Position Details

Position Information

Job Title
Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives & External Relations

Department
President's Administration

Job Code
A13001

Job category
Full Time Staff

Terms and Hours
Senior Administrator, Full time Exempt

Salary Range
Starting salary at $150,000; commensurate with experience

Job Summary

The Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives and External Relations serves as a key advisor on external relations, institutional partnerships, and strategic initiatives that advance the University's mission and priorities. This position is responsible for cultivating and strengthening relationships with civic, governmental, corporate, ecclesial, and community leaders to enhance the University's visibility, reputation, enrollment, and long-term strategic position.

Working collaboratively with University's leadership, this role leads and coordinates high-impact strategic initiatives, facilitates cross-divisional collaboration, and develops partnerships that expand the University's influence, resources, and engagement beyond the campus. The role serves as a catalyst for innovation and institutional advancement, ensuring alignment between presidential priorities and the successful execution of strategic objectives. This position reports directly to the President.

Core Duties

External Relations & Strategic Partnerships

• Develop and implement the University's external engagement strategy in collaboration with the President and senior leadership
• Serve as an institutional bridge to connect the University by cultivating relationships with corporate entities, industry sectors, public-sector collaborators, civic, governmental, Holy Cross, nonprofit, and community leaders to advance institutional priorities.
• Assist the President in oversight of the transformation of the University Park district, spearheading strategic partnerships and leading revenue-generating initiatives that support the University's broader priorities and mission.
• Represent the President and the University at designated community, governmental, ecclesial, and professional events.
• Identify, develop, and steward strategic partnerships, memoranda of understanding, sponsorships, and collaborative initiatives that advance enrollment, academic excellence, community engagement, and institutional reputation.
• Collaborate with University Relations, Enrollment Management, Marketing & Web Services, and Provost to align external engagement activities with institutional visibility.
• Develop and implement community relations initiatives that strengthen the University's role as Oregon's Catholic university and deepen engagement with regional communities.
• Serve as a University representative on civic boards, professional associations, chambers of commerce and community organizations as assigned.
• Support community-facing initiatives, public programs, and community and neighborhood partnerships that enhance institutional impact and visibility.
• Manage strategic sponsorship opportunities and external engagement activities that advance the University's mission and strategic priorities.
• Assist in planning and executing presidential events, community engagement, and institutional functions.
• Accompany the President to external meetings and engagement events as needed, coordinating with Chief of Staff with on-site briefing and follow-up support.
• Partner with University Relations to coordinate presidential engagement opportunities with alumni, donors, community leaders and strategic partners to support institutional fundraising efforts to meet philanthropic goals.
• Support University Relations and the School of Business in developing and executing a strategy to identify, cultivate, and to secure major and principal gifts, including prospect identification, relationship development, engagement opportunities, as well as president involvement.

Strategy & Presidential Initiatives

• Lead and coordinate cross-functional strategic initiatives on behalf of the President, serving as a connector across University divisions and external stakeholders to advance presidential priorities, institutional partnerships and strategies to translate our work into commercial products, scalable startups, and regional economic growth through external partnerships.
• Advise the President and other institutional leaders to reimagine the University's engagement across hospitality, entertainment, and sports-unlocking the full potential of campus facilities, services, and branded experiences.
• Support implementation and communication of the University's Strategic Plan.
• Monitor higher education, demographic, economic, political, and community trends to inform institutional planning and executive decision-making.
• Track progress on presidential priorities and strategic initiatives, ensuring accountability and timely execution across participating departments.
• Develop analysis of initiatives and provide recommendations for presidential consideration.
• Facilitate strategic planning sessions, cross-divisional working groups, and institutional task forces.
• Support change management and stakeholder engagement efforts associated with major institutional priorities.

