Experiential Learning Manager

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION TITLE: Experiential Learning Manager
DIVISION: Academic Affairs

DEPARTMENT: Professional Practice Center & Alumni Relations
REPORTS TO: Director of Alumni Relations and Professional Practice Center
PAY TYPE: Exempt
WORKER TYPE: Full-Time

UPDATED: October 2025

PAY: $50,000

The Experiential Learning Manager plays a key role in preparing students and alumni for successful, sustainable careers in the creative industries. This position provides individualized career advising to KCAI students and alumni, manages career readiness programming and events, and oversees experiential learning initiatives, including the Sponsored Studio program, Professional Practice Portal, and career fairs. The role is highly collaborative and bridges academic, alumni, and employer networks to ensure students gain real-world experience that supports their artistic development and career goals, ensuring students graduate with the networks, skills, and experiences needed for post-graduate success.

Essential Functional Responsibilities

Advising & Career Preparation:

• Provide one-on-one career advising to students and alumni, covering resumes, portfolios, job search strategies, interview preparation, graduate school applications, and networking.
• Collaborate with Academic Advising and faculty to support students’ professional growth throughout their time at KCAI.
• Maintain advising records and track student engagement and progress.

Experiential Learning & Employer Relations:

• Serve as the primary liaison between KCAI and employers to develop new experiential learning experiences, including internships, apprenticeships, and project-based collaborations.
• Execute daily tasks associated with the Sponsored Studio program, collaborating with faculty and partners to align real-world projects with academic and professional goals.
• Manage the Professional Practice Portal, ensuring job and internship listings, student records, and employer information are accurate and up to date.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with local, regional, and national employers, alumni, and industry professionals to expand opportunities for students and alumni.

Career Programming & Events Management:

• Plan and implement all Professional Practice Center career readiness events, including workshops, panels, and employer presentations.
• Organize both virtual and in-person career fairs to ensure meaningful student-employer engagement.
• Coordinate event logistics, contracts, and communications with internal and external partners.
• Track attendance and collect post-event feedback to inform future programming.

Outcomes & Assessment:

• Provide regular reports on student participation, employer engagement, and alumni involvement to support institutional strategy for post-graduate success.
• Track post-graduate employment outcomes and use data to inform advising strategies and programming improvements.

Other:

• Support other Advancement, Academic Affairs, and other campus initiatives as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervises the following:

• N/A

Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of career development and experiential learning in higher education.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work with students, faculty, alumni, and employers.
• Strong organizational and event planning skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and career platforms (e.g., 12Twenty) preferred.
• Ability to analyze outcomes data and apply insights to practice.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. for event setup.

Required Experience/Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum two years of experience in career advising, student services, experiential learning, or related areas.
• Experience in employer relations, event planning, or partnership development.

Preferred Experience/Education:

• Background in art, design, or creative industries.
• Experience in higher education or arts-focused institutions.

Statement

Kansas City Art Institute is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing, and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, gender, gender identity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state or local law. KCAI provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in the job application process. If you have any difficulty using our online system and you need accommodation due to a disability, you may contact the Human Resources Department about your interest in employment. Any questions or concerns can be directed to Kansas City Art Institute’s Human Resource Administrator.

EOE/AA: Minorities/Females/Disabled/Vets

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.