Director - Educational Partnerships

General Summary of Position:

The College of Fine Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (FAHSS) is home to a variety of unique initiatives and programs that engage PK-12 schools/districts and community colleges, including those offered through The Tsongas Industrial History Center (TIHC), Jumpstart, and the college's Early College and Career Pathways with particular emphasis on the School of Education's educator pathways.

The College seeks a Director to oversee the TIHC and this growing portfolio in its emerging Center for Educational Partnerships. In collaboration with the FAHSS Dean's Office, TIHC staff, and other school and community-based partners, the Director coordinates Center initiatives that serve PK-14 students & educators and provide a pipeline to UML degree programs. The position offers the unique opportunity to work across a range of educational contexts including the Tsongas Industrial History Center, whereby the Director works in and with Lowell National Historical to offer place-based, hands-on informal, humanities and STEM education programs.

The Director reports directly to the FAHSS Associate Dean of Online Education, Accreditation & Licensing.

Essential Job Duties:

Strategic Leadership:

• In collaboration with the Dean's Office and partner organizations, establishes a Center for Educational Partnerships that houses all initiatives in the Director's portfolio.
• Ensures the Center for Educational Partnerships delivers programming that represents and is responsive to the mission, vision, and strategic plans of the University and the College as well as those of its partners.
• As the leader of the Tsongas Industrial History Center and in collaboration with National Park Service partners and TIHC staff, ensures that the priorities of the TIHC's newly established strategic plan are pursued with direct support and in line with its mission.
• Leads continuous improvement processes to ensure the Center for Educational Partnerships is delivering relevant and impactful programs.
• With the support of the Dean's Office, cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including PK-14 district and school educators, UML faculty, TIHC staff, National Park Service partners, community college partners, and relevant community based partners.
• Oversees and reports on program budgets ensuring that they are executed in alignment with strategic priorities of the College and the Center for Educational Partnerships.
• In collaboration with the Dean's Office, provides leadership and support to staff who implement programs that run through the Center for Educational Partnerships.
• In collaboration with the Dean's Office and relevant partners, articulates the Center for Educational Partnership's organizational structure, clearly delineating roles and responsibilities for leadership, key staff, and advisors.

Fundraising and Development:

• In collaboration with the Dean's Office and relevant partner organizations, establishes a reliable, sustainable and diversified funding model, including an equitable and predictable source of funding through fee-for-service offerings.
• In collaboration with the Dean's Office and the Advancement Office, identifies and pursues potential funding streams (i.e., foundation giving, private donors, corporate giving/sponsorships).
• In collaboration with the Dean's Office, including the College's Grants Administrator, and partner organizations, identifies and pursues potential funding through competitive grant opportunities.

Public Relations and Marketing:

• Represents the Center for Educational Partnership's programs/initiatives publicly (including those offered through the Tsongas Industrial History Center), enhancing its visibility and value in the community; in collaboration with the Dean's Office and partner organizations, establishes a position/role in the university's Lowell Innovation Network Corridor.
• Working with the Dean's Office and the Office of Brand, Communications, and Creative Strategy establishes and manages marketing/brand strategies to enhance visibility and engagement in programming.
• Develops and extends partnerships with PK-14 schools, community colleges, community based organizations and industry/corporate partners.

Board Relations:

• In collaboration with the Dean's Office, establishes an advisory board whose members can provide strategic advice, insights, and expertise across initiatives.
• Leverages the board through a variety approaches to capitalize on their expert guidance, networks, feedback, and accountability function.

Minimum Qualifications (Required):

• Master's degree in relevant field
• Five years of leadership experience in an educational setting or education adjacent setting
• Record of securing external funding
• Three years of experience managing multiple projects and staff in an organization/department with budgetary control
• Knowledge of best practices related to educator professional development, school-based partnerships, and career/educator pathways
• Demonstrated cultural competence
• Ability to travel locally, nationally and internationally
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite

Additional Considerations:

• General knowledge of organization and goals of the National Park Service and the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education's curriculum frameworks
• Established relationships/connections with Massachusetts schools/districts
• Excellent organizational and (written and oral) communication skills (including the ability to interact across cultures)
• Proficiency in a language in addition to English, preferably Spanish
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively about innovative collaborations across diverse partners and to troubleshoot a wide range of issues that emerge in a context of organizational complexity
• Demonstrated commitment to workforce development and diversity

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to analyze data and make recommendations for programmatic change
• Ability to deal with project and staff situations with discretion and professionalism
• Project management (developing timelines and milestones, meeting deadlines, communicating successes and challenges, overcoming barriers)

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Only Internal Professional (SEIU 888 Professional Union) Bargaining candidates will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period.

This is a SEIU 888 Professional Union position, Grade P20.

Initial review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. However, the position may close when an adequate number of qualified applications is received.

Please include a resume and cover letter with your application. Names and contact information of three references will be required during the application process.