Edtech.com's Summary

The University of North Texas at Dallas is hiring an Executive Director for the Center for Experiential Learning and Career Success (CELCS). This executive will lead a team of 13 staff to expand experiential learning, career readiness, and employer partnerships, integrating innovative practices such as Generative AI fluency to empower a diverse student body toward career success.

Highlights

Lead strategic development of experiential learning, career readiness education, and employer partnerships university-wide.
Collaborate with faculty and academic leaders to design high-impact practice toolkits and align career readiness with academic programs.
Supervise and mentor a team of 13 full-time staff and support personnel managing career services and experiential programs.
Utilize data-driven approaches for program assessment, learning outcome evaluation, and continuous improvement.
Leverage technology platforms including career services software, CRM systems, labor market analytics, and Generative AI tools.
Build and sustain strategic relationships with local, regional, and national employers and community organizations.
Manage an expanded operating budget to support program operations and technological infrastructure.
Require a Master’s degree and minimum 7 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education with focus on experiential learning and career services.
Serve a diverse, largely first-generation student population, promoting workforce alignment and enduring human skills development.
Report to the Associate Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Innovation; represent the Center in university committees and public events.

Executive Director, Experiential Learning & Career Success Full Description

Department Summary

Center for Experiential Learning and Career Success (CELCS) is a critical component of our 2030 Vision for UNT Dallas to become the leading public regional university in the area by delivering a holistic educational experience that integrates career-ready skills, leadership development, and experiential learning.

Position Overview

The University of North Texas at Dallas invites visionary leaders to apply for the position of Executive Director of the Center for Experiential Learning and Career Success (CELCS). The Center is a critical component of our 2030 Vision for UNT Dallas to become the leading public regional university in the area by delivering a holistic educational experience that integrates career-ready skills, leadership development, and experiential learning. Grounded in our UNT System-wide values, the Executive Director will guide a newly expanded team of 13 full-time staff members to build an ecosystem where real-world learning, Generative AI fluency, high-impact practices, and enduring human skills intersect - through close collaboration with an array of campus leaders. Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Innovation in the Office of the Provost, this executive will directly empower our diverse, largely first-generation student body to become purpose-driven, career-ready leaders.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree in Higher Education, Business Administration, Student Affairs or related field; 7 years in years of progressive leadership experience in higher education, with a focus on experiential learning, student success, career services, or a related area.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated expertise in experiential learning models, career development theory, and high-impact practices (internships, study abroad, service learning, and undergraduate research), including experience integrating these frameworks into academic program pathways.
Strong strategic planning, organizational leadership, team supervision, and change management skills within complex environments, with a proven track record of leading expanded teams and serving first-generation and nontraditional college students.
Proven ability to build and sustain cross-functional partnerships with faculty, Deans, employers, and community stakeholders, including supporting faculty in curriculum alignment and career readiness initiatives.
Skilled in data-informed decision-making, including program assessment, learning outcome evaluation, and metric reporting for continuous improvement and student success.
Effective communicator with the ability to engage diverse audiences—including academic leadership, faculty, students, and executive employer partners—through written, oral, and presentation formats.
Technologically adept, with experience leveraging career services platforms, CRM systems, labor market analytics, and Generative AI tools to scale student engagement and operational workflows.
Broad grasp of labor market trends, industry expectations, and emerging workplace competencies, including the integration of enduring human skills and Generative AI applications.

Job Duties

Lead the strategic development and execution of initiatives to expand and enhance experiential learning opportunities, career readiness education, and employer partnerships, including guiding the university-wide integration of career readiness across undergraduate degree programs.
Work with the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL), Deans, and Department Chairs to design faculty toolkits and programs that facilitate engagement in high-impact practices, ensuring opportunities for internships, study abroad, undergraduate research, service learning, and emerging skill frameworks are accessible and aligned with academic pathways.
Lead the team to provide comprehensive, technology-enabled support for students, including career coaching, resume development, interview preparation, job search strategies, Generative AI fluency, and employer networking.
Build and maintain strategic relationships with local, regional, and national employers as well as community organizations to co-create talent pipelines and expand network opportunities for internships, service learning, and post-graduation employment.
Regularly assess the success and impact of the Center's initiatives and curricular integration efforts, using qualitative and quantitative data to inform decision-making, demonstrate student success, and drive continuous program improvement.
Manage the Center's expanded operating budget, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently to support operations, technological infrastructure, and growing program goals.
Hire, supervise, mentor, and lead a team of 13 full-time professional staff, student assistants, and interns who support the execution and operational growth of the Center's programs.
Represent the Center on university committees, task forces, and at public events, serving as a visible advocate for the value of experiential learning, workforce alignment, and career initiatives.

Physical Requirements

Communicating with others to exchange information.
Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.

Environmental Hazards

No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Work Schedule

On campus, Monday - Friday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm, some weekends as needed for programming

Driving University Vehicle

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.

Original Job Description

Department Summary

Position Overview

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated expertise in experiential learning models, career development theory, and high-impact practices (internships, study abroad, service learning, and undergraduate research), including experience integrating these frameworks into academic program pathways.
Strong strategic planning, organizational leadership, team supervision, and change management skills within complex environments, with a proven track record of leading expanded teams and serving first-generation and nontraditional college students.
Proven ability to build and sustain cross-functional partnerships with faculty, Deans, employers, and community stakeholders, including supporting faculty in curriculum alignment and career readiness initiatives.
Skilled in data-informed decision-making, including program assessment, learning outcome evaluation, and metric reporting for continuous improvement and student success.
Effective communicator with the ability to engage diverse audiences—including academic leadership, faculty, students, and executive employer partners—through written, oral, and presentation formats.
Technologically adept, with experience leveraging career services platforms, CRM systems, labor market analytics, and Generative AI tools to scale student engagement and operational workflows.
Broad grasp of labor market trends, industry expectations, and emerging workplace competencies, including the integration of enduring human skills and Generative AI applications.

Job Duties

Lead the strategic development and execution of initiatives to expand and enhance experiential learning opportunities, career readiness education, and employer partnerships, including guiding the university-wide integration of career readiness across undergraduate degree programs.
Work with the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL), Deans, and Department Chairs to design faculty toolkits and programs that facilitate engagement in high-impact practices, ensuring opportunities for internships, study abroad, undergraduate research, service learning, and emerging skill frameworks are accessible and aligned with academic pathways.
Lead the team to provide comprehensive, technology-enabled support for students, including career coaching, resume development, interview preparation, job search strategies, Generative AI fluency, and employer networking.
Build and maintain strategic relationships with local, regional, and national employers as well as community organizations to co-create talent pipelines and expand network opportunities for internships, service learning, and post-graduation employment.
Regularly assess the success and impact of the Center's initiatives and curricular integration efforts, using qualitative and quantitative data to inform decision-making, demonstrate student success, and drive continuous program improvement.
Manage the Center's expanded operating budget, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently to support operations, technological infrastructure, and growing program goals.
Hire, supervise, mentor, and lead a team of 13 full-time professional staff, student assistants, and interns who support the execution and operational growth of the Center's programs.
Represent the Center on university committees, task forces, and at public events, serving as a visible advocate for the value of experiential learning, workforce alignment, and career initiatives.

Physical Requirements

Communicating with others to exchange information.
Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.

Environmental Hazards

No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Work Schedule

On campus, Monday - Friday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm, some weekends as needed for programming

Driving University Vehicle

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted.

EEO Statement

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Executive Director, Experiential Learning & Career Success

Edtech.com's Summary

Executive Director, Experiential Learning & Career Success Full Description

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