Specialist - Outreach-Fixed Term

Working/Functional Title

Director of Education & Industry Outreach Programs

Position Summary

Michigan State University actively promotes a dynamic research and learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

The Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection (A-CAPP) is an industry-facing, self-funded institute housed at Michigan State University within the College of Social Science. The Center operates at the intersection of academia, industry, and government, delivering applied research, professional education, workforce development, outreach, and global convenings for the brand protection community from a multidisciplinary perspective.

It is the leading academic center globally on this issue and engages with the public and private sector, regularly.  Since 2020, A-CAPP Center has engaged with more than 700 organizations globally, including multi-national brands, technology and service providers, investigators, law enforcement, government agencies, non-profit organizations, e-commerce platforms and other academics.  The Center also regularly engages in media requests, external presentations and training, and other publicly facing events external to MSU.

The Center has an industry advisory board and 4 brand protection councils that align with the Center’s strategic thematic areas.  In March of 2025, the Center relaunched its Brand Protection Professional Certificate program, after over 5000 courses had been taken on the original one.  The certificate is designed primarily for the brand protection community but is also used to help train the future workforce in brand protection—students. The A-CAPP Center also runs a small internship program.

The Center has a small, dynamic team that works in a fast-paced environment, navigating academia while responding to the speed of the private sector.  Given the nature of our external engagement, we work in a hybrid environment.  The Center is also almost entirely self-sustaining, meaning that the success of the Center’s programs and performance of the team, directly impacts funding for future salaries and projects.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director of Education & Industry Outreach Programs is responsible for leading, designing, and growing the A-CAPP Center’s academic, professional, and workforce development educational programming, as well as industry facing outreach programs. This role owns the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of the Center’s education and outreach programs. The Specialist translates industry needs into high-value educational and outreach offerings, ensures effective and consistent program delivery, and builds strong engagement with internal and external stakeholders.

Working within a fast-paced, hybrid academic–industry environment, this position plays a critical role in advancing the A-CAPP Center’s mission through outreach and education, workforce pipeline development, and program-based revenue generation. The position reports to the Center Director and works closely with other Center leadership and support staff, as well as the Center’s broad group of subject matter experts (SMEs) from multiple industries, organizations and roles.

This position is an annual fixed term academic appointment with a potential for reappointment based on performance and funding. Performance will be measured in part based on success of program metrics, as well as revenue generation. To learn more on academic positions, visit https://hr.msu.edu/policies-procedures/faculty-academic-staff/academic-specialist-handbook/index.html.

POSITION DETAILS

MSU classifies the Director of Education & Industry Programs principal responsibilities as an academic specialist, which falls into one or more of the functional areas of: 1. Academic Advising/Teaching/Curriculum Development 2. Research 3. Service/Outreach. 4. Administrative.

The percent breakdown of this position is: 60% Outreach, 20% Teaching/Curriculum Development, 20% Administrative.

Teaching

• Serve as instructor of record and/or contribute to credit-bearing courses related to brand protection, such as The Brand Protection Experience in the College of Social Science.

Industry-Facing Programming & Engagement

• Strategically lead and contribute Center outreach assets and programs, including but not limited to the annual Brand Protection Strategy Summit, workshops, webinars, and training programs, practitioner-focused initiatives.
• Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders from the brand protection community, including: industry leaders, government and law enforcement, faculty, academic institutions and partner organizations.
• Represent the A-CAPP Center in professional organizations and industry forums to advance outreach of the Centers programs.
• Support and grow program-based revenue through course purchases, sponsorships and gifts to the Center.
• Cultivate and maintain partner relationships to ensure ongoing engagement and growth.

Education Program Leadership

• Lead, develop, refresh, evaluate, and grow A-CAPPs education portfolio offerings (both for-credit courses, non-credit (industry facing) offerings, and student internship/externship program.
• Coordinate curriculum development with subject-matter experts (SMEs); engage experts in the field to support education programming (i.e. mentorship, curriculum development, career pathways, hiring).
• Ensure programs align with the Centers mission, brand, quality standards, and fiscal needs; integrate education initiatives into broader Center programming and outreach.

Required Degree

Masters

Desired Degree

Other

Minimum Requirements

Education:

• Master’s degree or higher (or equivalent experience of 10+ years)

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in:
  • Educational and/or outreach programming, workforce development, training, conferences, events, or related roles
  • Project management, or program coordination
  • Stakeholder engagement across multiple sectors (such as academic, industry, or public sectors)

Other Experience & Qualifications

• Experience with program ownership, including execution, budget management and metrics-based outcomes; Experience with responsibility for project success from start to finish, ensuring momentum without relying on others to initiate action
• Experience driving projects or programs that rely on subject?matter experts, while leveraging their own experience
• Ability to work in ambiguous, fast-paced environments
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Excellent prioritization skills
• Skilled at engaging with varied audiences within an organization and external to an organization and building value through programming and partnerships
• Ability to travel (~10%)

Desired Qualifications

The following qualifications are preferred in addition to the minimum.

Experience:

10 years in:

• Professional or executive education and/or outreach
• Workforce development or applied academic programs

Additional Expertise:

• Strong understanding of intellectual property, brand protection, or related fields.
• Experience representing organizations publicly (media, conferences, external engagements).
• Terminal degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in a relevant field

Required Application Materials

Applicants are required to submit the following materials at the time of application to be considered:

1. Resume or C.V.
2. Cover letter
3. Three current business references, including name, telephone number, and email address, company name and how the candidate knows them.

Review of Applications Begins On

05/08/2026

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Website

https://a-capp.msu.edu/