Director, Student Professional Development and External Partnerships

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 Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality, curiosity, and the unique experiences each person brings to our community. As the Director, Student Development & External Partnerships, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the professional futures of Duke Ph.D. students by creating innovative pathways that connect academic excellence with meaningful careers beyond academia.

You'll join The Graduate School's Graduate Student Affairs team, working closely with the Senior Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Professional Development, and collaborating with colleagues across Duke and with industry leaders, nonprofit organizations, foundations, alumni, and faculty to expand career opportunities and experiential learning for doctoral students.

Be Bold.

This is an opportunity to build and lead a transformative portfolio of career-connected learning experiences that prepare doctoral students to thrive in today's evolving workforce. You'll serve as a strategic connector between Duke's exceptional doctoral talent and organizations seeking innovative thinkers, while helping shape the future of graduate professional development.

What You'll Do

Build and Lead Duke's Ph.D. Industry Engagement Initiative (35%)

• Design, implement, and continuously improve a comprehensive portfolio of experiential professional development opportunities for Ph.D. students pursuing careers beyond academia.
• Develop a cohesive pathway of programs that includes:
  • Career exploration events and industry panels
  • Employer site visits and job-shadowing opportunities
  • Industry-sponsored project courses
  • Specialized microcredential programs
  • Internships and experiential learning placements
• Establish annual program goals, priorities, and success measures.
• Deliver selected programs directly while recruiting, training, and managing instructors and program staff.

Build Strategic External Partnerships (25%)

• Serve as The Graduate School's primary liaison to employers, foundations, nonprofit organizations, and other strategic partners.
• Develop and maintain long-term relationships that expand career opportunities for Duke doctoral students.
• Collaborate closely with the Office of External Partnerships, Career Center, Alumni Engagement and Development, Graduate Board of Visitors, and other campus stakeholders.
• Secure commitments for experiential learning opportunities, project sponsorships, internships, and co-developed educational programs.
• Support faculty members in leveraging their external networks to create innovative student development opportunities.

Drive Outreach, Communications, and Signature Events (25%)

• Increase awareness and participation in professional development programming across the graduate student community.
• Partner with communications teams to develop compelling messaging and maintain an engaging web presence.
• Plan and execute high-impact events, including:
  • Industry and partner showcases
  • Fellowship and student recognition events
  • Project-course presentations and celebrations
• Represent Duke at regional and national conferences focused on doctoral career development and industry engagement.

Measure Impact and Advance Continuous Improvement (10%)

• Design and implement program evaluation strategies.
• Assess participants’ satisfaction, skill development, career readiness, and long-term employment outcomes.
• Track development in key competencies, including:
  • Executive presence
  • Team leadership
  • Workflow agility
  • Effective use of AI as a thought partner
• Produce annual reports highlighting program outcomes, student impact, and partner engagement.
• Use data and insights to enhance future programming and support investment opportunities.

Contribute to Team Success (5%)

• Collaborate across Graduate Student Affairs initiatives.
• Participate in special projects and other duties that support the mission and strategic priorities of The Graduate School.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree preferred (MBA, JD, MS).
• Five or more years of experience at the intersection of university and corporate partnerships, negotiating agreements/grants (preferably with experience in the financial sector and at a university).

Preferred Qualifications

OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Doctoral degree.
• Experience creating or leading experiential learning programs for graduate students or advanced learners.
• Knowledge of career pathways for Ph.D.-level talent in industry, nonprofit, foundation, or related sectors.
• Experience with program assessment, evaluation, and outcomes reporting.
• Minimum of three years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Program development and administration
  • Employer or industry relations
  • Career services
  • Workforce development
  • Related professional fields
  • Experience managing external partnerships and coordinating or supervising staff, instructors, or project teams.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Strategic relationship building and stakeholder engagement.
• Outstanding written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Capacity to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to analyze data, evaluate program effectiveness, and drive continuous improvement.
• Leadership skills that support coaching, mentoring, and team development.
• Commitment to expanding access and opportunity for diverse graduate student populations.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with students, faculty, administrators, donors, and external partners.

Choose Duke.

At Duke, you'll find more than a job. You'll find an opportunity to shape the future of graduate education, empower exceptional doctoral students, and strengthen connections between higher education and the broader workforce.

As part of a globally recognized institution known for excellence in research, teaching, and innovation, you'll collaborate with colleagues who are committed to making a lasting impact. Your work will help doctoral students discover meaningful career pathways while building partnerships that extend Duke's influence far beyond campus.

Anticipated Pay Range:

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $63,948.00 to USD $109,786.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: [e-mail]; phone: [phone]).