About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships will work with the Dean and academic leadership on strategic planning and leadership of key initiatives to bring more resources to the College of Information and Computer Science (CICS). The Executive Director will cultivate partnerships between CICS and individuals, corporations, foundations, and government stakeholders to engage these entities and build the foundation for support for the college's research and teaching programs. This position will work closely with university fundraising staff to ensure alignment with advancement protocols and procedures, and to realize fundraising objectives. They will drive strategies that support the Dean’s objectives and the college’s vision of Computing for the Common Good and promote the university’s service to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Essential Functions

• Facilitate and drive key strategic initiatives, including execution and assessment, that will facilitate support and investment in college growth.
• Develop strategy in partnership with the Dean to meet long-term goals as well as shorter-term objectives.
• Organize and manage visits to develop strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders whose support will lead to new facilities, investment in faculty and student success, and programs that reflect a culture of diversity and inclusion.
• Work with other University departments to identify, initiate, and enhance effective relationships and partnerships with key external stakeholder groups.
• Ensure that strategies are developed that reflect the complex intersection of academic, industry, and societal needs.
• Develop volunteer leadership, including the CICS Advisory Board, in support of the Dean’s goals.
• Partner with communications, fundraising, and other staff members to develop strategic collateral and presentations.
• Speak effectively to different audiences about the impact that investment and partnership will have on students, faculty, industry, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Other Functions

• Perform related duties as assigned or required to meet Department, College, or University goals and objectives.
• Understand responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behave in ways consistent both with law and with University policy.
• Contribute toward creating a positive and respectful workplace defined by personal and professional competence, integrity, and collaboration.
• Understand and contribute to implementation of departmental and institutional goals for achieving non-discrimination and creating a respectful, inclusive environment that is supportive of diversity.
• Use access to sensitive and/or not yet public university related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 10 years of professional experience with at least 5 of those years in an advancement setting OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. One (1) year of advanced academia may be substituted for every one (1) year of relevant experience
• 3 years of experience in a director-level position or higher.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively, and create and maintain harmonious relationships with a diverse population of staff, faculty, students, and on-campus constituents. Ability to engage and partner successfully with faculty, administrators, industry partners, public officials, and influential individuals.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to write concisely, express thoughts clearly, and develop ideas in a logical sequence. 
• Independent initiative. Must have the ability to stay on task and work productively with a minimum amount of supervision or guidance. Willingness to take on a variety of tasks related to the strategic goals of the College.
• Ability to adapt and work effectively as the college grows.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to complete assignments in a timely manner, balancing the demands of concurrent and potentially competing projects. Ability to pivot quickly to take advantage of strategic opportunities.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality. The ability to think through problems, organize and seek out data/information, identify key factors and underlying causes, and generate solutions.
• Strong computer skills including at least intermediate expertise with:
  
  • Email
  • Calendar systems such as iCal, Outlook, or Google
  • Word processing software such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs
  • Spreadsheets such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Familiarity with the field of computer science.
• Knowledge of Massachusetts' challenges, opportunities, and constituencies.
• Experience working closely with academic leadership.  

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical office environment.
• Ability to travel to other campuses or to locations within the United States.

Work Schedule

• Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm
• May be required to work some nights and weekends.

Salary Information

Salary associated to a level 31.

PSU Salary Ranges 

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, and the contact information for 3 professional references.

To ensure consideration, please apply by July 27, 2019.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.