Director of Experiential Learning and Post-Secondary Readiness

New Trier Township HSD 203 • Northfield, IL

2d

About The Position

The Director of Experiential Learning and Post-Secondary Readiness provides strategic and operational leadership for district-wide programming that gives students meaningful, real-world learning experiences and pathways to post-secondary opportunities. The Director expands experiential and career-connected learning, builds partnerships with community, industry, and higher education, and strengthens students’ understanding of career and post-secondary options. The work emphasizes equitable access, practical experiences, innovation, and sustainable, scalable programming aligned with New Trier’s 2030 strategic plan.

The Director leads the Center for Experiential Learning and oversees its staff, programs, operations, budget, partnerships, and assessment. The role develops a multi-year vision for experiential learning and career pathways; supports academic departments and district programs in creating learning opportunities; and establishes systems for student placements, off-campus learning, reflection, and documentation. The Director also develops community relationships, communicates program outcomes, and coordinates outreach and recognition events.

The position is a 12-month, full-time role serving the Northfield and Winnetka campuses and reports to the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. It supervises the Experiential Learning Field Coordinator, Experiential Learning Liaisons, Senior Project Coordinators, SILC Coordinator, Design Your New Trier Experience Coordinators, and Internship Instructor(s).

Requirements

• Master’s or advanced degree in a relevant field.
• Illinois Professional Educator License with General Administrative or Principal endorsement.
• At least three years of experience in school leadership and teaching experience.
• Proven experience in program development, community engagement, and external partnerships.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with industry, higher education, and community partners.
• Passion for equity, innovation, and developing career and post-secondary pathways for diverse learners.
• Knowledge of trends and evidence-based practices in career technical education and post-secondary readiness.
• Exemplary interpersonal and effective communication skills.
• Demonstrated collaborative leadership.

Nice To Haves

• Illinois State Board of Education Work-Based Learning Designation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the strategic and operational leader of the Center for Experiential Learning, advancing experiential learning, career-connected learning, and post-secondary readiness for all students.
• Develop and implement a multi-year vision and strategic framework for career exploration and experiential learning aligned with district initiatives and ISBE requirements.
• Support academic departments in developing experiential learning opportunities, career pathways, and programming that connects curriculum to post-secondary readiness.
• Advance equitable access to experiential learning, career exploration, and post-secondary pathways in collaboration with academic departments and programs, including Special Education, EL, the New Trier Learning Center, and the Transition Center.
• Provide professional learning, resources, and consultation to faculty and staff on experiential learning, career readiness, and industry partnerships.
• Partner with district and departmental leaders to expand dual credit, credentialing, and post-secondary opportunities through college, university, and industry partnerships.
• Develop and manage logistical, procedural, and operational structures for experiential learning programs, community partnerships, student placements, and off-campus learning experiences.
• Supervise, support, and evaluate assigned staff, including the Experiential Learning Field Coordinator, and support effective program implementation and community-partner engagement.
• Provide administrative leadership for the Community Partnership Council and Experiential Learning Team, coordinating priorities and supporting key initiatives.
• Manage the Center for Experiential Learning budget and resources, and oversee grant, fundraising, and partnership investment efforts with the New Trier Educational Foundation.
• Oversee collection, analysis, and reporting of program data, including work-based learning participation, internship outcomes, Career Pathway Endorsements, and other effectiveness measures.
• Lead development, implementation, and evaluation of systems for student reflection and documentation of experiential learning through the Postsecondary Portfolio.
• Develop and steward relationships with business, industry, nonprofit, higher education, and community partners to expand experiential and career-connected learning.
• Collaborate with district departments, community partners, industry representatives, and post-secondary institutions to expand career pathways and support authentic student learning experiences.
• Oversee development, maintenance, and strategic growth of a district-wide database of community partners and experiential learning opportunities.
• Track and analyze partner feedback and engagement data to assess partnership effectiveness, identify growth opportunities, and inform program improvement.
• Lead the Experiential Learning Team in cultivating sponsor relationships, strengthening partnerships, and expanding authentic learning opportunities.
• Represent New Trier High School and the Center for Experiential Learning within the community.
• Oversee development and alignment of experiential learning opportunities supporting exploration, skill development, career-connected learning, leadership, internships, and capstone experiences.
• Establish and oversee internships, job shadowing, work-based learning, capstone experiences, and other career-connected learning programs, including application, placement, and evaluation processes.
• Lead Experiential Learning Liaisons to ensure internships, capstones, and work-based learning extend and enrich classroom instruction and align with curricular goals and student learning outcomes.
• Coordinate with clubs, programs, and capstone courses to integrate career exploration, work-based learning, and experiential learning throughout the student experience.
• Develop and coordinate student-facing career exploration seminars, speaker series, workforce engagement opportunities, and pathway-awareness events.
• Develop and implement outreach for students, families, community members, and industry partners to promote the Center for Experiential Learning.
• Document, promote, and communicate student success stories, program outcomes, and community partnerships to increase awareness and engagement.
• Oversee planning and execution of community engagement and student experiential learning recognition events.
• Assume responsibility for professional growth and development.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director