Program Manager, Experiential Learning, School of Engineering

Socket.dev; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The Experiential Learning Program Manager at Santa Clara University connects students, faculty, and external partners to deliver high‑impact, hands‑on learning through co‑op, internship, capstone, and practicum programs in the School of Engineering.

The role leads program development, coordination, and continuous improvement, guiding student journeys, managing partnerships, and aligning experiences with academic goals, industry needs, and career readiness outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, education, business, or a related field required.
• 2–4 years of experience in program coordination, career services, higher education, or industry partnerships.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work across diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Experience supervising student workers or junior staff.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and operational resources.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operations of co-op, internship, undergraduate and graduate capstone and practicum programs.
• Serve as a key connection point for the Responsible AI Innovation Hub in support of the MS AI program.
• Manage timelines, processes, and communications related to student placements and project execution.
• Maintain systems for tracking student participation, outcomes, and partner engagement.
• Ensure alignment with academic requirements and program policies.
• Manage a program budget, tracking expenditures and ensuring alignment with financial guidelines and School priorities.
• Supervise and mentor student workers supporting program operations.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Multitasking

Supervising

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, education, or business

Job description

Position Title:

Program Manager, Experiential Learning, School of Engineering

Position Type:

Regular

Hiring Range:

$33.94 - $40.72 per hour; Compensation will be based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.

Pay Frequency:

Hourly

Position Summary

The Experiential Learning Program Manager plays a central role in connecting students, faculty, and external partners to deliver high-impact, hands-on learning opportunities. This position leads the development, coordination, and continuous improvement of co-op, internship, industry-partnered undergraduate and graduate capstone and practicum programs — ensuring alignment with academic goals, industry needs, and student career readiness.

The Manager serves as a key bridge between academic programs and external engagement, facilitating partnerships, guiding students through their experiential learning journeys, and building and managing a vibrant ecosystem of industry and community collaborations. Through this work, the Manager directly advances student success and strengthens the School’s capacity to prepare graduates for the future workforce.

Key Responsibilities

Program Coordination and Operations

• Manage the day-to-day operations of co-op, internship, undergraduate and graduate capstone and practicum programs across the School of Engineering
• Serve as a key connection point for the Responsible AI Innovation Hub in support of the School's Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (MS AI) program
• Manage timelines, processes, and communications related to student placements and project execution
• Maintain systems for tracking student participation, outcomes, and partner engagement
• Ensure alignment with academic requirements and program policies
• Manage a program budget, tracking expenditures and ensuring alignment with financial guidelines and School priorities
• Supervise and mentor student workers supporting program operations, including assigning tasks, providing feedback, and managing schedules

Industry and Partner Engagement

• Lead the development and maintenance of relationships with industry, nonprofit, and public-sector partners
• Source and scope experiential learning opportunities aligned with program goals
• Coordinate partner onboarding, communication, and project logistics
• Drive outreach efforts that expand the network of external collaborators

Student Support and Advising

• Advise and guide students through application, placement, and participation processes
• Partner with the Career Center to design and deliver resources that strengthen professional readiness, including resume review, interview preparation, and workplace expectations
• Coordinate with faculty leads of the industry-partnered undergraduate and graduate capstone and practicum programs to manage project scoping and partner engagement, and support students through key project milestones
• Monitor student progress and proactively resolve challenges during placements or projects

Faculty Collaboration

• Serve as the primary point of contact for faculty to align capstone and practicum projects with curricular objectives and ensure a cohesive student experience
• Lead coordination with faculty to manage and communicate with external partners related to student projects

Assessment and Continuous Improvement

• Design and lead data collection and analysis of program outcomes, student experiences, and partner feedback
• Develop and present reports to inform program improvements and demonstrate impact

Events and Programming

• Plan, manage, and execute events such as employer information sessions, undergraduate capstone and graduate practicum showcases, and networking opportunities
• Design and facilitate workshops and programming that enhance student career readiness and engagement
• Manage event budgets and vendor relationships

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, education, business, or a related field required.
• 2–4 years of experience in program coordination, career services, higher education, or industry partnerships
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work across diverse stakeholders
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Experience supervising student workers or junior staff
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and operational resources

Preferred

• Experience working with engineering students and/or experiential learning programs (co‑ops, internships, capstone, or practicum)
• Familiarity with employer engagement and partnership development
• Experience with data tracking, reporting, and program assessment

Key Competencies

• Relationship building and stakeholder engagement
• Attention to detail and operational excellence
• Student-centered mindset with a focus on career readiness
• Ability to translate between academic and industry contexts
• Initiative and adaptability in a fast-paced environment

Telecommute

Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy or related conditions, reproductive health decision making, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX website at https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/.

Clery Notice of Availability

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please visit the Campus Safety Services website. To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at [phone]. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Consistent with its obligations under the law, Santa Clara University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants who wish to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources ADA Team at [e-mail] or by phone at [phone]. Please note: This contact information is intended for accommodation requests only. Resumes or inquiries about application status sent to this inbox will not be reviewed or forwarded. For resumes or questions regarding application status, please contact [e-mail].