Associate Director for Outreach and Engagement

University of Wisconsin Madison•Madison, WI

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Wisconsin Aquatic Sciences Center (ASC) is a statewide leader in multidisciplinary research, education, and outreach focused on the protection and sustainable use of Wisconsin’s water resources—including lakes, rivers, groundwater, wetlands, and the Great Lakes. The Center administers two federally authorized programs: the Wisconsin Sea Grant College Program (funded by NOAA) and the Water Resources Institute (funded by USGS). Together, these programs invest over $6 million annually in research, education, and outreach and engagement activities that serve Wisconsin and the broader Great Lakes region. Both programs function as competitive grant programs supporting universities, communities, and partners statewide. ASC supports a network of approximately 30 staff located across Wisconsin who collaborate with universities, Tribal Nations, state and federal agencies, local communities, and industry partners. Over a dozen of our staff serve as statewide scientific experts across a variety of important topics such as coastal engineering, contaminants, aquatic invasive species, fisheries and aquaculture, coastal tourism, nutrient management, social sciences, and environmental education - conducting scientific research and engaging with communities directly to support their needs. The Associate Director for Outreach and Engagement provides strategic direction and oversight for outreach and engagement programs across Wisconsin Sea Grant and Water Resources Institute activities. This role ensures strong integration of research and community engagement across programs and statewide and national networks. The position reports to the Center Director and serves on the ASC leadership team.

Requirements

At least 5 years of professional experience in program or project management within research, extension, outreach, or a related field
At least 3 years of experience supervising, mentoring, and developing personnel, with demonstrated ability to lead teams toward shared goals
Experience managing budgets, grants, or complex projects with multiple stakeholders
Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Experience engaging with community members on a shared interest or project
Master’s degree (required) in environmental science, natural resources, social science, public administration, or a related field

Nice To Haves

8–10 years of progressively responsible experience in extension, outreach, or applied research programs
Demonstrated success integrating research, education, and outreach to achieve measurable impacts
Experience securing and managing external funding, including federal grants (e.g., NOAA, USGS, or similar)
Experience working in coastal, freshwater, or Great Lakes systems and communities
Experience with strategic planning, program evaluation, and reporting
Demonstrated success building partnerships across academic, governmental, Tribal, nonprofit, and community organizations
Experience with the full spectrum of community engaged research, from translating scientific or technical information for non-technical audiences, to working alongside community members on community driven projects where community agency, autonomy, and self-determination are valued and centered.
Familiarity with Sea Grant, Water Resources Institutes, or similar statewide or national programs
PhD (preferred) in environmental science, natural resources, social science, public affairs, or a related field

Responsibilities

Serves as a unit liaison to internal stakeholder groups to foster cross-unit partnership efforts regarding research programs and activities
Manages large research projects for a center or program
Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
Collaborates with project directors and the full range of clients whose knowledge and expertise varies
Provide the overarching vision, implementation, and supervision of ASC’s statewide outreach and engagement portfolio.
If applicable, maintain an active program of independent or collaborative scholarly research, including securing external grants and publishing peer-reviewed findings.
Align the center’s outreach and engagement capabilities with emerging freshwater challenges, state and federal program goals, and regional partnership networks.
Assists with planning, implementation, and management of strategic initiatives for a center or program
Serves as a consultant to project directors and provides technical expertise to research and operational personnel
Determines unit personnel needs and the unit personnel resource allocation plan