Program Manager

Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Program Manager - Service Learning and High Impact Learning at its Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

Job Purpose

The Program
Manager plays a vital role in advancing Wayne State University's Student
Success 2.0 priorities and institutional commitment to career readiness and
civic engagement. Reporting to the Vice Provost for Partnerships and Workforce,
this role supports all schools, colleges, and academic units by coordinating
project-based learning opportunities that connect students with community
organizations through academic and co-curricular experiences. The Manager
collaborates with faculty, staff, and community partners to develop
community-based and service-learning experiences that foster student
development, real-world skill-building, and reciprocal community impact across
the university.

Essential Functions

• Coordinate Community-Based Learning and Service-learning Projects
  Across Campus: Support faculty and departments across all schools and colleges
  in integrating community-based projects and service learning into courses and
  programs. Consult on course design, facilitate project planning, and assist
  with implementation.
• Develop and Maintain University-Wide Community Partnerships: Establish
  and sustain partnerships with nonprofit and community organizations that
  align with a wide range of academic disciplines and institutional goals.
  Ensure experiences are meaningful, reciprocal, and accessible to diverse
  student populations.
• Support
  Student Learning and Civic-Career Integration: Develop and
  facilitate student-facing materials, orientation sessions, and reflection
  activities that help students understand and articulate the personal, civic,
  and career value of their experiences.
• Manage
  Centralized Operations and Communications: Oversee systems for tracking,
  scheduling, and managing partnerships and projects at scale. Develop
  centralized communication materials, web content, and shared resources for
  use across units.
• Assessment,
  Reporting, and Continuous Improvement: Track participation by
  school/college, community partner engagement, and learning outcomes. Support
  campus-wide reporting efforts.
• Supervision
  & Leadership: May functionally supervise student employees, graduate interns,
  or part-time staff supporting career-engaged learning activities.
• Additional
  duties as assigned.

Education  
Bachelor's degree

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in education, nonprofit leadership, public administration, social sciences, or related field. Master's degree preferred.

Experience  
Intermediate (3 to 4 years job-related experience)

• Minimum five years of experience in higher education, community engagement, or program coordination.
• Experience working across academic units or centrally supporting a diverse set of programs.
• Demonstrated experience supporting applied or service-based learning, civic engagement, or project-based education.
• Experience working with community organizations and diverse student populations.
• Familiarity with university systems, student development theory, or experiential education preferred.

KNOWLEDGE,
SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong understanding of community-based learning and service learning in a higher education context
• Ability to collaborate with faculty and staff across disciplines and academic units
• Strong relationship-building skills with community partners, nonprofits, and civic organizations
• Excellent communication, coordination, and project management skills
• Capacity to support student development and reflection with a focus on civic and career competencies
• Familiarity with tracking tools, databases, or reporting systems
• Commitment to equity, access, and meaningful community engagement in an urban public university setting

H32 - Provost & VP Academic Affairs

H9203 - Placement Services (H9203)

• Regular Employee
• Job type: Full Time
• Job category: Staff/Administrative

• Compensation type: Annual Salary
• Hourly rate:
• Salary minimum: TBD
• Salary hire maximum: TBD

- Normal office environment.
- Local travel required

• Number of openings: 1
• Reposted position: No
• Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
• Prior posting/requisition number:

University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.