Director of Experiential Learning and Post-Secondary Readiness
Title: Director of Experiential Learning and Post-Secondary Readiness
Assignment: 12-month; Full-Time
Salary: $180,000- $210,000
Location: Northfield and Winnetka Campuses
Reports to: Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction
Supervises: Experiential Learning Field Coordinator, Experiential Learning Liaisons, Senior Project Coordinators, SILC Coordinator, Design Your New Trier Experience Coordinators, Internship Instructor(s)
Position Overview:
The Director of Experiential Learning and Post-Secondary Readiness will provide strategic and operational leadership for district-wide programming designed to provide students with meaningful, real-world learning experiences and pathways to post-secondary opportunities. The Director will lead efforts to expand experiential and career-connected learning, foster partnerships with community, industry, and higher education, and strengthen students’ understanding of career and post-secondary options.
This position will focus on equitable access, practical experiences, innovation, and the development of sustainable and scalable programming aligned with New Trier’s 2030 strategic plan.
Leaders at New Trier possess the skills and dispositions described in the New Trier Candidate Profile.
Qualifications:
- Master’s or advanced degree in relevant field
- Illinois Professional Educator License with General Administrative or Principal endorsement
- Minimum of three years’ 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
- A 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
- Demonstration of collaborative leadership
- Illinois State Board of Education Work-Based Learning Designation preferred
Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership for Experiential Learning and Career Pathways
- Serve as the strategic and operational leader of the Center for Experiential Learning, advancing a continuum of experiential learning opportunities, career-connected learning, and postsecondary readiness for all students.
- Develop and implement a multi-year vision and strategic framework for career exploration and experiential learning that supports long-term sustainability, scalability, and alignment with district strategic initiatives and ISBE requirements.
- Provide leadership and support to academic departments in developing experiential learning opportunities, career pathways, and programming initiatives that connect curriculum to postsecondary readiness.
- Advance equitable access to experiential learning, career exploration, and postsecondary pathways through collaboration with academic departments and district programs, including Special Education, EL, the New Trier Learning Center, and the Transition Center.
- Provide professional learning, resources, and consultation to faculty and staff regarding experiential learning, career readiness, and industry partnerships.
- Partner with district and departmental leaders to expand dual credit, credentialing, and postsecondary opportunities through college, university, and industry partnerships.
Center for Experiential Learning Leadership and Operations
- Develop and manage the logistical, procedural, and operational structures necessary to support experiential learning programs, community partnerships, student placements, and off-campus learning experiences.
- Supervise, support, and evaluate the Experiential Learning Field Coordinator and other assigned staff, ensuring effective implementation of experiential learning programs and engagement of community partners.
- Provide administrative leadership for the Community Partnership Council and Experiential Learning Team, coordinating priorities and supporting the implementation of key initiatives.
- Manage the Center for Experiential Learning budget and resources, and oversee grant, fundraising, and partnership investment efforts in collaboration with the New Trier Educational Foundation.
- Oversee the collection, analysis, and reporting of program data, including student participation in work-based learning, internship outcomes, Career Pathway Endorsements, and other measures of program effectiveness.
- Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of systems that support student reflection and documentation of experiential learning through the Postsecondary Portfolio.
Community Partnerships and External Relations
- Lead the development and stewardship of relationships with business, industry, nonprofit, higher education, and community partners to expand experiential and career-connected learning opportunities for students.
- Collaborate with district departments, community partners, industry representatives, and postsecondary institutions to expand career pathways and support student engagement in authentic learning experiences.
- Oversee the development, maintenance, and strategic growth of a district-wide database of community partners and experiential learning opportunities.
- Lead the collection, analysis, and tracking of partner feedback and engagement data to assess the effectiveness of partnerships, identify opportunities for growth, and inform continuous program improvement.
- Lead the Experiential Learning Team to cultivate sponsor relationships, strengthen community partnerships, and expand authentic learning opportunities for students.
- Represent New Trier High School and the Center for Experiential Learning within the community.
Experiential Learning Programs and Student Opportunities
- Oversee the development and alignment of a continuum of experiential learning opportunities that support 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 internship, capstone, and work-based learning experiences extend and enrich classroom instruction while aligning with curricular goals and student learning outcomes.
- Coordinate with clubs, programs, and capstone courses to integrate career exploration, work-based learning, and experiential learning opportunities throughout the student experience.
- Develop and coordinate student-facing career exploration seminars, speaker series, workforce engagement opportunities, and pathway awareness events.
Communications, Outreach, and Engagement
- Develop and implement outreach initiatives for students, families, community members, and industry partners that promote the mission and impact of the Center for Experiential Learning.
- Lead efforts to document, promote, and communicate student success stories, program outcomes, and community partnerships to increase awareness and engagement with the Center for Experiential Learning.
- Oversee the planning and execution of community engagement and student experiential learning recognition events.
Other
- Assumes responsibility for their own professional growth and development.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
FLSA: Exempt