Description
POSITION OBJECTIVE
Working with a high degree of autonomy and strategic responsibility, the Director of Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships leads the visioning, development, and execution of programs that advance Sears think[box] and Case Western Reserve University's role as a hub for innovation, creativity, and community engagement. This position plays a pivotal role in meeting Case Western Reserve University's mission by serving critical campus and curricular needs and fostering dynamic partnerships with the local and campus communities, industry stakeholders, and nonprofit organizations to advance knowledge creation.
Reporting to the Executive, this leadership role will develop, deliver, and report on innovative programming (workshops, classes, tours, and activities) designed to activate and connect a variety of internal and external stakeholders, fostering knowledge exchange and cultivating opportunities for future partnerships.
Internal stakeholders comprise students, faculty, staff, and alumni from across all eight Case Western Reserve University academic units in addition to university-based offices such as the University Center for Innovation in Teaching and Education (UCITE), the Office of Government and Community Affairs, the libraries, and myriad research groups that serve undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. External stakeholders include residents of neighborhoods both adjacent to and distant from campus; local entrepreneurs; nonprofit organizations; corporations of all sizes; and staff and students from nearby colleges/universities (e.g., John Carroll University, Kent State University, Cleveland State University, and Lakeland Community College).
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Strategic Leadership: as a key member of the executive leadership team, ensure programmatic alignment and effectiveness throughout the department. Develop and provide strategic direction for outreach efforts to achieve goals as outlined in think[box]¿s strategic plan. Actively engage in cross-functional management discussions. Represent think[box] in the community to advance outreach partnerships and opportunities (e.g., public speaking engagements, workshops, conferences, committees, etc.). Provide relevant information and resources to university leadership to ensure representation of think[box] aligns with organizational goals. (30%)
Program Development and Implementation: develop and implement a wide range of outreach initiatives with varying timelines and budgets, including but not limited to events, programs, demonstration projects, educational material, and collaborations. Develop and manage activities, programs, and events that strategically leverage the community floor of think[box] including the auditorium, multipurpose activity rooms, and the exhibition space. Meet with prospective think[box] users to identify the scope, content and cost to plan and carry out innovative programs and cultural activities. Programming may include short-term training and events for individuals, residential summer camps, programs, events, and demonstrations for schoolteachers and local school students; pre-college and first-year activities, as well as established on-campus partners. Create and oversee plan implementation for enhanced visibility of think[box] services and programs. Oversee communications and messaging to target audiences (e.g., interest letters, response to inquiries and follow-up communications, itineraries, program copies and other copy as needed). Respond to changing needs among partners and the target audience. Work with University Marketing and Communications to ensure that resources are leveraged to support programs/events. Collaborate with university Development to build long-term relationships with donors, and increase support from alumni and prospective industry partners through face-to-face visits, stewardship meetings, presentations, and donor events, etc. Develop strong, professional relationships to maintain open communication and coordinate joint collaboration with key stakeholders. (20%)
Staff Management: recruit, manage, supervise, and evaluate staff members responsible for implementing and delivering outreach program content. Manage staff performance through regular individual supervision, observation of activities, records review, team meetings and formal performance reviews. Collaboratively set attainable goals, align objectives to best practices, and provide ongoing feedback to support employee development. Nurture and promote individual staff strengths, talents and abilities, support and model professionalism. Provide leadership training and oversight to programming staff. Ensure compliance with organizational practices and policies; support and promote organizational decisions effectively. (20%)
Arts Initiative: develop and lead the Sears think[box] Arts Initiative, which includes exhibitions, acquisition, partnerships, and programming. Brainstorm and solidify new exhibition and collection ideas that support and expand upon current educational and research needs. Create and sustain a curatorial advisory board of faculty and art experts, which will support and facilitate a greater number of, and a variety of shows in think[box]. Oversee exhibit installation and design, de-installation, staffing needs, building instruction, and marketing efforts. Manage the relationship with internal and external organizations art collections (e.g., Putnam Collection and Progressive Insurance Collection). Interpret the collections to inform, educate, and inspire the public. Work collegially and collaboratively across programs and departments with college and museum faculty and staff, university administration, visiting artists, and community members. Develop and implement sustainable programs that expand upon and initiate thoughtful and cutting-edge interpretive programs. Raise funds and obtain grants to expand the collection, update facilities, or support research efforts. (10%)
