Director of Experiential Learning & Engagement

Position Summary

The Director of Experiential Learning and Engagement provides leadership for the development alignment and advancement of high-impact innovative community and industry partnerships supporting the universitys mission to drive student success research excellence and regional transformation. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Community Partnerships within the Office of Strategic Partnerships this role is responsible for cultivating and managing deep reciprocal partnerships with community business civic nonprofit and public sector organizations with a focus on measurable outcomes and place-based impact.

This position complements the Offices outreach and engagement efforts by ensuring partnerships are strategically aligned sustained and translated into meaningful outcomes for both the university and the communities it serves. Working closely with community engaged faculty this role is critical to advancing the universitys position as a trusted responsive and collaborative community partner and regional anchor institution. By deepening strategic partnerships and aligning them with institutional priorities the Director of Experiential Learning and Engagement ensures that engagement efforts lead to sustainable measurable outcomes that benefit students partners and the broader community.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Engagement

• Identify cultivate and manage high-impact multi-year partnerships with community-based organizations businesses and regional stakeholders
• Align partnerships with institutional priorities including student success workforce development and community-engaged learning and research
• Serve as a liaison between the university with a particular focus on faculty and key community partners

Community Impact & Place-Based Strategy

• Lead the identification of sites and projects in support of university-wide initiatives for all students to have experiential learning opportunities prior to graduating
• Lead the development and implementation of place-based initiatives advancing community well-being and regional development
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to co-create solutions addressing community-identified priorities
• Identify opportunities for the university faculty to contribute to economic civic and social impact in the region

Institutional Alignment & Collaboration

• Partner with colleges academic units and administrative offices to connect partnerships with community-engaged teaching research and service
• Support faculty and staff in developing and sustaining community-engaged learning initiatives for students
• Facilitate cross-campus coordination to maximize institutional engagement with community partners

Assessment Metrics & Reporting

• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to partnerships engagement and community impact
• Establish systems for measuring partnership outcomes including qualitative and quantitative indicators
• Prepare reports and impact narratives for university leadership external stakeholders and strategic initiatives

Leadership & Representation

• Represent the university in community civic and regional partnership settings
• Serve as a convener to bring together stakeholders across sectors
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the Community Partnerships Unit and the greater Office of Strategic Partnerships

Minimum Qualifications

• Masters degree in higher education public administration nonprofit management or a related field
• Minimum of 57 years of progressively responsible experience in community engagement partnerships or external relations
• Demonstrated experience building and sustaining partnerships across sectors
• Strong understanding of community-engaged work in higher education or a related field

Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelors degree.
Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate ( is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required not to exceed:
(a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
(b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelors degree;
(c) Six years of direct experience for a masters degree;
(d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
(e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure certification or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D in higher education public administration or a related field
• Experience with community-engaged learning and research or place-based initiatives
• Familiarity with frameworks such as asset-based community development or anchor institution strategy
• Experience working in or with various communities faculty and stakeholder groups
• Demonstrated ability to measure and communicate impact

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking and systems-level perspective
• Relationship building and stakeholder engagement
• Collaboration and cross-functional leadership
• Data-informed decision-making and assessment
• Communication and storytelling for impact

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a resume cover letter and a list of three professional references.

This position description is designed to outline primary duties and responsibilities but is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all tasks. Other duties may be assigned as needed.