We are seeking an Assistant Director for Doctoral Life Design OPTIONS who will be an essential part of the Doctoral Life Design Studio at Johns Hopkins University (JHU). This role is responsible for leading the OPTIONS Program, a required curriculum component tailored specifically for Ph.D. students and postdoctoral fellows in Biomedical Sciences. While the program’s primary base is in the School of Medicine, it also serves Biomedical Science departments in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) and the Bloomberg School of Public Health (BSPH), creating a unified approach to career and professional development across JHU’s Biomedical Sciences community.

In this capacity, the Assistant Director oversees and grows the OPTIONS Program, which combines structured career exploration, experiential learning, and professional connections with alumni and PhD. -trained professionals across various fields. Additionally, the Assistant Director ensures that OPTIONS aligns with NIH T32 training grant standards, supporting compliance and bolstering professional development for students in T32-funded programs. Through partnerships with stakeholders in the School of Medicine, KSAS, and BSPH, the Assistant Director maintains the program’s impact, adaptability, and relevance to the unique career trajectories of JHU’s Biomedical Sciences doctoral and postdoctoral population.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the OPTIONS Program, overseeing development, programming, marketing, content creation, and logistics to engage and support doctoral students in Biomedical Sciences across JHU.
• Drive program expansion by cultivating partnerships with new academic departments, increasing program reach and engagement within Biomedical Ph.D. programs across Johns Hopkins.
• Develop and implement innovative, research-based career exploration and skill-building curricula tailored for doctoral students and postdoctoral trainees, with a focus on Biomedical Sciences.
• Manage and deliver career development curriculum through online platforms (e.g., Canvas), ensuring structured, cohort-based learning and tracking student progress with data-informed assessments.
• Design and implement evaluation strategies to monitor student satisfaction and career readiness, leveraging feedback to refine and optimize curriculum offerings.
• Gather and analyze feedback from students, postdocs, faculty, and industry partners to refine programming and support strategic direction.
• Lead data collection and analysis initiatives, using tools like Power BI to evaluate program participation, measure impact, and guide continuous improvement.
• Leverage technology platforms, including Canvas and Power BI, to optimize curriculum delivery, data tracking, and reporting, ensuring smooth integration with university systems.
• Conduct research on career development outcomes, securing institutional approvals (e.g., IRB) as needed, and applying findings to strengthen program effectiveness and student outcomes.
• Research and analyze career training initiatives at peer institutions through benchmarking, literature reviews, and stakeholder interviews, integrating best practices into program development.
• Expand OPTIONS Program participation by building strategic partnerships with Ph.D. programs and increasing engagement among doctoral students and postdocs.
• Collaborate with Ph.D. program directors and faculty to advocate for and raise awareness of career curriculum programming, building partnerships to assess needs and deliver tailored services.
• Support Ph.D. recruitment efforts by creating marketing materials, engaging with prospective and admitted students, and participating in events across virtual, hybrid, and in-person formats as needed.
• Cultivate strong connections with alumni and industry professionals to enhance program impact and broaden the professional network for students.
• Implement a scalable group coaching model for career advising, including interactive sessions, collaborative learning, peer support, and expert-led workshops.
• Collaborate with cross-departmental teams, including Central IT and assessment offices, to enhance data tracking systems and ensure effective communication of program progress to stakeholders.
• Support the Senior Director in advancing office goals, vision, and communication strategies, and assist in establishing evaluation frameworks to measure impact and progress across initiatives.
• Engage senior leadership, funding partners, and stakeholders to advocate for the integration of career development initiatives within the university’s strategic priorities.
• Plan and co-lead career and identity-based conferences to create networking, professional growth, and knowledge exchange opportunities.
• Craft and communicate JHU’s story, emphasizing the university's commitment to career and learning solutions to build a strong external presence and brand recognition.
• Author and contribute to academic publications that highlight program innovations and demonstrate the integration of career development within Biomedical Ph.D. education.
• Represent the OPTIONS Program at national conferences, sharing best practices and insights on program implementation and scaling with external audiences.
• Oversee and enhance professional and career development content on the Doctoral Life Design Studio website, manage social media outreach, and author blog articles, ensuring all content aligns with brand standards and current trends.
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and staying current with trends in career development, including participating in professional development opportunities relevant to doctoral career services.
• Commit to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within the OPTIONS Program, creating accessible and inclusive programming that supports students from diverse backgrounds in Biomedical Sciences.
• Foster a collaborative and cohesive office environment by working closely with team members to integrate career curriculums and educational initiatives.
• Conduct periodic reviews to assess the success of strategies, make informed adjustments, and support a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with funding agencies and manage resources effectively, working with university administration to secure support for OPTIONS programming and career development initiatives.

Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Program Development and Curriculum Design: Demonstrated expertise in designing, implementing, and scaling career development programs tailored for doctoral and postdoctoral students, with a particular focus on Biomedical Sciences.
• Data Analysis and Assessment: Proficient in data collection, analysis, and interpretation using tools such as Power BI, Excel, or similar platforms. Skilled in creating assessment frameworks and utilizing data to evaluate program impact and inform improvements.
• Educational Technology: Experienced in managing and delivering curriculum on learning management systems, particularly Canvas, to facilitate structured, cohort-based learning and engagement.
• Research and Scholarship: Knowledgeable in academic research processes, including IRB procedures, survey development, and presenting findings. Capable of contributing to scholarly publications and presenting at national conferences.
• Digital Content Management and Outreach: Strong digital communication skills, including content creation for websites, social media management, and writing for online platforms to maintain a consistent, professional brand aligned with institutional standards.
• Strategic Partnership Building: Ability to cultivate partnerships within and beyond the university, engaging with academic departments, alumni, and industry professionals to enhance program visibility and impact.
• Student Advising and Coaching: Skilled in career advising techniques and group coaching methodologies, offering practical career support that adapts to diverse student needs.
• Project and Resource Management: Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage timelines, resources, and priorities effectively. Experience in securing and managing grants or other funding sources to support program sustainability.
• Communication and Public Speaking: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for public speaking engagements, conference presentations, and publication submissions. Able to translate complex ideas into accessible content for diverse audiences.
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Knowledgeable about DEI best practices, with the ability to develop inclusive programming that supports students from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM fields.
• Institutional Alignment and Advocacy: Skilled in aligning program goals with institutional priorities and advocating for program needs at multiple levels of the university, ensuring strategic fit within the broader mission of Johns Hopkins University.
• Continuous Learning and Adaptability: Demonstrates an openness to ongoing professional development, staying current on career development trends, innovative program models, and emerging technologies. Able to adapt to evolving needs and respond effectively to feedback.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate for the Assistant Director of the OPTIONS Program in Doctoral Life Design at Johns Hopkins University is a strategic, data-driven leader with a strong commitment to advancing career development in Biomedical Sciences. This person has a proven track record of successfully scaling academic programs and a keen ability to forge partnerships across university departments and with external stakeholders. They demonstrate a deep understanding of the career pathways available to Ph.D. students and postdoctoral fellows and have a passion for driving impact in this area.

Key strengths include curriculum development, data analysis, and a focus on innovation in career education. The candidate is adept at leveraging online platforms and data visualization tools to manage and assess program impact and has experience in research and scholarship, including securing institutional approvals, publishing, and presenting findings at national conferences.

The ideal candidate is also skilled in securing and managing grants or funding, with a strong background in resource management. They bring expertise in designing and implementing assessment strategies to evaluate program effectiveness, student satisfaction, and impact and can communicate these insights effectively.

With a student-centered approach, they bring experience in career coaching or mentorship tailored to the unique needs of doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows. They are adaptable and innovative, proactive in identifying new approaches to program delivery and integrating emerging educational technologies.

Collaborative and skilled in stakeholder engagement, the ideal candidate builds meaningful partnerships with faculty, program directors, alumni, and industry professionals. They are a strong communicator who can effectively share Johns Hopkins University’s story, inspire audiences through digital platforms, and foster a strong brand presence. Experience in advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is essential, as the candidate ensures program accessibility and support for students from diverse backgrounds.

Finally, the candidate demonstrates a commitment to aligning the OPTIONS Program with Johns Hopkins’ broader strategic priorities. They effectively advocate for career development initiatives, foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, and bring strong project management skills to maintain high standards. This candidate is motivated to champion a data-informed, student-centered approach to career development at Johns Hopkins.

• Masters Degree.

• Five years of experience within a higher education, government, non-profit, or corporate setting.

• Additional related education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education, as permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• Ph.D. in a STEM field, such as Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Public Health, Education, or a related discipline.
• Experience in career advising or coaching specifically for Ph.D. students and postdoctoral fellows, with knowledge of group coaching models.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within program development and delivery.
• Established presence in STEM, career development, or higher education through publications, conference presentations, or other forms of thought leadership.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing educational or career development programs.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to effectively collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders and present to academic and professional audiences.

Classified Title: Sr. IL & LD Officer 
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Assistant Director, Doctoral Life Design, OPTIONS   
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/04/ME  
Starting Salary Range: $64,600 - $113,300 Annually (Commensurate with experience) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Mon - Fri / 08:30am - 05:00pm 
Exempt Status: Exempt 
Location: Hybrid/Homewood Campus 
Department name: ​​​​​​​PHutures  
Personnel area: University Student Services