Government & Public Affairs

• Serve as a key liaison with local, state, and federal government partners.
• Coordinate government and public affairs activity in collaboration with University leadership and external representatives.
• Monitor legislative and public policy developments affecting higher education and provide updates to the President and senior leadership, working collaboratively with the Chief of Staff.
• Identify and develop city and regional corporate initiatives that align university assets with industry needs.
• Cultivate and manage relations with external organizations that support the University's mission, visibility, and strategic priorities, working in alignment with University Relations.
• Collaborate with University Relations, Academic Affairs, and Financial Affairs to explore partnership, sponsorship, grant and investment opportunities.
• Oversee the management of the University's public statements and professional relationships with journalists and media outlets, inclusive of crisis management communications.

Otherduties as relevant to the duties of the position or as assigned by supervisor or supervisor's designee.

Please note that the above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position's purview and responsibility.

Education & Experience

• Required: Bachelor's degree in relevant field of study.
• Required: Five to seven years of progressive leadership within higher education, education and/or non-profit organizations, inclusive of public affairs, community engagement, external relations, and/or policy administration experience.
• Required: Experience in leading cross-functional initiatives and driving organizational priorities, and proven fundraising metrics.
• Required: Experience building relationships with civic, governmental, community and corporate leaders and representing an organization to external audiences.
• Strongly Preferred: Experience working with executive leadership, governing boards, elected officials, and/or high-level stakeholders.
• Preferred: Familiarity with Catholic education governance.
• Preferred: Advanced degree in relevant field.
• Or equivalent education and/or experience.

Certifications & Licenses

• Required: None.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to learn, respect, and contribute to the mission of the University of Portland.
• Ability to articulate and integrate Catholic social teaching and ethical principles into institutional leadership.
• Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication.
• Strong political acumen, diplomacy, and relationship management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate collaboration, build consensus, and influence without direct authority.
• Demonstrated ability to operate at a strategic executive level with sound judgment and discretion.
• Strong understanding of compliance frameworks and regulatory environments.
• Strong project management, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent ability to work appropriately with confidential and/or sensitive information.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work effectively independently as well as in a team setting; ability to effectively receive supervisory direction.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships, professional rapport, and effectively accomplish work within a university setting that includes a wide array of policies, processes, individuals, and groups.
• Demonstrated competence and commitment to inclusive excellence; ability to be an effective partner with diverse students, faculty, and staff.
• Effective ability to use and learn computers, technology, software, and applications at level of sophistication required for the duties of the position, including, without limitation, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), the internet, and computerized maintenance management systems.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently: sit, perform desk-based computer tasks; use fine manipulation and grasp; use a telephone; write by hand; sort and file paperwork.
• Occasionally: stand and walk; twist; lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh up to 25 pounds.
• Occasionally: ability to attend events and activities on or off campus.
• Frequently: ability to interact and communicate with members of the University and others as necessary.
• Frequently: ability to work flexible and irregular hours, including mornings, nights, holidays, and weekends as necessary.
• Travel: ability to travel.

Working Conditions

• Hours of employment: sometimes may require working flexible and/or longer hours, including nights and weekends, when necessitated by projects.
• Stress from work-related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters.

Work Standards

• Promote culture of safety: demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Compliance with laws and policies and procedures: subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University, departmental, and other applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to, the personnel, business, and/or other policies of the University.
• Compliance with driving-related laws and requirements: when conducting university business while driving, must comply with the Oregon Vehicle Code and University of Portland driving requirements.
• Interpersonal skills: demonstrates the ability to work professionally with all University of Portland community members, external organizations, and any other person or organization the employee interacts with in his or her University capacity.

Benefits

Medical and dental insurance, life insurance, sick time and vacation time consistent with University policies, long-term disability insurance, flexible spending account benefits, tuition remission benefits generally starting after 90 days (employee) or 2 years (spouse and children) of employment, retirement contributions generally starting after 2 years of employment, and eligibility for the University's home purchase assistance program consistent with program requirements. (Benefits are subject to all relevant University policies, practices, contracts, and any other relevant materials.)

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number
S393-2023

Number of Vacancies
1

Estimated Start Date

Open Date

Close Date

Open Until Filled
No

Special Instructions Summary