Director, External Partnerships & Experiential Learning

Position: Director, External Partnerships & Experiential Learning - Clark University
Job Description:

The School of Climate, Environment, and Society (CES) at Clark University seeks an experienced and collaborative leader to serve as Director of External Partnerships & Experiential Learning. Reporting to the CES Dean and working closely with school academic leadership, faculty, and the CES Director of Career Development, the Director will serve as the point person for advancing the school's high impact partnerships and school-wide programs facilitating experiential learning.

This position requires a blend of project management, logistical coordination, and strategic planning, as well as strong organizational and interpersonal skills, and enthusiasm for the CES mission.

Experience with experiential learning initiatives, either within higher education or partner organizations, and deep understanding of the climate and sustainability landscape is strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities:

External Partnership Cultivation & Management

* In consultation with the CES Dean and other university stakeholders, develop strategy for identifying and cultivating high-impact partnerships that deliver outcomes against multiple CES priorities (e.g., research, student outcomes, fundraising).

* Lead the implementation of partnership cultivation strategy including coordinating university stakeholders, tracking progress and managing information flows.

* Engage directly with potential partners to showcase opportunities for collaboration with CES courses, faculty research, student internships. Support CES Dean in Dean's engagement with partners.

* Support the CES Dean in cultivation and management of CES External Advisory Council, including relationship management, meeting coordination and staffing the council.

CES Experiential Learning Strategies & Systems

* Under the guidance of the CES Dean and Associate Dean, coordinate implementation of strategies to foster strong experiential learning opportunities for CES undergraduate students and CES graduate students in professionally-oriented programs.

* Work with the CES Director of Career Development and related university-wide staff and programs to integrate external partners with CES experiential learning opportunities including POP (Problems of Practice) classes, internship opportunities and faculty research and applied projects.

* Support the CES Dean and Associate Dean in administering experiential learning programs including CES internship program and Global Learning Collaboratives.

Project Management, Fundraising & Grant Support

* Support the CES Dean and faculty in developing funding proposals to foundations, governments, corporations and individuals.

* For larger and more complex funding opportunities, serve as CES administrative focal point for proposal development, including investigating and summarizing proposal requirements, convening planning sessions, developing draft proposals, and preparing documents for submission.

* Provide administrative support for CES Transdisciplinary Research and Action Clusters (C-TRAC) program to advance ideation, partner engagement, and concept and proposal development.

Requirements:

Education

* Bachelors in Environmental Studies/Science, Sustainability, Climate or Environmental Policy, Public Policy, International Development, Global Studies, Community Development, Sociology, Anthropology, or a related field required; master's or other graduate degree strongly preferred.

* A relevant graduate degree may substitute for up to 2-3 years of required professional experience.

Professional Experience

* 7-10 years of progressively responsible professional experience, ideally in climate, environment, conservation, global or community development, social change, or a closely related field.

* Demonstrated track record of building, managing, and sustaining institutional or organizational partnerships within these fields.

Partnership & Relationship Management

* Proven ability to initiate, grow, and steward multi-stakeholder relationships, including universities, NGOs, government agencies, or foundations.

* 2+ years of experience working directly with higher-education institutions (e.g., serving as a partner, collaborator, or internal university staff member) strongly preferred.

Project & Team Management

* Minimum 2 years of direct project management experience, including setting timelines, managing deliverables, and coordinating implementation across teams or departments.

* Experience leading cross-disciplinary teams or initiatives (e.g., involving faculty, researchers, administrators, or external partners).

* Demonstrated ability to manage budgets (e.g., tracking expenditures, forecasting needs) and contribute to grant proposal development (narratives, budgets, or partner coordination).

Interpersonal & Leadership Skills

* Strong emotional intelligence with demonstrated ability to navigate sensitive situations, facilitate consensus, and de-escalate conflict when needed.

* Evidence of effective communication and deep listening in prior supervisory, partnership, or…