The Associate Director of Business and Community Outreach (BCO), within CMU’s Innovation and Online unit (CMU IO), will be responsible for maintaining a portfolio of existing partners and continuously sourcing new partners that will lead to strategic partnerships focused on educational advancement of individuals and workforce development for organizations. Working within the assigned region of Southwest Michigan, the Associate Director will be based out of Central Michigan University’s site in Grand Rapids, MI and will serve as the primary liaison between external partners and CMU IO in the region, ensuring that all aspects of partnerships are communicated, facilitated, and supported by Innovation and Online. The Associate Director will provide the sole physical presence and support for day-to-day operations at the CMU Grand Rapids Center.

Bachelor’s degree.
Two years of relevant experience in business development, sales, relationship building, education, human resources/training and development, or a related field.
Possession of a valid Driver’s License.
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills including ability and comfortability with presenting.
Demonstrated ability to engage and skillfully influence a diverse clientele across a variety of industries.
Demonstrated ability to project professionalism and a polished business acumen.
Demonstrated ability to be results-oriented, follow through, prioritize, and manage multiple projects at various phases of their life cycle.
Ability to effectively understand and relay the needs of clientele.
Proven ability to work collaboratively within a cross-functional team, often times remotely.
Ability to travel locally/regionally as needed.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Master’s degree or progressively advanced experience in a related field.
Experience working with programs designed for training and development purposes.
Experience working with post-traditional, adult learners.
Proficient in the use of relationship management or workflow management systems.

Acts as a University steward by establishing and maintaining relationships with external stakeholders to form partnerships related to educational and professional learning opportunities for adult learners.
Fosters and supports partner relationships by informing external stakeholders of their partnership status, opportunities for expansion, and outcomes of partnership agreements.
Develops strategic partnerships whilst demonstrating an authentic commitment to and understanding of the organization’s mission, values, and strategic imperatives/SMART goals.
Participates in a highly cross-collaborative environment in the development and implementation of partner agreements and programming that leads to measurable outcomes and impact.
Promotes educational pathways and workforce development opportunities for governmental, business, and community-based organizations.
Assists in preparing a comprehensive annual plan for regional outreach with an understanding of educational and workforce development needs specific to a region or industry.
Works collaboratively within a team to ensure that focus and outreach areas align with the strategic mission and objectives of CMU and Innovation and Online.
Aligns work efforts with established goals/targets for identifying and developing business and community partnerships within the Southwest Michigan region; this may include travel to and meeting with clients outside of the designated region as needed.
Researches, recommends, attends, and participates in appropriate regional and professional organizations or events to represent CMU and extend reach and awareness.
Engages university and stakeholder groups such as Alumni to supplement outreach efforts in the assigned region.
Utilizes internal systems to document and track engagement efforts, contacts, and the status of partnerships.
Provides on-site support of daily facility operations in coordination with the Executive Director of Business Operations.
Communicates site needs and/or facility issues to the Executive Director of Business Operations.
Performs other duties as assigned.

None.

Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering a broadly diverse and inclusive campus that respects all social identities, experiences, and perspectives. In an effort to further this initiative, we are especially interested in candidates who will advance and promote an inclusive and supportive environment for every member of our university community.

You must submit an on-line application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position.

Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit recommendation letters.

Central Michigan University has a more than 125-year legacy of preparing students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities and in their personal and professional lives.

We serve nearly 15,500 students on our Mount Pleasant campus, in satellite locations around the state and throughout the country, and through flexible online programs. Many of our approximately 300 undergraduate, master’s, specialist and doctoral programs in the arts, media, business, education, human services, health professions, liberal arts, social sciences, medicine, science and engineering are nationally ranked for excellence.

CMU leads the nation in leadership development programming through our Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute, and we are proud to be among only 5% of U.S. universities in the top two Carnegie research classifications. Our faculty work with graduate and undergraduate students in areas such as Great Lakes research, medical innovation, engineering technology and more.

Central is home to 17 men’s and women’s Division 1 sports including football, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, wrestling and more. Our student-athletes achieve great success in competition and in the classroom, capturing Mid-American Conference championships and maintaining an average cumulative GPA of 3.17.

CMU is located in Mount Pleasant, a community that blends the best of small-town living with big-city amenities. It’s part of the culturally varied and vibrant Great Lakes Bay Region that also includes Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and the state’s largest Native American community, centered on the Saginaw Chippewa Isabella Reservation in Mount Pleasant.

Area residents enjoy the mix of outdoor activities, cultural events, shopping and dining options, and family attractions. Other major Michigan destinations and attractions — Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City, wineries, beaches, golf and ski resorts, and many more — are within easy reach of the city’s central location in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

CMU employees enjoy access to a nationally recognized wellness program along with health care and benefits that exceed regional, state and national norms.

Central Michigan University is a place where we value students and work for their success, where we act as family, and where employees are engaged, appreciated and have extraordinary opportunities to make a difference.

We intentionally maintain and strengthen the hallmark CMU culture that sets us apart from our peers by expecting CMU leaders and employees to model the following Leadership Standards and develop them within their teams.

Please review the Leadership Standards before applying for this position.

CMU, an AA/EO institution, strongly and actively strives to increase diversity and provide equal opportunity within its community. CMU does not discriminate against persons based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex‐based stereotypes, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status, or weight (see https://www.cmich.edu/offices-departments/OCRIE).

If you wish to see “EEO is the Law” posters, please click here.

CMU does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, including admission and employment, and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 not to discriminate in such a matter.

Inquiries about the application of Title IX can be made to CMU’s Title IX Coordinator, the US Department of Education’s Assistant Secretary, or both.

CMU’s Title IX Coordinator can be reached at:

Phone: 989-774-3253
Office: 103 E. Preston St.
Bovee University Center, suite 306
Mount Pleasant, MI 48858
Email: titleix@cmich.edu