Academic Internship Site Development Specialist

Unit:Office of the Provost

Department:Academic Internships Office,Academic Affairs

The Office of the Provost is dedicated to ensuring a safe, high-quality and engaged learning experience for all students; ensuring that the institution recruits and retains talented faculty and provides the resources necessary to promote and support world‑class teaching, scholarship, research and creative expression; and maintaining a strong commitment to the global engagement of students, faculty and staff that transforms lives and communities.

Reporting to the inaugural Director of the VCU Academic Internships Office in VCU’s University College, the Academic Internship Site Development Specialist (Specialist) will be part of a team responsible for sourcing, developing and managing a robust network of academic internship sites. The role combines research, outreach and relationship building on behalf of VCU.

• Identify, recruit, and onboard new internship sites that align with academic programs and student career pathways.

• Engage with employers, community organizations, and alumni to promote collaboration in hosting credit‑bearing internships.

• Represent the Academic Internships Office at outreach events, employer round tables, and professional meetings.

• Maintain strong, ongoing relationships with approved internship sites to ensure high‑quality learning experiences.

• Provide consultation and resources to site supervisors on developing meaningful learning objectives and mentoring interns.

• Support the identification and resolution of site‑related challenges in collaboration with faculty, students, and community partners.

• Vet and support the approval of internship sites in accordance with university standards and risk management policies.

• Support development and execution of placement agreements, learning contracts, and partnership documentation.

• Aid in developing internship site orientations, training, and other resource needs for success.

• Contribute to the development of forms, processes, and other foundational infrastructure needed to support the work of site development.

• Responsible for creating innovative new programs, services, or practices

• Manages and executes specialized projects or processes

• Institutional Representation:
  Serve on university committees, task forces, or working groups as needed to advance institutional goals related to the department of Academic Affairs.

• Other Duties as Assigned:
  Perform additional responsibilities as requested to support the effective functioning of the Academic Internships Office and the broader academic mission.

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and sustain partnerships with diverse stakeholders.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

• Comfort with technology platforms for relationship management, data tracking, and communication.

• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.

• Experience in internship coordination or experiential learning within a higher education context.

• Familiarity with regulatory standards, site agreements, and risk management for academic internships.

• Knowledge of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) competencies and REAL/experiential learning frameworks.

The Office of the Provost…