Director of External Relations and Engagement

Supports the College of Arts & Sciences external relationships taking the primary role in planning and managing events MOUs and communications relating to activities/programming that involves external audiences: alumni and donors VIP guests corporate partners pipeline program partners and experiential learning support partners. Supports the dean and associate deans on matters relating to communications fundraising donor & alumni relations and stewardship scholarships special events and experiential learning activities. Serves as Deans Office coordinator & facilitator of staff meetings as needed in the College.

• Administers the Colleges Foundation accounts on behalf of the dean including administration of the A&S Deans Office scholarships (e.g. managing overall budget of approximately $800000 available for AY 2024-25); collaborates with the Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships regarding scholarship/award processes procedures and communications; advises A&S chairs/directors faculty and staff regarding Foundation account issues. Serves as Deans Office coordinator with units across the College supervising unit-level scholarship/awards processes; troubleshoots scholarship management system (AcademicWorks) across the College.
• Manages events and communications for the College that involve external partners such as Homecoming activities and alumni and development stewardship events at the direction of the Dean and University Advancement. Coordinates planning of College of Arts & Sciences Leadership Council meetings as well as additional unit-level alumni/friends advisory boards as needed. Works with the University Advancement division on the Deans schedule and travel related to the cultivation of current and new donors. As needed and at the direction of the Dean and University Advancement provides personalized stewardship for college donors potential donors alumni friends and special guests. Represents the College and Dean on various committees such as the Commencement committee and at other events and meetings as needed.
• Serves as first point of contact on agreements/MOUs with external entities and supports College engagement with those entities. Collaborates with the Associate Dean for Curriculum by facilitating the review and completion of MOUs relating to pathways into the College from community colleges via CCP or other transfer agreements. Collaborates with the Associate Dean for Experiential Learning by overseeing MOUs relating to internship placements and other experiential learning agreements with corporations nonprofits or other institutions. Supports Dean and Associate Deans in building programming/events involving external partners.
• Oversees internal and external communications strategies processes and priorities for the College in support of the Deans vision. Supervises A&S Marketing Projects Manager and serves as second-line supervisor for student graphic designer.
• Convenes staff meetings within the College toward supporting professional development programming and trainings. Serves as Deans Office support for peer-to-peer mentoring program among staff across the College. Coordinates the meeting agenda for monthly Deans Office all-team meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

The following Degree is required:

• Bachelors degree required. Successful candidate must have Bachelors degree conferred at the time of application.

• 3 years of experience in higher education academic affairs environment
• 2 years of event planning or project management experience
• 1 year of supervisory experience

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Interpersonal and communication skills; social skills are especially important for designing events and interacting with alumni donors and friends of the College
• Outstanding writing skills for letter and memo writing report generation proofreading and editing
• Troubleshooting and analytical skills related to handling personnel problems technology space utilization etc.
• Budgetary management skills including forecasting balancing/reallocating of funds evaluation of expenses and income
• Must be able to effectively evaluate and use data as well as generate and interpret spreadsheets and budget reports
• Knowledge and experience related to successful organizational communications to both internal and external audiences
• Experience in overseeing and executing events involving VIPs
• A general understanding of college curriculum and experiential learning
• Organizational skills and effective time management strategies
• Must possess the ability to be innovative and react accordingly in a fluid environment
• Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word and Excel
• Helpful would be knowledge of Blackbaud Raisers Edge NXT (University Advancement alumni/donor database) AcademicWorks (BGSUs scholarship management software) and PeopleSoft/CSS (BGSUs student data software system) or equivalent software platforms

Required Documents to Upload to Application: Cover Letter and Resume

Deadline to apply: The search committee will review applications until the position is filled; however for best consideration applications should be provided by November 28 2025.

BGSU does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term.

Bowling Green State University is an Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer. We are committed to ensuring an equal employment opportunity for all applicants and encourage applications from all regardless of sex race veteran-status disability age gender identity genetic information religion or sexual Know Your Rights Poster: compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Bowling Green State University please call or email.

BGSUis an E-Verify employer. If hired into this position you will be required to provide satisfactory proof of employment eligibility by providing acceptable original forms of identification for employment verification via the Federal I-9 employment verification process. A list of acceptable documents can be seen here: Experience:

Director