Director of Internships and Research

Kenyon College is conducting a search for a qualified candidate to fill the position of Director of Internships and Research. The Director of Internships and Research will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of a comprehensive and sustainable strategy for internships and research opportunities for Kenyon College. This newly created position will report to the Dean for Career Development but work in close collaboration with the Director of Employer Relations and Director of Mentorship. The responsibilities will evolve as targets are met, with the ultimate goal of hiring direct reports and absorbing campus research oversight. 

Essential Functions

Strategy and Deployment (35%)

• Develop strategies geared towards sourcing Kenyon talent for key employer partners and collaborating on the direction of future employer outreach.
• Employ data analytics to inform strategy, and develop KPIs to measure and report on progress.
• Lead efforts to embed reflection and meaning-making into internship participation among students.
• Use internship funds strategically in ways that support internship access for all students and to build in-roads with target employers for all majors.
• Lead the College’s strategy around internships-for-credit,  including the administration and strategy around EXPL 205 and 206, credit-bearing internship courses.
• Manage and further build upon the Community Internship Program to develop internships within the Knox County community.
• Recommend curricular opportunities that can scale internship participation within Kenyon’s academic program.

Collaboration (30%)

• Work closely with the Director of Employer Partnerships and Director of Mentorship to deploy a unified communication strategy to employers regarding career engagement opportunities.
• Ensure follow through on internship-related MOUs with employer partners.
• Support the Director of Experiential Learning as needed for internship sourcing connected to cohort-based programs in various cities. 
• Work with the Integrated Advising working group to create an Experiential Learning Requirement at Kenyon.
• Lead the Internship Stipend Fund committee.
• Work with On-Campus Work Manager to align campus employment with internship best practices.
• Collaborate with Advancement to acquire additional funding for internship opportunities and internship programs.
• Partner with career-oriented student organizations as it relates to internships.

Internship Development (25%)

• Identify best-in-class internship and early career programs, while creating pathways between academic departments and employer partners.
• Serve as the point of contact for employers, including alumni and families, to offer internships and recruit for internships at Kenyon.
• Partner with Alumni and Parent Engagement to leverage the College’s network for internship leads.
• Develop and deploy an ecosystem of faculty contacts to refer students to internship leads.
• Develop close relationships with internship contacts at target companies, managing the relationships and outreach in a CRM.

Events & Marketing (10%)

• Promote internship opportunities through a variety of channels and partnerships.
• Design internship reports for academic departments, athletic programs, and other campus partners.
• Run peer-to-peer internship programming that creates community and resource sharing around internship searching.
• Conduct orientation and training workshops for departing interns.

Requirements: 

• Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years in career services, human resources, talent acquisition, or a related field preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and program development.
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Understanding of labor market trends, recruitment needs, and best practices in career readiness.

Working Conditions 

• This position may require limited travel and the associated physical demands, as well as occasional work during evenings and weekends.

Kenyon College is a nationally prominent, private liberal arts college where academic excellence goes hand in hand with a strong sense of community and close relationships among students and professors.

Compens