corporate Relations & Industry Engagement

• Develop and sustain long-term strategic partnerships with corporates, start-ups, and PSUs to enhance placement and internship opportunities.
• Represent JKLU at national and regional forums, employer summits, and industry associations to elevate the university’s placement brand.

Visibility, Events & Branding

• Lead the organisation of high-impact events such as Career Fairs, Industry Roundtables, Leadership Talks, and Alumni Meetups to boost employer and student engagement.
• Collaborate with the Marketing & Communications team to position JKLU's talent pipeline through media, PR, and digital platforms.

Strategic Leadership & Team Management

• Provide strategic oversight for the planning, execution and continuous improvement of career services and placement functions.
• Lead, mentor and manage the career services team by setting clear KPIs, facilitating professional development, and fostering a high-performance culture.

Policies, Systems, Processes & Procedures

• Implement department policies, procedures and controls covering all areas of the career services and placements activity so that all relevant procedural requirements are fulfilled while delivering a quality, cost-effective service
• Collaborate with academic leadership to align student employability initiatives with program objectives and emerging industry trends.

Placement & Internship Ecosystem Management

• Design and execute the annual campus recruitment strategy for internships and final placements.
• Monitor and improve key metrics including placement percentage, median salary, recruiter diversity, and student satisfaction.
• Leverage data analytics to track hiring trends, employer feedback, and placement outcomes for continuous refinement.

Career Coaching & Student Development

• Oversee the design and delivery of comprehensive career readiness programs – resume building, mock interviews, assessment centre preparation, aptitude and soft skills training.
• Establish mentoring mechanisms to guide students in career planning and goal setting.

Technology & Knowledge Management

• Supervise the career services-related communications for real-time access to job listings, placement calendars, analytics, and employer dashboards.
• Maintain and expand an employer database capturing recruitment history, compensation benchmarks, and industry trends.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS:

Educational Background:

• BE/Postgraduate degree in Management, Human Resources, Education, or related field. Preferably MBA or equivalent.

Minimum Experience:

• Minimum 12–15 years of recent experience in corporate connect, outreach and placements, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.

Job-Specific Knowledge & Skills:

• Knowledge of candidate screening/assessment processes
• Strong change management skills
• Strong public relations skills
• Business acumen
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong understanding of academic dynamics and processes
• Research skills