Human Resources

Job Description Summary

The Enterprise Program seeks a highly motivated, collaborative, and creative individual for the open position of Assoc Dir - Experiential Learning Partnerships. The Associate Director builds positive relationships to successfully grow and sustain external support for Senior Capstone Design projects. A primary responsibility of this position is developing proposals for industry-sponsored projects, student competition teams, program initiatives, and associated events. Additionally, this role supports the development and execution of university-level engagement strategies with key corporations, industrial partners, and philanthropic donors. Moreover, the Associate Director supports the broader goals and growth of the Enterprise Program through the support of day-to-day program coordination, assessment, events, and other initiatives as needed. The position will be primarily performed on-site, but may provide an option of working remotely. Salary is negotiable and is based on experience.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities (other duties may be assigned)

● Solicit and secure external sponsorship for the Enterprise and Senior Design programs through multiple channels including unrestricted gifts, grants, and contracts.
● Develop proposals for externally sponsored projects, Design Expo event support, and other program-level initiatives.
● Scope student projects that balance: 1) the needs and interests of external sponsors across multiple industries and settings, 2) the capabilities of undergraduate students, 3) the University resources and available facilities, and 4) the educational outcomes of these programs.
● Actively build, maintain, and expand a network of industry sponsors and program supporters.
● Develop and document a sponsorship forecast and annual plan to meet fundraising goals.
● Host campus visits of external partners and meet face-to-face at their facilities as required.
● Serve as a point-of-contact to steward current relationships and develop strategic approaches with industry, foundations, alumni, non-profits, corporate/university relations team representatives, and other external agencies.
● Assist and support broader University engagement strategies with key partners, in coordination with the Corporate Council.
● Develop and maintain positive relationships with a diverse group of internal stakeholders from multiple academic units and administrative departments.
● Interact with student teams and serve as a program-level resource, mentor, and role model.
● Support the Enterprise Program Director in management of program activities and initiatives as required.
● Supervisory Responsibilities
● Administrative supervision may be exercised over student employees

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures (minimum requirements)

● A bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or associated discipline

Required Experience (minimum requirements)

● Five years of full-time, professional experience as a practicing engineer
● Experience in engineering, technical sales, and/or fundraising
● Demonstrated program/project management experience
● Experience setting and meeting deadlines and organizational performance goals
● Experience using personal computers – MS Office and/or Google Suite software

Desirable Education and/or Experience

● 7-10 years of full-time, continuous professional experience
● MBA and/or MS degree
● University fundraising experience securing industrial support for educational and/or research programs.
● Experience using a customer relationship management (CRM) platform, such as Salesforce

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities (minimum requirements)

● Excellent oral communication; ability to communicate benefits and value to multiple program stakeholders via phone, face-to-face meetings, and presentations
● Excellent written communication; ability to generate high-quality proposals, presentations, promotional materials, reports, etc. suitable for multiple stakeholder audiences
● Strong organizational, planning, negotiation, and decision-making skills
● Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with individuals, businesses, and corporations
● Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of stakeholders in support of program objectives
● Ability to work with accuracy and attention to detail
● Ability to work independently and take initiative to solve problems
● Ability to travel up to 20%
● Ability to give constructive practical technical feedback in periodic student team reviews
● A genuine interest in the success of all students

● Excellent oral communication; ability to communicate benefits and value to multiple program stakeholders via phone, face-to-face meetings, and presentations
● Excellent written communication; ability to generate high-quality proposals, presentations, promotional materials, reports, etc. suitable for multiple stakeholder audiences
● Strong organizational, planning, negotiation, and decision-making skills
● Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with individuals, businesses, and corporations
● Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of stakeholders in support of program objectives
● Ability to work with accuracy and attention to detail
● Ability to work independently and take initiative to solve problems
● Ability to travel up to 20%
● Ability to give constructive practical technical feedback in periodic student team reviews
● Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries and work harmoniously with diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

● Knowledge of fundraising, sales, and negotiation strategies in a higher education environment
● Technical/engineering knowledge across multiple disciplines and industrial settings.

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

The primary work environment is an office environment. Occasionally this position may need to meet with students, advisors, and/or industry sponsors in campus lab/shop environments. The physical demands are representative of an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.

Required University Training:

• Employee Safety Overview

• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training

• Annual Data Security Training 

• Annual Title IX Training

Background Check:

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Other Conditions of Employment:

The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment. Visa sponsorship is unavailable at this time. This is not an E-Verified Position.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities

1.00

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

12 months

Shift

1st Shift

Pay Rate/Salary

Negotiable, No less than $60,000

Title of Position Supervisor

Director, Enterprise Program

Posting Type

Dependent on Funding

Special Instructions to Applicants (if applicable)

Additional Information