Assistant to President Strategic Initiatives & External Relations

Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives & External Relations

Job Title Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives & External Relations

Department

Department President's Administration

Job Code

Job Code A13001

Job category

Job category Full Time Staff

Terms and Hours

Terms and Hours Senior Administrator, Full time Exempt

Salary Range

Salary Range Starting salary at $150,000; commensurate with experience

Job Summary

The Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives and External Relations serves as a key advisor on external relations, institutional partnerships, and strategic initiatives that advance the University’s mission and priorities. This position is responsible for cultivating and strengthening relationships with civic, governmental, corporate, ecclesial, and community leaders to enhance the University’s visibility, reputation, enrollment, and long-term strategic position.

Working collaboratively with University’s leadership, this role leads and coordinates high-impact strategic initiatives, facilitates cross-divisional collaboration, and develops partnerships that expand the University’s influence, resources, and engagement beyond the campus. The role serves as a catalyst for innovation and institutional advancement, ensuring alignment between presidential priorities and the successful execution of strategic objectives. This position reports directly to the President.

Core Duties

External Relations & Strategic Partnerships

• Develop and implement the University’s external engagement strategy in collaboration with the President and senior leadership
• Serve as an institutional bridge to connect the University by cultivating relationships with corporate entities, industry sectors, public-sector collaborators, civic, governmental, Holy Cross, nonprofit, and community leaders to advance institutional priorities.
• Assist the President in oversight of the transformation of the University Park district, spearheading strategic partnerships and leading revenue-generating initiatives that support the University’s broader priorities and mission.
• Represent the President and the University at designated community, governmental, ecclesial, and professional events.
• Identify, develop, and steward strategic partnerships, memoranda of understanding, sponsor ships, and collaborative initiatives that advance enrollment, academic excellence, community engagement, and institutional reputation.
• Collaborate with University Relations, Enrollment Management, Marketing & Web Services, and Provost to align external engagement activities with institutional visibility.
• Develop and implement community relations initiatives that strengthen the University’s role as Oregon’s Catholic university and deepen engagement with regional communities.
• Serve as a University representative on civic boards, professional associations, chambers of commerce and community organizations as assigned.
• Support community-facing initiatives, public programs, and community and neighborhood partnerships that enhance institutional impact and visibility.
• Manage strategic sponsorship opportunities and external engagement activities that advance the University’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Assist in planning and executing presidential events, community engagement, and institutional functions.
• Accompany the President to external meetings and engagement events as needed, coordinating with Chief of Staff with on-site briefing and follow-up support.
• Partner with University Relations to coordinate presidential engagement opportunities with alumni, donors, community leaders and strategic partners to support institutional fundraising efforts to meet philanthropic goals.
• Support University Relations and the School of Business in developing and…