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Director of Strategic National Partnerships, Network Engagement, and Innovation

Employer
Connecticut State Colleges and Universities
Location
Connecticut, United States
Salary
Salary Not Specified
Date posted
Jan 13, 2022
Details:

Posted: December 13, 2021 Internal 10 Day posted: January 12, 2022
Level: Administrator V (SUOAF)
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Job Posting: BOR 21-31
PC#: TBD
Closing Date: Applications must be submitted by 5:00pm (EST) on Friday, January 21, 2022

Location:

System Office

Anticipated Start Date:

Spring 2022

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) Vice President of Student Success and Academic Initiatives, the Director of Strategic Partnerships, Network Engagement, and Innovation reports to the VP for Student Success and Academic Initiatives and serves the CSCU System as the lead for maintaining, stewarding, and operationalizing new strategic partnerships and relationships – both internal and external - that build CSCU Success’ impact, visibility, value, thought leadership, and capacity to engage in, advance, and scale sustainability and student success for a diverse student population totaling more than 85,000 system wide. They play a central role in advancing the strategic priorities that drive the work of approximately 10,000 faculty and staff system wide and leveraging partnerships and networks to advance the mission and vision of CSCU and CSCU Success - helping define and execute organizational growth and success strategies.

The Director builds and promotes public and private partnerships to reimagine and scale opportunities that benefit CSCU students, communities, individuals, and employers, and is responsible for the development and maintenance of all related national and local partnership agreements, contracts, and memorandums in partnership as needed with the CSCU Finance, Purchasing, and Legal Affairs departments. The Director has overall responsibility for directing Network Engagement and Performance operations for the office of Student Success and Academic Initiatives. The Director is an integral member of a team that fosters a process in which faculty, staff, students, and administrators collaboratively develop a culture of academic, career, and personal success for CSCU students. These efforts further include national partners across the educational and workforce development spectrum. As needed, the Director will scope, launch, and help guide the initial execution of new opportunities and sector innovations. The Director collaborates extensively with the office of Academic Affairs.

Additionally, as a representative of CSCU within the Success Center national network, the Director connects the system with further resources and opportunities for the expansion of student success in the CSCU.

Supervision Exercised:

The Director directly supervises the CSCU Visual Communications Designer. The Director also has direct or indirect report responsibility for all CSCU Success interns and fellows. As CSCU Success short- and long-term leads are established for various academic initiatives, the Director will have direct or indirect report responsibility for these individuals.

Minimum Qualifications:

Earned master’s degree or equivalent in higher education, organizational management, or a related field. Five or more years of director-level or associate director-level leadership in a college, university, or system office setting, or equivalent experience, including but not limited to director, associate director, or program management-level leadership at a national higher education organization, network, or foundation.

Successful Candidate must have or must possess:
  • Commitment to academic and student affairs quality and standards to promote student success.
  • Experience in strategic planning for institutions and/or systems of higher education.
  • Experience in local development and adoption of national best practices in higher education, particularly as they relate to student success.
  • Experience building and maintaining collaborative internal and external relationships with broad constituencies.
  • Understanding of and ability to articulate the needs, concerns, and realities of all students.
  • Dedication to the use of data and data analysis in the decision-making process.
  • Knowledge of state initiatives and associated frameworks.
  • Sensitivity to and ability to work with the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of members of the community, including those with disabilities.
  • Ability to exercise group leadership skills, which emphasize collaboration, consensus building, conflict resolution, and problem solving.
  • Strong information and technology literacy skills.
  • Outstanding communication skills in writing, speaking, and listening.
This posting includes qualifications, experience and skills but is not limited to the full duties and responsibilities that is stated within the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Substitutions Allowed:

Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications as stated are encouraged to put in writing precisely how their background and experience have prepared them for the responsibilities of this position and by providing appropriate references. Exceptions to the degree requirements may be made for compelling reasons.

Preferred Qualifications:

