Associate Director of Career & Experiential Learning for Finance Pathways

Job Description

Position Summary
The Associate Director of Experiential Learning for Finance Pathways is responsible for designing, implementing, and scaling high-impact experiential learning opportunities that prepare students for careers in finance, investment banking, and related fields. Reporting to the Assistant Vice Provost for Finance & Professional Services, this role integrates internships, treks, competitions, and project-based learning into a coherent, milestone-driven pathway aligned with competitive recruiting timelines.

This position ensures that experiential learning directly supports student readiness, employer expectations, and placement outcomes in highly structured and competitive finance recruiting environments.

About Career Advancement & Engagement

Career Advancement & Engagement at Vanderbilt University is building a pathway-based career ecosystem that aligns academic experience, experiential learning, and employer engagement to improve student outcomes at scale. Through advising, internships, industry partnerships, and AI-enabled tools, CAE helps students explore, prepare for, and launch into meaningful careers across a broad range of industries.

This model expands access to opportunities, strengthens employer relationships, and positions Vanderbilt as a leading source of talent in a rapidly evolving workforce.

Key Functions and Expected Performance

• Experiential Learning Strategy & Design
  • Design and implement a structured experiential learning model aligned to finance recruiting cycles (sophomore internships, junior summer pipelines, etc.)
  • Develop finance-specific experiential offerings including employer-sponsored projects, case competitions, and applied finance labs
  • Align experiential programming with defined career milestones and readiness benchmarks
• Employer & Industry Integration
  • Partner with Employer Relations to co-develop experiential opportunities with investment banks, asset managers, and financial institutions
  • Expand access to finance-relevant internships, treks (e.g., NYC), and immersion experiences
  • Ensure experiential opportunities reflect real employer expectations and skill requirements
• Program Execution & Oversight
  • Lead planning and execution of finance treks, immersion programs, and experiential initiatives
  • Ensure consistent quality, scalability, and student access across programs
  • Coordinate with academic partners for potential credit-bearing opportunities
• Assessment & Outcomes
  • Define and track key metrics including participation, internship conversion, and readiness indicators
  • Evaluate program effectiveness and continuously refine offerings based on outcomes and employer feedback

Supervisory Relationships
This position does not have supervisory responsibility and this position reports administratively and functionally to the Senior Director Finance & Investment Banking Pathways.

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor's degree required is necessary.
• Advanced degree is preferred.

Experience and Skills:

• 5-8+ years of experience in finance, experiential education, or program leadership
• Strong understanding of finance recruiting cycles and preparation expectations
• Demonstrated ability to design and scale complex programs
• Strong stakeholder management and project execution skills

About Us

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of "America's Best Large Employers" as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.