Extension Associate Director for Community Relations

Penn State Extension is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven leader to serve as the Associate Director of Community Relations. This position provides leadership for Penn State Extension's statewide community, legislative, and industry engagement efforts and plays a critical role in strengthening Extension's visibility, credibility, partnerships, and public value across Pennsylvania.

Reporting to the Associate Dean and Director of Penn State Extension, the Associate Director of Community Relations oversees a team of Client Relationship Managers and develops strategies that foster meaningful relationships with county and state government officials, industry leaders, community organizations, advocates, and other stakeholders. This position serves as a key advisor to Extension leadership on engagement strategies and opportunities that advance Extension's mission, funding priorities, and long-term impact.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Community and Government Relations:
  • Develop and implement a statewide strategy for county-level relationship management and engagement with county commissioners, administrators, and local decision-makers.
  • Guide Extension leadership and staff on effective relationship-building and communication with elected officials and community stakeholders.
  • Coordinate strategies to support county budget requests, including development of impact reports, presentations, and messaging materials.
  • Monitor trends in county government, funding structures, and public policy that may impact Extension operations.
  • Partner with Penn State Government and Community Relations and College leadership to coordinate legislative education and awareness efforts.
• Community Engagement and Partnership Development:
  • Develop and strengthen relationships with community organizations, industry leaders, government agencies, and other key stakeholders.
  • Identify opportunities to leverage Extension programs, expertise, and resources to address community and workforce development needs.
  • Expand partnerships that support program growth, sponsorship opportunities, workforce development initiatives, and revenue generation.
  • Foster engagement opportunities that strengthen Extension's presence and impact across urban, suburban, and rural communities.
• Communications and Public Value Promotion:
  • Ensure consistent messaging related to Extension's mission, programs, and impact across all engagement activities.
  • Oversee development of presentations, reports, success stories, and outreach materials for stakeholders and leadership.
  • Collaborate with communications and marketing teams to elevate awareness of Extension programs and outcomes.
  • Translate Extension impacts into compelling narratives that support public understanding and investment.
• Leadership and Team Management:
  • Provide leadership, supervision, coaching, and performance management for a team of Client Relationship Managers.
  • Establish priorities, goals, and work plans aligned with Extension and College strategic objectives.
  • Foster collaboration, accountability, and professional growth across the team.
  • Ensure consistency and coordination of engagement efforts statewide while supporting regional flexibility and local needs.
• Assessment and Strategic Planning:
  • Develop metrics and evaluation frameworks to measure engagement outcomes and effectiveness.
  • Analyze engagement data and stakeholder feedback to identify opportunities for improvement.
  • Prepare reports and recommendations for Extension leadership regarding emerging opportunities, challenges, and trends.
  • Serve as a member of the Extension leadership team, contributing to strategic planning and organizational initiatives.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining relationships with government, community, industry, or nonprofit stakeholders.
• Strong leadership, project management, communication, and strategic planning skills.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities and complex initiatives.
• Experience developing and delivering presentations to diverse audiences.

Qualifications

• Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required Certifications:
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • 8+ years of relevant experience, including 3+ years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
  • Required Certifications: None
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience working within higher education, Cooperative Extension, government relations, public affairs, community engagement, economic development, or related fields.
  • Experience managing community partnerships, stakeholder engagement initiatives, or public-facing programs.
  • Knowledge of Pennsylvania government, county systems, and community organizations.
  • Experience with budget planning, assessment, and strategic communications.

This position supervises a team of Community Relationship Managers and serves as a key member of Penn State Extension's leadership team. The successful candidate must be able to effectively represent Penn State Extension with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and help advance the organization's mission through strategic engagement and partnership development.

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

Pay

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $91,488.00 - $137,280.00.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Robust retirement plans
• Substantial paid time off including holidays, vacation, and sick time
• 75% tuition discount for employees, eligible spouses, and children