Working/Functional Title
Chief External Affairs Officer
Position Summary
Chief External Affairs Officer provides strategy, vision and leadership for strategic relationships with hospital partners, industry partners, government and community leaders; communications and marketing; and community engagement efforts. This person will develop and implement a strategy for integrating communications, marketing, community and partnership relations, events and engagement efforts across the college. The Chief External Affairs Officer is a member of the senior leadership team and reports to the dean of the College of Human Medicine. As a member of senior leadership team, this position functions as a thought leader, advisor and integrator in support of the college’s mission, vision and values in the development of strategic external initiatives. The Chief External Affairs Officer also participates with the dean in the development of strategies for partnership agreements that further the mission of the college.
This position will also hold the title of Academic Specialist-Outreach.
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities
- Leads and directs external relationships, collaborations, partnerships, and agreements with hospital partners, community partners, and industry partners.
- Provides strategic direction for community engagement, government advocacy and outreach events, and provides oversight for the development and successful implementation of strategic plans for engagement and outreach across the college and in each community where the college has a campus.
- Serves as the lead for external college initiatives and a liaison to external partners, community leaders, other higher education, and industry peers.
- Analyzes external challenges; develops and proposes solutions and ensures resolution is completed.
- Leads special external projects from inception to completion to drive strategic and innovative concepts.
- Provides strategic direction for the office of communications and marketing and provides oversight for the development and successful implementation of an innovative and impactful university marketing and communications plan that enhances the college’s brand and image with internal and external constituencies.
- Leads efforts to integrate communications and engagement activities to ensure all units are identifying ways to enhance and grow the visibility and impact of the college.
- Works with communications staff to develop a strategic communications and marketing plan, develop consistent messaging across the college both externally and internally, and publicize information about progress on key initiatives for the college.
- Coordinates content development and stakeholder input for reports and presentations to diverse audiences including senior executives, the institution at large and external audiences.
- Represents the dean, college and university, as required, at public and private engagements.
Communication/Interpersonal Relationships Interacts with:
- Hospital, community and industry partners to further the educational, research, innovation, clinical, and outreach missions of the college.
- External Organizations/Local/State/Federal Government Entities/Associations to create innovative and strategic partnerships as well as identify and solve problems and challenges
- College leadership team to coordinate and strengthen efforts to achieve the external mission of the college.
- Dean’s office operations and functional units regarding external initiatives and projects.
- Academic affairs, student affairs, community assistant deans, admissions, and research office relative to outreach and engagement with external partners and community campuses.
- VP for Government Relations, VP for Communications and Brand Strategy, and to further the external relations goals and objectives of the college and the university.
- Department Chairs/College/Department Administrators relative to outreach and engagement with external partners and community campuses.
- University/Professional Groups - to participate in activities and exchange information.
- Professional and Clerical Staff - to provide supervision.
Responsibility for the Work of Others
May have first, second and/or third level supervision over regular employees.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Masters -public service, public relations, communications, marketing, development, government relations; or an equivalent
Desired Degree
Masters
Minimum Requirements
The job requires: knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a master’s level degree program in related fields; five to eight years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in public service, public relations, communications, marketing, development, government relations; or an equivalent.
Desired Qualifications
Preference for ten – twelve years of related experience.
Required Application Materials
Cover letter, CV and the one-page description described below:
The college’s mission is to educate exemplary physicians and scholars, discover and disseminate new knowledge, and provide service at home and abroad. Foundational to our work is promoting the dignity and inclusion of all people and responding to the needs of the medically underserved. Please share a one-page description of relevant experience and your interest in joining our team guided by this mission.
Remote Work Statement
MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.
Website
https://humanmedicine.msu.edu/
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
