Director, PhD Industry Partnerships & Career Development

Duke University; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 64,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University seeks a Director, Student Development & External Partnerships to shape career pathways for Ph.D. students by creating innovative, industry-connected learning experiences beyond academia.

You will connect doctoral talent with leading employers and collaborate with Duke's Graduate School and external partners to grow experiential opportunities. You will lead a portfolio of programs, manage instructors, secure sponsorships, and drive metrics to measure impact, aiming to expand

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred (MBA, JD, MS).
• Five+ years experience at the intersection of university and corporate partnerships, negotiating agreements/grants (finance sector/university experience preferred).
• Experience creating or leading experiential learning programs for graduate students or advanced learners.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and continuously improve a portfolio of experiential professional development opportunities for PhD students pursuing careers beyond academia.
• Develop a cohesive program pathway including events, panels, site visits, internships, projects, and microcredentials.
• Establish annual program goals, priorities, and success measures.
• Deliver programs and recruit/train/instruct staff.
• Serve as liaison to employers, foundations, and other partners; expand career opportunities for Duke doctoral students.
• Collaborate with campus stakeholders to secure experiential opportunities and sponsor partnerships.
• Plan and execute high-impact events and industry showcases; represent Duke at conferences.

Skills

Strategic relationship building

Stakeholder engagement

Written communication

Verbal communication

Presentation skills

Project management

Organizational skills

Multi-task prioritization

Data analysis

Continuous improvement

Diversity and inclusion

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree (MBA/JD/MS)

Job description

Duke University seeks a Director, Student Development & External Partnerships to shape career pathways for Ph.D. students by creating innovative, industry-connected learning experiences beyond academia.

You will connect doctoral talent with leading employers and collaborate with Duke's Graduate School and external partners to grow experiential opportunities. You will lead a portfolio of programs, manage instructors, secure sponsorships, and drive metrics to measure impact, aiming to expand