Project Manager of Strategic Partnerships and Engagement

Position Title:

Project Manager of Strategic Partnerships and Engagement

Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs and facilities. 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.

Western Washington University is committed to advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences.

The Decision Sciences Department supports Western’s mission to make a positive impact with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement.

Position:
The Project Manager of Strategic Partnerships and Engagement manages the strategy, development, and execution of initiatives that strengthen the Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management (MSCM) program’s academic excellence, industry engagement, and community collaborations. This role reports to the Chair of the Decision Science Department.

Hybrid work arrangement with regular on‑campus presence and travel to partner sites or events.

This is a part‑time (50%) project employment position anticipated to end June 30, 2026.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic partnership strategy that directly increases program enrollment by at least 10% annually.
• Cultivate and manage partnerships with community colleges to build robust student pipelines.
• Identify strategic community college partners and create clear transfer pathways through articulation agreements, advising collaboration, and early admission opportunities.
• Assess partnership effectiveness on recruitment outcomes and make informed, strategic decisions that advance enrollment goals.

• Lead the development of long‑term, mission‑aligned partnerships with industry organizations to advance MSCM program strategic goals, with a primary focus on securing 5 to 10 new additional internship opportunities annually.
• Align partnership strategy and curriculum with emerging industry trends, including advanced manufacturing, supply chain innovation, AI, and sustainability, to ensure program relevance and prepare students for the future of work.
• Work closely with advancement and corporate relations teams to explore industry investments through partnership agreements, endowed funds, case study team awards, and other sponsorship packages.

• Oversee MSCM faculty signature student‑facing program activities such as case competitions, showcases, and applied learning events to drive engagement, promote experiential learning, and highlight industry collaboration.
• Provide leadership in the planning and execution of high‑impact community engagement events that promote the MSCM program and strengthen stakeholder relationships.
• Manage all aspects of event execution, including planning, logistics, partner coordination, and post‑event evaluation, ensuring a consistent and professional representation of the program.
• Supervise two student program assistants and collaborate with faculty and staff on a regular basis.

• Master’s degree in Business Administration or a related field.
• Minimum 5–10 years of professional experience working in relevant industry sectors, demonstrating strong business acumen and leadership capability to function at an executive level.
• Minimum 5–10 years of progressive experience in partnership development, recruitment, external relations, or strategic initiatives in higher education or related fields.
• Proven track record of building partnerships that result in increased program enrollment or student engagement.
• Strong data literacy and experience using enrollment metrics to track and improve recruitment outcomes.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Experience in student recruitment, admissions, or enrollment management, especially for transfer…