Director of Cooperative Education and STEM Industry Projects

Xavier University is seeking a dedicated and mission-driven Director of Cooperative Education and STEM Industry Projects to join the office of the Associate Provost for Strategic Initiatives. This role is central to advancing Xavier’s experiential learning and workforce alignment efforts by cultivating and stewarding employer partnerships that expand cooperative education placements, internships, and industry-sponsored student projects for students in engineering-, data-, and technology-related programs.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to help design and scale sustainable experiential learning models that align academic program outcomes with employer talent pipelines, including project-based collaborations modeled after nationally recognized programs such as the Purdue Data Mine.

• Work collaboratively with academic departments, Career Development, Employer Relations, and Continuing Education and Corporate Relations to identify, develop, and steward employer partnerships that support co-ops, internships, and industry-sponsored student projects.
• Proactively engage regional, national, and emerging-industry employers to understand evolving workforce needs and to expand high-quality experiential learning opportunities for students.
• Provide expertise and facilitate collaboration to support the design, expansion, and continuous improvement of discipline-appropriate co-op pathways embedded within academic programs.
• Lead the development and implementation of industry-sponsored student project programs that bring real-world corporate challenges into classroom, laboratory, and project-team environments.
• Collect, analyze, and report data about the programs to inform continuous improvement and strategic decision-making.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, or a closely related STEM field. Master’s degree in a STEM or business-related field preferred
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in experiential learning, employer engagement, workforce development, or higher education–industry partnerships. Experience with cooperative education programs, internships, and/or industry-sponsored academic projects preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and collaborate effectively with academic and external stakeholders
• Familiarity with ABET-accredited programs and experiential learning assessment preferred.

To ensure consideration, interested and qualified candidates must submit a cover letter and resume on Xavier University’s website. Review of applications will begin on May 4, 2026 and will continue until the position closes at the University’s discretion.

Candidates selected for the final stages of the interview process will be asked to provide the names and contact information of three professional references.

Xavier University is part of the 500-year-old Jesuit Catholic tradition of academic excellence in the liberal arts. Guided by our mission and values, we welcome and support members from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. We unreservedly commit to open and free inquiry, deliberately seek out multiple perspectives, and create a campus where everyone feels a sense of belonging. Our campus is located in the vibrant and thriving city of Cincinnati, which has an array of neighborhoods and activities to suit many interests.

Benefits - applies only to full-time positions:

Xavier University offers a wide array of complementary and affordable benefit options to meet the financial, educational, health, and wellness needs of you and your family. Eligibility varies by position and employment class:

• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage.

• Tax advantaged accounts including health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, and dependent care account.

• Financial security via life and long-term disability insurance, accident and illness insurance, and retirement savings plans.

• Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave and holidays.

• Tuition remission for employees and their eligible dependents.

Work collaboratively with academic departments, Career Development, Employer Relations, and Continuing Education and Corporate Relations to identify, develop, and steward employer partnerships that support co-ops, internships, and industry-sponsored student projects. Proactively engage regional, national, and emerging-industry employers to understand evolving workforce needs and to expand high-quality experiential learning opportunities for students. Provide expertise and facilitate collaboration to support the design, expansion, and continuous improvement of discipline-appropriate co-op pathways embedded within academic programs. Lead the development and implementation of industry-sponsored student project programs that bring real-world corporate challenges into classroom, laboratory, and project-team environments. Collect, analyze, and report data about the programs to inform continuous improvement and strategic decision-making. JOB REQUIREMENTS - Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, or a closely related STEM field. Master’s degree in a STEM or business-related field preferred. Minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in experiential learning, employer engagement, workforce development, or higher education–industry partnerships. Experience with cooperative education programs, internships, and/or industry-sponsored academic projects preferred. Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and collaborate effectively with academic and external stakeholders. Familiarity with ABET-accredited programs and experiential learning assessment preferred.

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