Jobs at Western

Executive Director, Washington Campus Coalition for the Public Good

Apply now Job no: 501789
Work type: Permanent Full Time
Department: Washington Campus Coalition (3160)
Location: Bellingham, WA
Categories: University Relations & Marketing

Position Title Executive Director, Washington Campus Coalition for the Public Good
About the University

Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western is the highest-ranking public, master's-granting university in the Pacific Northwest, according to the 2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings.

Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive. In pursuit of this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, student, and external constituents. Further, individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic, societal, environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.

About the Department

University Relations and Marketing and supports Western's mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.

Washington Campus Coalition for the Public Good (WACC) is a coalition of over 45 higher education institutions in Washington committed to advancing the public purpose of colleges and universities, educating students about the workforce and civic leadership, and working in partnerships to cultivate vital and sustainable communities across the state. WACC administers multi-state national service grants and federally funded AmeriCorps grants focused on educational equity, improving college access of under-represented students, food security, mental/medical health, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. WACC provides training and networking opportunities to colleges and universities in the areas of educational equity, civic engagement, campus/community partnerships, and program/ federally funded grant management. WACC oversees a statewide student civic fellows’ program and hosts an annual Student Civic Leadership awards program.

Washington Campus Coalition for the Public Good is hosted at Western Washington University in the University Relations & Marketing Division. Western’s mission is to bring together individuals of diverse backgrounds and perspectives in an inclusive, student-centered university that develops the potential of learners and the well-being of communities.

About the Position

The Executive Director for Washington Campus Coalition for the Public Good provides leadership, organizational development, and oversight of a statewide higher education organization. The Executive Director creates and implements strategic plans, seeks, and acquires funding and collaborative partnerships, and develops and maintains high-profile relationships on a local, statewide, and national level, including with private foundations, policy leaders, and academic institutions and organizations. The Executive Director oversees the leadership of a statewide executive board of presidents/chancellors and state leaders and directs and manages a team of professional staff and consultants.

30% - Leadership

  • Serve as chief executive officer, overseeing the development and implementation of strategic initiatives and programs for Washington Campus Coalition for the Public Good
  • Demonstrate thought leadership and vision that drives innovative change in higher education and the community engagement field
  • Cultivate and sustain state, regional, and national partnerships for initiatives that address critical issues facing higher education institutions and their local communities.
  • Represent the organization and Board – meet with funding agencies, elected officials, university and college presidents, community leaders, and other key stakeholders to advocate for higher education and the community engagement field
  • Participate in regional and national consortiums to network and collaborate on common initiatives

15% - Program Development and Training

  • Implements strategies and cultivates partnerships to develop and implement the federally funded AmeriCorps and drafts programs across the state/region
  • Facilitate and lead local, regional, and statewide networking and training events to support member-institutions
  • Hire staff and contractors as needed to meet federally funded AmeriCrops grants and program deliverables

20% - Public Relations, Marketing and Communication

  • Regularly meet with member institutions and stakeholders to inform them of opportunities and impacts of WACC initiatives
  • Outreach to all higher education in Washington to invite participation in WACC initiatives

10% - Convenings/Events

  • Facilitate annual All-President’s/Chancellor’s dialogue on critical issues facing higher education, communities, and the state/region.
  • Facilitate and lead staff and advisory committees on planning and implementing multi-state conferences and initiatives
  • Lead teams to develop and implement annual awards program

15% - Fund Development and Fiscal Management

  • Serve as the financial manager, accountable for budgets, forecasts and stewardship of financial resources
  • Develop funding goals and fiscal strategies for the organization
  • Cultivate and maintain diverse and sustainable sources of funding for the organization and its initiatives
  • Develop fiscal and operational systems for organization and work with host institution departments to assure compliance with state and federal policies and practices

10% - Board Relations and Staff Development

  • Serve an Executive Board of Washington state college and university presidents and community leaders
  • Manage communication with Board members including preparing board packets with budget and report information for board meetings
  • Convene Board twice per year
  • Create and implement staffing plan to meet the deliverables of the organization
  • Hire, train, lead, and support staff

Required Qualifications
  • Higher education degree, preferably in community engagement, education, or related field.
  • 5 or more years leadership experience in community engagement or related fields in higher education, community-based organizations, or government agencies.
  • 5 or more years’ experience consulting, advising or partnering with campuses and/or community-based organizations.
  • Demonstrated experience and skill working with external stakeholders such as funding agencies, elected officials and government representatives, community-based organizations, tribal leaders, corporate leaders, etc.
  • Comfortable and experienced communicating and working with individuals at all levels of an organization and speaking to diverse audiences and stakeholders.
  • Experience and/or training in organizational and/or leadership development.
  • 5 or more years’ experience with grant management, budgeting, and fiscal accountability.
  • Experience and knowledge of higher education policies, practices, cultures, and strategic priorities.
  • Expertise in program development including organizing ideas, grant writing, and creating sustainable program systems.
  • Strong verbal communication skills including public speaking, facilitating, presenting, negotiating, and consensus building.
  • Strong written communication skills including grant development, report writing, outreach and marketing materials.
  • Demonstrated ability to build and promote an equitable and inclusive work environment with a positive and collaborative team culture.
  • 5 or more years of experience supervising professional staff.
  • Self-discipline and motivation; ability to work independently.
  • Willingness to travel.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Ten or more years of experience in a leadership role in higher education or nonprofit agency.
  • Knowledge or experience with state or federal policies.
  • Knowledge of or experience with national service programs.
  • Knowledge of research, assessment, and evaluation principles and practices.
  • Advanced degree.
Conditions of Employment All employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire. Please reach out to HR@wwu.edu if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.
Salary Hiring range is $129,426 - $148,840/year depending on qualifications and experience.  Through longevity this position tops out at $168,254/year.
Benefits Information

Benefits Overview for Administrative Professional Position.

Application Instructions

A cover letter and resume are required and should address your experience related to the position responsibilities and the required and preferred qualifications. Please include the names and contact information of three professional references. References will only be contacted if necessary, with notice provided beforehand.

Closing Date Notes

Application review begins July 5, 2024; position is open until filled.

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policy on Ensuring Equal Opportunity and Prohibiting Discrimination and Retaliation. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3303 or 711 (Washington Relay).

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services at vpsa.office@wwu.edu. The report can be found at: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires which includes a sexual misconduct background check.

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