Portland State University

Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships

Portland State University$100K — $105K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in a related field with 6-7+ years of relevant experience
  • Demonstrated experience managing a team effectively
  • Advanced knowledge of management principles and practices
  • Proven record of solving complex problems across programs and systems
  • Preferred experience with industry, government, or educational institutions

Responsibilities

  • Lead initiatives to strengthen partnerships with industry, government, and community stakeholders
  • Align internal and external strategic priorities to enhance the College's impact
  • Identify and develop opportunities for workforce development and research collaborations
  • Serve as a strategic ambassador to foster collaborations and enhance visibility
  • Coordinate strategic initiatives to advance institutional goals

Benefits

  • 95% premium paid healthcare
  • Generous retirement and vacation package
  • Reduced tuition rates for employees and dependents
  • Comprehensive benefits package with potential for future growth
  • Support for professional development opportunities
Full Job Description
Position Announcement

Position Details

Proposed Start Date
09/01/2026

Classification Title
Academic Services

Rank
N - No Rank

Working Title
Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships

Department
270101 - EAS MCECS Dean Maseeh College

Position Number
D99126

Representation
UU - Unclassified Unrepresented

Renewable
Renewable

End date, if applicable
06/30/2028

Position FTE
1.0

Tenure Status
F - Fixed Term

Position Summary

Position Summary

Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science seeks a collaborative, entrepreneurial, and relationship-driven leader to advance the College's strategic partnerships and external engagement efforts. The ideal candidate is a skilled convener who builds trust across diverse constituencies, identifies opportunities for mutually beneficial collaboration, and translates strategic vision into measurable outcomes that support the College's mission and long-term growth.

The Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships leads and advances initiatives that strengthen the College's connections with industry, government, educational institutions, alumni, and community stakeholders. Working in close partnership with the Dean's office leadership team, the Executive Director identifies and develops opportunities that support enrollment, workforce development, research collaborations, innovation, and community engagement. As a central coordinator for strategic initiatives, the Executive Director aligns internal priorities with external opportunities to expand the College's impact and advance institutional goals.

This is a full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month unclassified position reporting to the Interim Dean of Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science. The incumbent serves as a strategic ambassador for the College, fostering meaningful collaborations and advancing initiatives that enhance institutional visibility, strengthen external partnerships, and support the College's long-term success.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in a related field and 7+ years of progressive professional experience, OR
  • Master's degree in a related field and 6+ years of progressive professional experience.

Leadership Experience: Demonstrated experience directly managing a team of individual contributors.

Domain Expertise: Advanced knowledge of management principles and core practices within the designated functional area.

Problem-Solving Ability: Proven track record of designing systems and solving complex problems that span across multiple programs, systems, and business functions.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience working with industry, government, educational institutions, or workforce development organizations.
  • Experience in business development, economic development, higher education administration, corporate relations, workforce development, or nonprofit leadership.
  • Strong relationship-building and networking skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with executives, community leaders, educators, and government representatives.
  • Experience managing partnerships, strategic initiatives, or external relations activities.
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills.
  • Understanding of higher education, workforce development, and regional economic trends.


Key Cultural Competencies
  • Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
  • Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
  • Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
  • Adhere to all of PSU's policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.


Environmental Stewardship

Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Work Days/Hours

Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement

Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity.

The starting annual salary for this position will be between $100,000 - $105,000 but may be negotiated above this rate dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.

An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools : https://www.pdx.edu/human-resources/benefits-overview

Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package : https://www.pdx.edu/human-resources/psu-total-compensation-calculator

Application Instructions

Additional Information

Additional Application Instructions (deadlines, etc.)

Please include the names, email addresses and phone numbers for 3 professional references.

We encourage you to apply, even if you do not check every box on the preferred qualifications list. We value potential, diverse perspectives, and the ability to build strong partnerships.

Does this position require the employee to drive a motor vehicle?
Yes

Background Check Required
Yes

Position End Date (if applicable)
06/30/2028

If you have questions

Search Details

Posting Close Date

Projected Close Date for Posting
Open Until Filled

Application screening begins
08/01/2026

Quick Link
https://jobs.hrc.pdx.edu/postings/50277

About Portland State University

Portland State University (PSU) is a public research university in Portland, Oregon. It was founded in 1946 as a post-secondary educational institution for World War II veterans. It has a diverse student body of over 26,000 undergraduate and graduate students. PSU offers over 200 undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate programs, as well as continuing education courses. The university is known for its sustainability initiatives and is a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. PSU is also home to the Oregon Center for Aging and Technology, which conducts research on technology for older adults.
Learn more about Portland State University
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3,000 employees
Industry

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