Position Purpose:
Reporting directly to the President and serving as a member of the University Cabinet, the Executive Director of Campus and Community Relations functions as a strategic advisor and integrator for university priorities. This role advances the University's mission by aligning institutional strategy, executive initiatives, and regional engagement. The Executive Director provides leadership across campus and community partnerships, ensuring that high-impact initiatives are strategically conceived,…
coordinated, executed, and assessed. The position serves as a central point of integration between the President's Office, Cabinet, internal stakeholders, and external partners to drive institutional momentum, coherence, and reputation.
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:
Executive Leadership & Supervision
- Serve as a senior advisor to the President and an active member of the President's Cabinet and Senior Administrative Council, contributing to enterprise-level planning, policy development, and strategic decision-making.
- Partner with Cabinet colleagues to lead and advance high-priority institutional initiatives, including the continued development of signature efforts such as the Institute of Applied Artificial Intelligence and the Honors College.
- Provide executive leadership and strategic supervision for the following service areas: Office of the President, University Communications, University Events, and Regional Engagement, including Youth Outreach. Ensure alignment with institutional priorities and Minnesota State policies, university procedures, and collective bargaining agreements.
- Lead and steward assigned operating and programmatic budgets in support of institutional goals and fiscal sustainability.
- Collaborate with University Events, Human Resources, and the Campus Climate team to design and deliver high-impact experiences that strengthen engagement, belonging, and organizational culture.
- Advance the University's Equity 2030 commitments through strategic leadership, accountability, and integration of equity principles across initiatives and operations.
- Sustain strong, transparent, and collaborative relationships with collective bargaining units and campus leaders to support a high-functioning and mission-aligned workplace.
Regional Engagement
- Serve as the University's lead administrator for regional engagement, one of the four strategic plan pillars for the university, ensuring the effective implementation of strategic initiatives that strengthen MSUM's role and impact in the region.
- Collaborate with the Vice President for Advancement to maintain and grow positive relationships with local, state, and federal officials, the Minnesota State system office, and key public-sector partners.
- Position MSUM as a trusted and valued partner within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, the City of Moorhead, Clay County, and the broader region.
- Cultivate and advance high-impact partnerships with corporate, nonprofit, and community organizations, including coordination of civic engagement efforts with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the Office of Community Engagement.
- Partner with the Foundation and Alumni Relations team to align presidential priorities with advancement, fundraising, and alumni engagement strategies that elevate the University's regional profile.
- Lead coordination of strategic initiatives with external agencies to expand institutional influence, resources, and community impact.
Strategic Communications
- Provide executive leadership for strategic communications related to major institutional events and moments, including town halls, welcome programs, commencement exercises, and signature celebrations.
- Develop and implement integrated communication strategies that advance campus-wide initiatives, reinforce institutional priorities, and ensure message clarity and consistency.
- Collaborate closely with University Communications and Marketing to strengthen MSUM's brand, visibility, and reputation with internal and external audiences.
- Partner with the MSUM Athletics administrative team to advance communications and marketing efforts that support external relations, partnership development, and fundraising.
Salary Range:
$114,094 - $181,855 annually.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Master's degree in public or business administration, higher education administration, communications, organizational leadership, political science, or a closely related field.
- Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible leadership experience.
- Experience supporting complex organizational decision-making, strategic initiatives, and institutional priorities.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Earned doctorate or terminal degree in a relevant field.
- Experience working within a multi-campus system or large public institution.
- Experience working with state or local government, legislative relations, or public affairs.
- Knowledge of emerging trends, challenges and opportunities, current standards, and effective practices in higher education and university operations, at the international, national, and state/system levels.
Other Requirements:
- The successful candidate must be able to lawfully accept employment in the United States by the day employment begins. The University regrets that we are unable to offer H-1B sponsorship at this time.
- A completed application will include a resume or CV.
Work Shift (Hours / Days of work):
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM.
Telework (Yes/No):
No