Director of Experiential Learning

UNC-Chapel Hill; North Carolina; On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

UNC-Chapel Hill invites applications for the Director of Experiential Learning in The Graduate School. The role guides innovative experiential learning initiatives that bridge graduate education with industry needs in engineering, health care and tech sectors aligned with North Carolina priorities.

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Professional Development, the director leads data-driven program design, scales partnerships, and advances graduate student workforce outcomes while coordinating

Qualifications

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree with 0–2 years of experience or a combination of related education and experience.
• Experience applying AI tools to strategy, program design, and evaluation are valued.

Responsibilities

• Create scalable experiential-learning programs using data-driven and AI approaches.
• Direct student programming for workplace readiness and employability.
• Cultivate and expand industry partnerships and employer networks in North Carolina.
• Collaborate with The Graduate School and campus partners to build metrics for success and workforce outcomes.
• Engage alumni, industry partners, and external funders to support programming.

Skills

Generative AI

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Data-driven decision making

Education

Master’s or Bachelor’s with 0–2 years’ experience

Job description

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC -Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

Through research, teaching and public service, graduate education creates knowledge that leads to innovative solutions to address critical societal needs. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers more than 80 programs that grant more than 160 graduate degrees and graduate students make up nearly 30% of enrolled students at UNC -Chapel Hill.

The Graduate School of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill provides leadership to envision, shape and support the highest quality education for a diverse community of graduate students whose contributions will have global impact. Drawing on best practices gleaned from graduate educators throughout the country, The Graduate School models the inclusive and equitable policies and practices that the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill strives to instill in every unit, department, and program at this great University.

The Graduate School supports graduate students in almost every program across the Carolina campus and serves students from admission through graduation. We provide financial support (e.g. interdisciplinary fellowships, tuition support, travel awards, and research supplements), career and professional development (e.g. in pedagogy, leadership, communication, grant writing), diversity and student success programming, academic program support and advocacy to students, faculty, staff, and graduate programs. The Graduate School also provides individual students with services tailored to meet their needs.

Position Summary

A SIGN -ON BONUS OF $10,000 IS AVAILABLE FOR THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT OF THIS POSITION PAID WITHIN 30 DAYS OF HIRE DATE.

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Professional Development of the Graduate School, the Director of Experiential Learning will serve as a bridge between The Graduate School, students, and external partners, identifying and facilitating successful experiential learning opportunities for graduate students. This position is aligned with UNC’s forward-looking approach to graduate education in which we seek to complement students’ formal academic training to ensure their readiness for the career path of their choosing, e.g., engineering, health care, and technology sectors aligned with North Carolina economic needs. The Director will identify Carolina’s differentiation advantage in experiential learning and develop innovative formats beyond traditional internships, including micro-internships, project-based learning, and industry-sponsored research opportunities. The Director of Experiential Learning will 1) create scalable solutions using data-driven and AI approaches 2) direct student programming for workplace readiness and 3) advance existing internal and external partnerships and generate innovative solutions for graduate student and employer needs and will actively cultivate existing and new industry partnerships aligned with North Carolina workforce needs. The Director of Experiential Learning will also collaborate proactively with others in The Graduate School and across campus to develop strategic approaches with metrics for success related to graduate student experiential learning and workforce outcomes. In addition, the Director of Experiential Learning will collaborate on alumni engagement, industry partnerships, and external funding to garner financial support for experiential professional development programming.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Master’s or Bachelor’s and 0-2 years’ experience; or will accept a combination of related education and experience in substitution.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Prior knowledge and experience in use of generative and agentic AI, strong communication skills, interpersonal skills, and expertise in using data to inform strategy and improvement are essential for success in the role.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• Doctoral degree.
• Experience with employer relations, corporate partnerships, or workforce development.
• Track record of building scalable programs that serve diverse student populations, including online and non-traditional students.
• Demonstrated experience with or strong interest in leveraging AI tools for student-employer matching, program scaling, and data analysis.

Department Contact Name and Title

Alicia Rogers, Director of Human Resources

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae / Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

• List of References

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Please select the education / experience that matches your background.
  • Masters degree or higher
  • Bachelors degree and 0-2 years of experience
  • A combination of related education and experience
  • None of the above

For assistance, please contact the Office of Human Resources at [phone].

Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.