N/A

Example of Job Duties:
  • Lead the development and maintenance of key external partnerships on behalf of and as directed by the VP of Student Success and Academic Initiatives, including the development and maintenance of all related agreements, contracts, and memorandums.
  • In partnership with the VP of Student Success and Academic Initiatives and unit staff, develop criteria to define strategic partnerships, helping to catalyze partnerships, programs, and operations that advance CSCUs mission, priorities, and market impact.
  • Support and foster the development of grant opportunities for CSCU Success and related opportunities for the CSCU system.
  • Support the VP of Student Success and Academic Initiatives in translating emerging trends and postsecondary education innovations into actionable items that, in collaboration with strategic partners, advance the agency’s mission, vision, and strategic plan.
  • Lead innovation efforts, including chairing and supporting the operation of cross-functional working groups to support academic initiatives.
  • Partner with leaders in the CSCU Academic and Student Affairs division, the CSCU Success unit, and other areas and institutions across the system to develop, oversee, and monitor innovations that enable expansion and increased impact on student success.
  • Contribute to business and national partnership development through design and scoping, proposal development, relationship management, and opportunity pursuit in keeping with the strategic priorities for CSCU and CSCU Success.
  • Based on market insights, support the identification, exploration, and execution of new ventures or operational models for CSCU Success, including issues related to structure, funding, and alignment with CSCU/CSCU Success mission and vision.
  • Anticipate and monitor trends and events in the broader education, workforce, and legislative landscapes.
  • Represent CSCU in the field with numerous external partners, identifying opportunities to partner both locally and nationally, and serving as needed on national partner panels, working groups, and leadership teams.
  • Actively engage with national partners to collaborate on student success initiatives, participate in relevant national networks and convenings, and raise CSCU system’s profile.
  • Communicate with and respond to inquiries from national partners, internal and external stakeholders, and other interested parties on behalf of CSCU Success.
  • Support the coordination of CSCU Success’ knowledge management strategy and systems, enabling effective and efficient collaborations with stakeholders, strategic partners, investors, and other community partners.
  • Collaborates with the VP of Student Success and Academic Initiatives and other national partners on strategic planning, resource allocation, and special projects.
  • Serves as the leader and expert within CSCU/CSCU Success on how to communicate with, engage, and roll out new initiatives utilizing network resources and partnerships.
  • Build CSCU/CSCU Success’ internal capacity (systems, teams, and skillsets) to institutionalize, sustain and scale initiatives, handing off projects and opportunities over time to new leadership on campuses or within CSCU business units.
  • Advise working groups, councils, and other operational units to convey CSCU/CSCU Success priorities.
  • Partner with the business operations, finance, human resources, and academic and student affairs teams as needed to support the overall alignment of capabilities and capacity of strategies led by CSCU Success.
  • Troubleshoot complex challenges that arise during implementation efforts.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with higher education leaders in Connecticut and nationally.
  • Ensure the success of complex projects by providing mentorship, direct feedback, thought partnership, and coaching to internal and external stakeholders.
  • With support from the VP of Student Success and Academic Initiatives and unit staff, build and execute a business development strategy for the CSCU Success including the identification of new opportunities that align with and advance the mission and vision for CSCU and CSCU Success.
  • Lead the development and maintenance of the CSCU Success brand, marketing, and public relations strategies, ensuring the mission and accomplishments are consistently presented in a strong, positive manner to relevant stakeholders.
  • Support the VP of Student Success and Academic Initiatives with building opportunities for learning from the field by forming and staffing key advisory councils, including the Success Center Advisory Council, the CSCU Equity Council, and other emerging system-level councils.
  • As assigned, lead and support specific student success efforts, including Guided Pathways’ implementation in the CSCU system.
  • Oversee relevant project development processes from start to finish, including developing scopes of work, collaborating with CSCU business and finance offices on the contract process, and building and managing project budgets.
  • Support continuity and long-term buy-in for the work of CSCU Success through consistent internal
    communication, and report on student success efforts and achievements.
  • Travel, as required, both in and out of state to professional development events and related convenings, especially those that raise the national profile of the CSCU Success office and to those relevant to the advancement of student success.
  • Supervise, evaluate, and direct the work of assigned personnel.
  • Complete other duties as assigned by the VP of Student Success and Academic Initiatives.
These duties will typically be during the business hours of the CSCU System Office, though may include occasional evening or weekend hours.

Starting Salary:

$78,742-$122,474 annual plus excellent State of CT medical insurance, retirement, and related fringe benefits.

Application Instructions:

To apply you must submit a cover letter and resume.

Incomplete applications or those submitted after the closing date will not be considered and links to other sources to view resumes are not acceptable.

All employment, if offered, is contingent upon proof of citizenship or employability under the requirement of the Immigration and Control Act (IRCA) and the successful passing of a background check. CSCU is committed to providing a safe campus community. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check and, when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

Prior to extending an offer of employment, the finalists for state employment must prove that they (1 )are fully vaccinated against COVID-19; (2) have received the first dose and has either received a second dose or has an appointment for the second dose in a two-dose series vaccination, such as Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or has received a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine; or (3) have applied for an exemption from this requirement because a physician, physician’s assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse has determined that the administration of COVID-19 vaccine is likely to be detrimental to their health, or the finalist objects to vaccination on the basis of a sincerely held religious or spiritual belief. Each application for an exemption will be considered on an individualized, case-by-case basis, and any applicant for an exemption must provide appropriate supporting documentation if requested. Executive Order

Continuing Notice of Nondiscrimination

CSCU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or criminal record. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Nicholas D'Agostino Manager of Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion Ndagostino@commnet.edu

CSCU IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER, M/F

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