Program Manager, Experiential Learning, School of Engineering

Santa Clara University; Santa Clara, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 47,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Santa Clara University seeks a Program Manager for Experiential Learning in the School of Engineering to coordinate co-ops, internships, and capstone programs, bridging academia and external partners. You will guide students through placements, manage timelines, and ensure alignment with academic goals and industry needs.

The role involves developing partnerships, overseeing budgets, mentoring student workers, and collaborating with faculty to enhance career readiness and practical learning

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 across diverse stakeholders.
• Experience supervising student workers or junior staff.
• 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 across the School of Engineering.
• Serve as a 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.
• Oversee program budget and ensure alignment with financial guidelines.
• Supervise and mentor student workers supporting program operations.

Skills

Organizational skills

Project management

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Multitasking

Student supervision

Budget management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, education, or related field

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:HourlyPosition SummaryThe 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 ResponsibilitiesProgram 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 QualificationsRequired* 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 resourcesPreferred* 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