Position Summary:
The Assistant Director of Experiential Learning and Employer Engagement provides strategic leadership for the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of employer engagement and experiential learning initiatives that enhance student success and strengthen workforce alignment. This position cultivates and manages partnerships with employers, industry leaders, economic development organizations, and community stakeholders to expand career-connected learning opportunities, including internships, cooperative education, project-based learning, job shadowing, service learning, and other high-impact experiential learning experiences.
Working collaboratively with Academic Divisions, Economic, Workforce & Community Development, and external partners, the Assistant Director develops innovative strategies that connect classroom learning with meaningful career experiences, increase employer participation, and create sustainable talent pipelines that support regional workforce needs. The position is responsible for coordinating employer engagement efforts, assessing program outcomes, leveraging career management technologies, and advancing initiatives that prepare students for successful employment while supporting the College’s strategic priorities.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead the development and expansion of experiential learning opportunities including internships, cooperative education, clinical experiences, service learning, project-based learning, micro-internships, job shadowing, and other work-based learning experiences.
- Collaborate with faculty and academic leadership to integrate experiential learning into academic programs and support student career readiness.
- Develop strategies that increase student participation in experiential learning opportunities across all instructional divisions.
- Coordinate experiential learning events including internship fairs, employer information sessions, networking events, and career-focused programming.
- Develop and maintain processes that support quality experiential learning placements and positive employer and student experiences.
- Support students through the experiential learning process by providing guidance on internships, employer expectations, professional preparation, and career readiness.
- Assist students with Credit for Prior Learning portfolio development and related documentation when applicable.
- Utilize career management technology to manage employer relationships, experiential learning opportunities, and student participation.
- Track, analyze, and report key performance indicators related to employer engagement, student participation, internship outcomes, and experiential learning initiatives.
- Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to promote employer partnerships, student success stories, and experiential learning opportunities.
- Participate in departmental strategic planning and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Serve on institutional committees and workgroups supporting student success, workforce development, and employer engagement.
- Maintain membership and active involvement in relevant professional organizations.
- Utilize technology, including AI-enabled tools and software where appropriate, to support the effective performance of assigned duties, enhance productivity, improve communication and information management, support decision-making, and other responsibilities, while ensuring compliance with confidentiality requirements, institutional policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
- Provide support for Center for Career Success initiatives, employer outreach activities, and departmental operations.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Career Success.
Minimum Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Human Resources, or a related field required. Master’s degree preferred.
- Three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in employer engagement, career services, workforce development, experiential learning, business development, talent acquisition, internship coordination, or a closely related field required.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and sustain collaborative partnerships with employers, industry, community organizations, faculty, and internal stakeholders.
- Excellent interpersonal, written, verbal, presentation, and organizational skills with the ability to build relationships across diverse constituencies.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, analyze data, and implement programs that support student success and workforce development.
- Ability to use workplace technology relevant to the position, including the capacity to learn and appropriately leverage emerging AI-supported tools. Ability to assess the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated content, maintain confidentiality, and apply sound judgment and ethical practices in the use of technology.
- Experience using career management systems, customer relationship management (CRM) software, or similar technology is preferred.
- Experience working in higher education, workforce development, economic development, or a related employer-facing environment is preferred.
Additional Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated experience developing partnerships with employers, industry, workforce agencies, or community organizations.
- Experience coordinating internships, cooperative education, career services, employer relations, workforce development, or experiential learning initiatives.
- Knowledge of career development theories, workforce trends, and labor market needs.
- Experience using career management platforms (Handshake preferred or similar systems).
- Strong relationship-building, project management, and presentation skills.
- Ability to analyze data and prepare reports measuring program effectiveness.
- Demonstrated commitment to student success and equitable access to career-connected learning opportunities.
Pay: $65,425.00 - $71,966.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
