Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships

Portland State University is Oregon’s most innovative, diverse, and affordable public research university, located in one of the nation’s most desirable places to live. The Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science is a testing ground for putting new ideas into action, involving everyone—from freshmen to faculty to community—in solving the problems facing our region and our world. Maseeh College includes five departments, 132 faculty members, and more than 2,700 students, offering academic programs that provide transformative opportunities within the classroom and beyond. Our faculty includes six National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award winners and two members of the National Academy of Engineering.

About the role

Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science seeks a collaborative, entrepreneurial, and relationship-driven leader to advance the College’s strategic partnerships and external engagement efforts. The ideal candidate is a skilled convener who builds trust across diverse constituencies, identifies opportunities for mutually beneficial collaboration, and translates strategic vision into measurable outcomes that support the College’s mission and long-term growth.

The Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships leads and advances initiatives that strengthen the College’s connections with industry, government, educational institutions, alumni, and community stakeholders. Working in close partnership with the Dean’s office leadership team, the Executive Director identifies and develops opportunities that support enrollment, workforce development, research collaborations, innovation, and community engagement. As a central coordinator for strategic initiatives, the Executive Director aligns internal priorities with external opportunities to expand the College’s impact and advance institutional goals.

This is a full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month unclassified position reporting to the Interim Dean of Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science. The incumbent serves as a strategic ambassador for the College, fostering meaningful collaborations and advancing initiatives that enhance institutional visibility, strengthen external partnerships, and support the College’s long-term success.

Proposed start date: 09/01/2026. Fixed-term position ending 06/30/2028.

Responsibilities

• Lead and advance initiatives that strengthen the College’s connections with industry, government, educational institutions, alumni, and community stakeholders.
• Identify and develop opportunities that support enrollment, workforce development, research collaborations, innovation, and community engagement.
• Align internal priorities with external opportunities to expand the College’s impact and advance institutional goals.
• Serve as a strategic ambassador for the College, fostering meaningful collaborations and enhancing institutional visibility.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 7+ years of progressive professional experience, OR Master’s degree in a related field and 6+ years of progressive professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience directly managing a team of individual contributors.
• Advanced knowledge of management principles and core practices within the designated functional area.
• Proven track record of designing systems and solving complex problems that span across multiple programs, systems, and business functions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with industry, government, educational institutions, or workforce development organizations.
• Experience in business development, economic development, higher education administration, corporate relations, workforce development, or nonprofit leadership.
• Strong relationship-building and networking skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with executives, community leaders, educators, and government representatives.
• Experience managing partnerships, strategic initiatives, or external relations activities.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Understanding of higher education, workforce development, and regional economic trends.

Key Cultural Competencies

• Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
• Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
• Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
• Adhere to all of PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.
• Contribute to a culture of environmental stewardship, practice resource conservation, and actively work toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Pay

The starting annual salary for this position will be between $100,000 – $105,000 but may be negotiated above this rate depending on experience, skills, knowledge, market parity, and internal equity. New employees typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band.

Benefits

• 95% premium-paid healthcare.
• Generous retirement and vacation package.
• Reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse, or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools.

For more details, visit the PSU Benefits Overview or use the PSU Total Compensation Calculator.