Director of Work-Based Learning Innovation - University of North Texas System

Title: Director of Work-Based Learning Innovation

Employee Classification: Program Director

Campus: University of North Texas - Dallas

Division: DAL-Academic Aff & Stdnt Success

SubDivision-Department: DAL-Office of the Provost

Department: DAL-Center Socioeconomic Mobility-500700

Job Location: Dallas

Salary: Commensurate with experience

FTE: 1.000000

Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible

About Us - Values Overview:

Department Summary

The University of North Texas at Dallas launched the Center for Socioeconomic Mobility through Education (CSME) in 2022. The CSME’s purpose is to accelerate socioeconomic mobility by advancing well-being, wisdom, and wealth through individual and collective learning in southern Dallas County. Housed within the Academic Affairs Division, the primary focus is on serving UNT Dallas students; the Center also collaborates with partners to improve outcomes in our region.

Position Overview

The Director of Work-Based Learning Innovation is a critical role within the Center for Socioeconomic Mobility through Education (CSME) at the University of North Texas at Dallas (UNT Dallas). The Director of Work-Based Learning Innovation is responsible for facilitating initiatives related to enhancing work-based learning (WBL) and career readiness through programmatic activities such as course design and co-curricular activities in order to make a meaningful difference for students’ post-graduation employment. The role requires continuous learning about emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), and associated implications for how these can be leveraged for improving career readiness for UNTD students. Reporting to and closely collaborating with the Executive Director of CSME, the Director of Work-Based Learning Innovation interacts with faculty as well as other offices within UNT Dallas and a variety of Dallas-area institutional partners invested in economic mobility.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in related field and five years' of closely related professional experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to conceptualize, plan and organize multiple programs effectively while maintaining strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work on complex and confidential tasks utilizing judgment, tact, and resourcefulness.
• Ability to inspire and influence others through effective communication aligned with shared goals.
• Knowledge about effective practices for facilitating learning of career competencies, including how emerging technologies can be utilized to facilitate deeper learning relevant to diverse work contexts.
• Skill in developing and maintaining good working relationships.
• Ability to supervise and coach others.
• Strong written communication, oral, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, especially Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.
• Ability to work under pressure, to adjust to constant changes, to handle multiple tasks, and to coordinate the work of others.
• Ability to work in a “start-up” culture, with ability to problem solve independently when needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree strongly preferred, Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of highly responsible program planning & execution experience, or any equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.

Required License/Registration/Certifications

• N/A

Job Duties:

• Values-Driven Leadership
  • Lead by example in living the UNT System core values in relation to self-management and interacting with internal and external stakeholders through the lens of accelerating upward mobility.
• Strategy Development
  • Lead the design, execution, and iterative improvement of current and new CSME programs focused on developing work competencies of UNTD students in coordination with student leadership programs across campus to support internship and post-graduation career success.
  • Conceptualize initiative ideas based on research and emerging promising practices, and understanding learner needs and supporting fundraising and grant-writing to bring ideas into reality.
  • Develop increasing expertise in how generative AI, simulations, and other technologies can enhance learning for career preparation – both general career skills (e.g., NACE competencies, power skills, character) and discipline-specific contexts (in collaboration with faculty).
  • Support Executive Director to identify the highest impact levers for work readiness and define strategy so that CSME can best collaborate with partners to achieve maximum collective impact. 
• Initiative Management
  • Engage faculty and staff in systematically piloting innovations for impactful work-based learning, including emerging initiatives related to simulations and AI-related technologies.
  • Design and deliver engaging sessions and workshops for students on career readiness in the Trailblazers Ambassador Program.
  • Collaborate to produce action research that builds a shared understanding of issues and emerging themes in work-based learning and career readiness.
  • Manage student workers (part-time & interns), program-related contractors, and future program staff.
  • Oversee development and improvement of program models that incorporate the science of learning and change management theories in order to increase behavior change and associated improvements in economic mobility outcomes.
  • Develop program evaluation and improvement processes in alignment with program outcomes.
  • Support communication regarding programs through program summaries, presentations, and social media.
  • Support Executive Director in responsibly managing program budget and finances. 
• Stakeholder Engagement
  • Build and maintain authentic and trusting relationships with all CSME stakeholders, and support staff in doing the same.
  • Support Executive Director as needed in cultivating external partnerships. 

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties or job may change over time in accordance with the ongoing needs of the Center. 

Work Schedule:

Monday – Friday full-time, in-person.

Driving University Vehicle:

No

Security Sensitive:

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions:

N/A

Benefits:

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement:

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit -- and takes actions to prevent -- discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence) and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities and employment practices. The University of North Texas System immediately investigates complaints of discrimination and takes remedial action when appropriate. The University of North Texas System also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist or participate in an investigative proceeding or hearing.