"Assistant Dean for Public & Global Engagement - CNSE - University at Albany"

Job Description

The Assistant Dean for Public Engagement and Global Engagement is a senior leader within the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) responsible for advancing the College's visibility, influence, and impact through dynamic external engagement. This role plays a critical part in shaping CNSE's presence across local, state, national, and global arenas by developing strategic partnerships, leading high-profile outreach initiatives, and serving as the public-facing representative for engagement programs. As the College's chief architect of community, industry, and international collaboration efforts, the Assistant Dean works directly with the Dean's Office and serves as a key advisor on matters that influence CNSE's growth, relevance, and alignment with UAlbany's strategic priorities. This position builds the bridge between CNSE's cutting-edge research and education mission and the broader public it is meant to serve, positioning the College as a leader in innovation, workforce development, and global impact.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership and College-wide Engagement
• Develop and implement a comprehensive public engagement strategy aligned with CNSE and UAlbany's mission, priorities, and strategic plan.
• Serve as an advisor to the Dean and senior leadership on public engagement, global collaborations, and industry alignment; present quarterly updates and lead the creation of an annual engagement roadmap and impact report.
• Represent CNSE on institutional working groups and at high-profile public and policy events.
• Community and Industry Partnerships
• Identify, initiate, and sustain strategic partnerships with K-12 institutions, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, international entities, and industry stakeholders.
• Independently lead all phases of partnership development: prospecting, relationship-building, negotiation, and formalization through MOUs or agreements.
• Collaborate with the CNSE Director of Development, Industrial Advisory Council, career services, and faculty PIs to co-develop initiatives that expand CNSE's reach and relevance, including internships, pipeline programs, and community-based research.
• Maintain and grow a strategic partner pipeline (25-50 organizations); secure 2-5 new or renewed formal partnerships annually.
• Oversee all outreach activities—planning, organizing, budgeting, promoting, executing, and evaluating—such as: Engineering fairs, Public lectures and speaker series, Summer camps and K-12 STEM initiatives, Downtown Passport Program, Alumni engagement events, Global mobility and study abroad programs. (Lead 3-5 major programs/events per year; occasional evening/weekend work required)
• Represent CNSE at 5-8 strategic external stakeholder events each year to identify trends, cultivate partners, and advocate for the College.
• Communications and Public Presence
• Lead the public engagement communications strategy in coordination with CNSE and UAlbany Communications & Marketing.
• Oversee development and dissemination of outreach-related content including: At least 6 press releases/year, Monthly digital/social media campaigns, Regular newsletter contributions and analytics reviews, Contribution to Annual Report.
• Serve as CNSE spokesperson on engagement-related topics; translate complex research into accessible public messaging.
• Maintain a coordinated calendar across communications platforms, ensuring consistent branding and alignment with engagement goals.
• Oversee and coordinate logistics, marketing, registration, travel, fiscal, and risk management through project management platforms (e.g., Teams).
• Impact Assessment and Strategic Reporting
• Define and track KPIs for all outreach and partnership efforts; translate findings into leadership-ready reports.
• Develop and maintain dashboards, and data collection protocols using Excel, Tableau, or Power BI.
• Evaluate program outcomes using participation data, and satisfaction surveys.
• Produce the annual Public and Global Engagement Impact Report summarizing activities, challenges, and strategic direction.
• Use data insights to inform continuous improvement and alignment with CNSE and UAlbany strategic goals.

Functional and Supervisory Relationships:

Reports to the Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. This position may supervise student staff engaged in outreach and engagement programs. May lead or coordinate cross-functional teams on specific initiatives and mentor staff and/or faculty supporting communications, logistics, and event planning. Cross functional relationships: This position will involve cross functional relationships across campus, throughout the community and globally, including but not limited to the office of communications & marketing, CIEGS, the CNSE Associate Dean for Applied Learning and Cooperative Education, the Office of Gov't and Community Relations, the Office for Public Engagement, non-profit organizations, membership organizations, and educational institutions.

Job Requirements:

Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strategic partnerships with diverse constituencies. Exceptional communication, organizational, and leadership skills. Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in engineering education and community engagement. Ability to lead strategically and work collaboratively across diverse stakeholders. Ability to lead cross-functional teams.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, public administration, education, or related field from a regionally accredited institution.
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in public engagement, partnership development, or outreach—preferably in higher education or STEM-related fields.
• Demonstrated success in developing and formalizing strategic partnerships, including drafting or managing MOUs and agreements.
• Proven ability to lead high-profile programs and initiatives with public visibility and cross-functional coordination.
• Proficiency with program assessment and assessment tools.
• Strong written, verbal, and public communication skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office and project management tools (e.g., Teams, Outlook, Excel).
• Familiarity with higher education and STEM-industry landscapes.
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to develop inclusive and equitable relationships within our diverse campus community.
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to support diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging relative to their role.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in engineering, education, communications, public policy, or a related field.
• Experience in engineering or STEM outreach programs.
• Demonstrated success in securing sponsorships or funding for public engagement initiatives.
• Supervisory experience, especially in mentoring student teams or staff.
• Knowledge of New York State K-12 education policy, STEM workforce pipelines, or international education.

Working Environment:

This position will require occasional evening and weekend work to support events and community activities. Travel within New York State and beyond may be necessary.

Additional Information:

This is a promotional opportunity for current UAlbany employees. Professional Rank and Salary Grade: Assistant Dean, SL-5, $88,000-$93,000. Special Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.