Assistant Dean for External Relations, College of Engineering

Boston University • Boston, MA

2d

About The Position

The Assistant Dean for External Relations supports the Dean in advancing the College of Engineering’s visibility, reputation, and external relationships in support of its academic and research mission. Reporting directly to the Dean and serving as a member of the Dean’s leadership team, this position provides strategic leadership and coordinated oversight for four core external affairs pillars: brand and narrative (marketing, communications, and public relations); student outcomes and pathways (career development); employer, industry, and civic partnerships; and selected alumni activities. The College has approximately 150 faculty, 100 staff, and 3,000 students. The position is results-oriented, with clear accountability for measurable progress in the College’s visibility and brand, student internship and post-graduation outcomes, and the depth and quality of key external relationships. The Assistant Dean leads the development and implementation of an integrated external affairs strategy, ensures that marketing and communications and career development functions operate as a coordinated system rather than separate units, and partners closely with academic and administrative leaders so that external efforts align with college priorities and resources. This position requires an individual with strong leadership and management skills; exceptional judgment and diplomacy; and demonstrated strength in strategic thinking, project management, and building productive relationships with employers, alumni, and other external stakeholders. The successful candidate will be an excellent communicator, experienced using data to inform decisions, and adept at working collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and central University partners to design and deliver initiatives that enhance the College’s impact and reputation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, Public Affairs, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in external affairs, communications, advancement, alumni relations, government relations, public affairs, marketing, or related functions.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic communications, engagement, or outreach initiatives.
• Experience managing relationships with external stakeholders, including alumni, donors, corporate partners, community organizations, and government agencies.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects and initiatives in a complex organizational environment.
• Experience within higher education, nonprofit, healthcare, or similarly mission-driven organizations strongly preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in a related field preferred.
• Supervisory experience with professional staff preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development and implementation of an integrated external affairs strategy that aligns marketing and communications, student career development, employer engagement, external partnerships, and selected alumni activities with the College’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Provides strategic leadership for the College’s marketing, communications, and public relations efforts to strengthen visibility, reputation, and the distinctive brand of BU Engineering among prospective students, peer institutions, employers, alumni, and other external audiences.
• Provides strategic direction and oversight for the College’s student career development efforts and employer engagement portfolio.
• Leads or co-leads major external-facing College initiatives that require coordination across communications, public relations, career services, employer engagement, academic leadership, and central University partners.
• In collaboration with Advancement and central alumni relations, engages alumni as mentors, speakers, project sponsors, and career connectors for students, and as partners in building employer relationships and industry pipelines.
• Collaborates closely with the Dean, the Associate Dean for Finance and Administration, the Associate Deans for Undergraduate and Graduate Programs, and other College and University leaders to ensure that external affairs activities are informed by data, coordinated with academic and operational planning, and effectively represented in college- and University-level discussions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior