Oregon State University (OSU) is Oregon’s largest university and the state’s only institution to hold both the Carnegie Foundation’s top designation for research institutions and its prestigious Community Engagement classification. OSU is one of only three land, sea, space, and sun grant universities in the United States and offers more than 200 undergraduate and approximately 80 graduate degree programs through its 11 colleges.
Representing nearly a third of the entire University’s student body and expected to grow to over 10,000 students in the coming year, the College of Engineering is focused on driving economic, social, and environmental prosperity by providing a supportive learning culture and ample leadership opportunities to some of the best engineering talent in the world. With a history of instruction in engineering since the 1880s, the College continues to fulfill its mission of transforming lives and enhancing society through impactful education and research that create solutions to global challenges along with partnerships that ensure responsiveness to Oregon and beyond. The College has the largest external relations infrastructure of any OSU college, making it a leader and forward-thinking role model at the University for external relations.
The Opportunity
The College of Engineering seeks an innovative and collaborative leader for the inaugural role of Executive Director of External Relations. Reporting directly to the dean as a member of the College’s leadership team, the Director is responsible for integrating all marketing, communication, and engagement activities. The Director will focus on advancing reputation, building recognition, and enhancing awareness for the College with a focus on multiple constituencies including alumni, donors, employers, academia, prospective and current students, faculty, and staff. A strong communicator who values transparency and collaboration, the Director will be responsive to the needs of an established external relations team while also upholding cross-campus relationships to maintain the College’s reputation as a strong University citizen and exemplary partner to the OSU Foundation and OSU Alumni Association and University Relations and Marketing.
The inaugural Executive Director of External Relations will bring a combination of education and extensive experience in progressively more complex roles within advancement services, such as marketing and communications, external relations, or development and fundraising. The Director will have experience developing and advancing strategies, projects, and programs across multiple teams and experience collaborating with a senior leader. The Director brings a commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity and demonstrated effectiveness in addressing issues of diversity and multiculturalism and in building community among different groups in university or community settings.
