Director, Civic Innovation and Experiential Learning

Drexel University • Philadelphia, PA

65d • $75,200 - $112,790

About The Position

The Director for Civic Innovation and Experiential Learning is responsible for developing communicating, and executing a comprehensive strategy and providing leadership for key strategic outcomes for the University that: 1) increase, enhance, and quantify experiential learning opportunities for Drexel students; 2) support civic and experiential curricular development; 3) support and develop meaningful external partnerships that increase experiential opportunities for Drexel students; and 4) foster a culture of student civic engagement as experiential learning at Drexel. Based in the Office of University & Community Partnerships(UCP), this position is responsible for overseeing staff, students, programs and fundraising to maintain external support for Civic Innovation and Experiential Learning initiatives. The Director will work across UCP's centers, programs and initiatives. The Director will partner with stakeholders across the academic, student life and administrative units to create and foster cross-discipline, cross-unit collaborations that promote Drexel's student-centered mission and commitment to civic engagement and align with its strategic priorities. The Civic Innovation portfolio consists of programs and initiatives that connect student experiential learning with community identified priorities

Requirements

• Minimum of a Master's Degree or the equivalent combination of education and work experience. (Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information.)
• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership/management experience in higher education, including experience in experiential learning, community engaged scholarship, service learning, student leadership or community engagement.
• Demonstrated record of fundraising to develop and support programs and initiatives.
• Accomplished record of program development and assessment.
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing and promoting a culture of belonging.
• Demonstrated record of building trust and meaningful collaborative connections across internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and synthesize feedback (internal and external, formal and informal) into the planning process, driving innovation and improvement to meet objectives.
• Exceptional interpersonal, project management, organizational, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to identify trends, shape new programs, and innovate within the field of civic engagement.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends to support events and internal efforts.

Nice To Haves

• Terminal degree.
• 15 years of relevant experience.
• Accomplished record of supporting community-based or service learning curriculum development in higher education.
• Proven experience in community-engaged scholarship.

Responsibilities

• Program Development and Management:
• Design, implement, and oversee experiential learning programs such as civic engagement co-ops, service-learning projects, civic study abroad, and student leadership.
• Oversee the student organization relationships across UCP.
• Develop and support systems to assess the quality and impact of programs, using data to continuously improve student outcomes and program effectiveness.
• Partner with the Provost's Office to develop systems for longitudinal tracking of impacts of civic engagement experiential learning.
• Oversee and support Civic Innovation programs and initiatives at multiple sites including the Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships, the Lindy Center for Civic Engagement, Writer's Room and partner locations across campus and around the city.
• Collaborate with faculty and academic staff to integrate real-world civic engagement experiences into the curriculum and develop relevant experiential learning opportunities.
• Support and enhance partnerships that allow students to consider global issues locally and abroad through community engagement and develop mechanisms for supporting community partners working with communities from global settings or addressing global issues.
• Partnership Building:
• Serve as the UCP liaison to the University's new Experiential Learning Hub, Steinbright Career Development Center and Office of Global Studies
• Work across academic, student life and administrative units to support the Academic Transformation priorities and implementation.
• Work with external organizations to create meaningful learning opportunities for students.
• Leadership and Team Building:
• As part of the UCP leadership team, facilitate connections to Drexel's civic engagement mission across core teaching and experiential education.
• Support cross functional teams across UCP.
• Sit on University and civic committees.
• Resource Development:
• Partner with senior leadership and Institutional Advancement to realize internal and external funding streams to support experiential learning and civic innovation initiatives.
• Secure and manage gift and grant funding from government agencies, foundations, and corporate sponsors.
• Communications:
• Maintain a level of leadership and visibility within Drexel, the community, and, as appropriate, the broader fields of higher education, and comprehensive community development.
• Support UCP and University marketing and public relations efforts to ensure effective communication of civic engagement as experiential learning programs, and outcomes.
• Leadership and Team Building:
• As part of the UCP leadership team, facilitate connections to Drexel's civic engagement mission across core teaching and experiential education.
• Support cross functional teams across UCP.
• Sit on University and civic committees.

Benefits

• Drexel offers its highly engaged faculty and professional staff a comprehensive and world-class benefits package that includes generous vacation and paid time off as applicable (including civic engagement days), up to an 11% 403(b) Retirement Plan match with immediate vesting, and remote and flexible work options for many roles.
• Our exceptional medical plans include domestic partner and fertility assistance and our award-winning A Healthier U wellness program.
• In addition, faculty and professional staff at Drexel enjoy free tuition for themselves and their dependents for Drexel degree programs, certification, and non-certification programs.
• Drexel also participates in a tuition exchange program for dependents with other higher education institutions.
• For more information on our extensive benefit offerings, please review Drexel's Benefits Brochure.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Industry: Educational Services
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees