Director of University Relations

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:

All Lakeland University staff members are expected to:

• Demonstrate in their words and actions an appreciation for the history of Lakeland University and a commitment to its stated mission. 
• Represent unequivocally in their behavior the stated values of the University. 
• Be good stewards of the University's resources, including its personnel and the goodwill of its friends, its alumni, and local community. 
• Work collaboratively (as opposed to competitively) with their peers to meet objectives and achieve our goals. 
• Keep their supervisor appropriately informed. 
• Be forthright and honest in their communication with all members of the university community. 
• Treat all members in a manner of teamwork and respect. 
• Acts in a manner that sets the standard for service in higher education and the core principles of Lakelanders Excelling at Professionalism (LEAP) show respect, communicate and be positive. 
• Advise their supervisor with respect to all matters that require their attention, including their own performance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Collaborate with stakeholders to secure and/or advance an active portfolio of philanthropic funding of discretionary, scholarship, operational and program funds. 
• Participate in fundraising, alumni relations, and stakeholder engagement to enhance university financial resources and strengthen relationships with key constituencies. 
• Strategically integrate advancement efforts that foster experiential learning and cooperative education and revenue opportunities across all majors and emphasis of study. 
• Build on Corporate Partnership program to leverage project-work based learning, customized training, consulting services, and leadership and skill development workshops. 
• Attend employer-related networking events that facilitate connections between industry partners and university faculty/departments. 
• Function as a liaison between business development partners and the university to facilitate a collaborative "one-university" approach to industry engagement. 
• Advocate and promote cooperative education as a means for employers to advance a skilled workforce, provide professional development, enhance innovation, productivity, and market competitiveness. 
• Foster mutually beneficial relationships with employers that support continuous learning and development, including certificate programs, workshops, consulting, and seminars. 
• Identify industry continuing education needs and develop relevant educational programs that align with industry requirements, enhancing the university's reputation, revenue, and expanded professional networks. 
• Promote experiential pathways with industries that blend academic learning with practical work experience tailored to specific majors and areas of study. 
• Develop and sustain local and regional strategic corporate partnerships to intentionally grow foundational and professional cooperative education and experiential learning opportunities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; master's degree preferred. 
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in industry engagement, advancement, continuing education, alumni or related higher education programs. 
• Proven track record of building successful industry relationships and partnerships, preferably with donor support. 
• Strong leadership, communication, autonomy, professionalism, and interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups, including university leadership, faculty, staff, alumni, and external partners. 
• Knowledge of best practices and current trends in higher education, advancement, experiential learning, and industry engagement.