Cultural Brokering: collaborate with key university and community stakeholders. Promote cross-boundary work between stakeholders to leverage collaboration and bring people together to build mutual understanding and lasting relationships. With a culturally competent lens, develop and implement community norms and an orientation program to cultivate a well-understood, harmonious, and respectful use of university space. Lead strategies and establish the systems, processes, and actions needed to respond to crises before they happen, often communicating with and providing training to key individuals. Handle disruptive and unexpected events that threaten to harm the organization or its stakeholders. (10%)
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Budgeting and Reporting: Prepare reports and financial data for top management reporting purposes. Identify, develop, and submit draft academic program proposals for grant funding agencies. Work with the Office of General Counsel and other entities as needed to draft contracts and scope of work documents (including budgets), in collaboration with sponsoring institutes, companies, and relevant Case Western Reserve University departments (such as General Counsel and Housing). (5%)
Perform other duties as assigned. (5%)
CONTACTS
Department: Regular contact with Sears think[box] staff, development staff, Foundation Relations, Corporate Relations, and the Case Alumni Association regarding strategic direction and outreach efforts.
University: Regular contact with the office of the Provost and occasional contact with the office of the President, deans of schools and colleges, and housing and catering administrative staff to manage think[box] programs and activities.
External: Regular contact with international, national and local institutes and companies, and potential clients for outreach and programming efforts.
Students: Regular contact with undergraduate, graduate, and Grades 9-12 students to collaborate on outreach programming and initiatives.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
Supervise the Program Manager for Program Development and Implementation, and a team of student programming assistants.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: 7 years of professional related experience required.
Education: Bachelor's degree required.
REQUIRED SKILLS
A proven demonstration of developing, delivering and managing successful academic-related programs. Project and budget management skills are essential.
Excellence in organizational management with the ability to coach staff, manage, and develop high performance teams, set and achieve strategic objectives, and demonstrate proven project and budget management experiences.
Ability to engage and communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, cultures, and populations, including corporate executives, researchers, academics, families, and policy makers.
Demonstrated leadership skills with experience addressing problems that affect an organization's resources and management.
Excellent interpersonal, organizational and management skills coupled with a collaborative management style.
Demonstrated ability to deal with confidential information and/or issues using discretion and judgment.
Persuasive and passionate speaker for events (e.g. emcee, panel member, keynote speaker, conference speaker, television interviewee/interviewer).
Possess a tremendous initiative and an entrepreneurial spirit.
Must demonstrate ability to multi-task and work effectively in a fast-paced, rapidly changing, team-based work environment.
Ability to synthesize information from various sources; strong ability in areas of critical thinking and data analyses.
Ability to motivate students from multiple backgrounds (e.g., art, music, engineering, science) engaged in outreach programs.
Ability to positively interact, influence and motivate clients, Sears think[box] team members, and vendors.
Ability to develop and lead collaborative initiatives with both internal and external groups.
Ability to develop, manage, and deliver income generating programs.
Ability to deliver revenue-sustaining outreach programs within 3 years.
Demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards within the workplace.
Prefer experience in writing grants and securing funding.
Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
Ability to meet consistent attendance.
Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers face to face.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Ability to travel and work flexible hours, may include some evenings and weekends as required. Workshop safety rules must be strictly enforced at all times when interacting with staff and students who are using various workshop/laboratory machines and equipment.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: 7 years of professional related experience required.
Education: Bachelor's degree required.
