📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Associate Director, Experiential Programs & Partnerships
🔹 Company: DePaul University
🔹 Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full time
🔹 Category: Higher Education
🔹 Date Posted: May 1, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days per week on-site)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and expanding experiential programs and industry partnerships to support degree programs
- Managing faculty engagement requests and designing co-curricular programs for student learning and professional development
- Building and maintaining relationships with industry partners to create mutually beneficial collaborations
- Supervising one or more Graduate Assistants/Student Employees
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic planning, relationship-building, and project management skills to succeed.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Developing strategy to identify and source industry partners for experiential engagement across degree programs
✅ Building and maintaining relationships with industry to create mutually beneficial partnerships between the Driehaus College of Business/Kellstadt Graduate School of Business and the business world
✅ Managing timelines and deliverables, ensuring efficient execution of initiatives
✅ Tracking and assessing outcomes, providing updates and data-driven recommendations to leadership
✅ Overseeing MarComm efforts in support of experiential programs and partnerships
✅ Collaborating with faculty to integrate experiential learning components into the curriculum
✅ Serving as a consultant and broker, connecting faculty to industry partners within our experiential network
✅ Designing co-curricular programs that enhance student learning and professional development
✅ Developing resources and implementing tools to enhance students’ ability to succeed in experiential programs and projects
✅ Occasional travel to corporate, employer, and industry sites and/or events required
✅ Work occasional hours outside of normal business hours, inclusive of evenings and/or weekends
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, relationship-building, and project management, with a focus on external relations and business development.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
Experience: Preferred minimum of 5 years experience in a related job discipline, including but not limited to career services, experiential learning initiatives, business development, sales, account/relationship management, and program management.
Required Skills:
- Demonstrated ability to identify, build, and strategically enhance internal and external relationships
- Self-starter, with experience building programs, partnerships, and initiatives from the ground up
- Proven ability to engage with and manage priorities for multiple stakeholders to achieve shared goals
- Ability to be entrepreneurial and navigate evolving priorities
- Experience with the creation, management, and/or utilization of databases in support of customer relationship management
- Strong attention to detail
- Exceptional presentation and pitching skills
- Deep commitment to customer service and the user experience
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in higher education or a related field
- Familiarity with the Chicago business community
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong background in business development, account management, or related fields are likely to be successful in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $68,000.00 to $74,980.00 per year
Benefits:
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Retirement plan matching contribution of 10%
- Tuition waivers for employees and dependents
- Generous paid time off, sick time, holidays, floating holidays, and more!
Working Hours: Full-time position with occasional hours outside of normal business hours, including evenings and weekends
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in higher education. Benefits are comprehensive and competitive for the industry.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Higher Education
Company Size: 51-200 employees
Founded: 1898 (as a Catholic university)
Company Description:
- DePaul University is a private Catholic university in Chicago, Illinois
- It is the largest private university by enrollment in the Midwest and the 12th-largest private university in the United States
- The university offers over 300 undergraduate and graduate programs through 10 colleges and schools
Company Specialties:
- Careers
- Jobs
- Internships
- Interviews
- Portfolios
- Resumes
- Employers
- Employees
- Students
- Alumni
- Opportunities
- Services
- Co-ops
- and Employment
Company Website: https://www.depaul.edu/
ASSUMPTION: DePaul University is a well-established institution with a strong reputation in the Chicago area and beyond. Its size and diverse student body offer ample opportunities for collaboration and growth.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level management
Reporting Structure: Reports to the Director of the Kellstadt Career Management Center
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with a minimum of three days per week on the Loop campus during peak times
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to expand the role's scope and impact based on successful performance
- Opportunities to work with and learn from faculty, industry partners, and other stakeholders
- Possibility to mentor and supervise Graduate Assistants/Student Employees
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the university and the broader higher education sector.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (on-site and remote work)
Office Location(s): 1 E. Jackson, DePaul Center Suite 9500, Chicago, IL 60604, US and 2320 N. Kenmore Ave #192, SAC 192, Chicago, IL 60614, US
Geographic Context:
- Chicago is the third-most populous city in the United States, with a diverse and vibrant business community
- The Loop campus is located in the heart of downtown Chicago, offering easy access to public transportation and various amenities
- The Lincoln Park campus is located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, known for its cultural attractions and recreational opportunities
Work Schedule: Full-time, with occasional hours outside of normal business hours, including evenings and weekends
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement and central location of the campuses provide a flexible and convenient work environment for employees.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- In-person or virtual interview with hiring manager and/or team members
- Final interview with the Director of the Kellstadt Career Management Center
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic planning and problem-solving skills
- Relationship-building and communication skills
- Project management and organizational skills
- Adaptability and entrepreneurial mindset
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience in business development, account management, or related fields
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize skills and experiences that match the required qualifications
- Prepare examples of successful partnerships, projects, or initiatives you've developed and managed in the past
ATS Keywords: Business development, account management, program development, external relations, stakeholder engagement, customer service, presentation skills, data analysis, relationship management, project management, entrepreneurial mindset, attention to detail, collaboration, consultation, networking, supervision
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, with a focus on assessing candidates' strategic planning, relationship-building, and project management skills.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Google Workspace
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with CRM software, project management tools, and Microsoft Office Suite is likely to be beneficial for this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence
- Integrity
- Community
- Respect
- Service
Work Style:
- Collaborative
- Adaptable
- Entrepreneurial
- Data-driven
- Student-centered
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with DePaul University's mission and values?
- How comfortable are you working in a dynamic, evolving environment with multiple stakeholders?
- How do your personal work style and preferences fit with the role's requirements and the university's culture?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who demonstrate a strong fit with DePaul University's values and a collaborative, adaptable work style are likely to be successful in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple priorities and stakeholders simultaneously
- Navigating a large, complex university organization
- Balancing strategic planning with day-to-day project management
- Occasional travel and work outside of normal business hours
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be mitigated with strong organizational skills, adaptability, and effective communication with stakeholders.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on experiential learning and industry partnerships within a higher education setting
- Similar roles in other industries may have a stronger focus on sales or revenue generation, while this role emphasizes collaboration and mutual benefit
- Career progression in this role may involve moving into a director or senior-level position within the university or transitioning into a related role within the higher education sector
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to impact student learning and professional development within a higher education setting.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a new experiential learning program in collaboration with faculty and industry partners
- Expanding an existing industry partnership to include additional experiential engagement opportunities for students
- Managing a large-scale event or conference that brings together students, faculty, and industry professionals
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, collaborative, and project management aspects of the role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the broader strategic vision for the Driehaus College of Business/Kellstadt Graduate School of Business?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does the university support the professional development and growth of employees in this role?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how have previous incumbents approached them?
- How does the university engage with and support its industry partners?
ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate a proactive and strategic approach to understanding the role and the university's priorities.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare examples of successful partnerships, projects, or initiatives you've developed and managed in the past
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
