Executive Director, Norse Network Hub

Full time

Northern Kentucky University is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access institution. We embrace inclusiveness, equity, and global awareness in all dimensions of our work and seek excellence through diversity among our students, administrators, faculty, and staff. Application by members of diverse groups is encouraged.

The Executive Director, Norse Network Hub at NKU will direct and implement a comprehensive university engagement strategy, involving the development and execution of a long-term vision for university engagement, aligning with NKU's strategic goals.

Establish a University-Wide Engagement Center
Develop a comprehensive strategy to establish a central hub for engagement, with an initial focus on career development, partnering with academic and administrative units to identify opportunities for collaboration and resource sharing. Lead efforts to organize large-scale career fairs, networking events, and recruitment days, partnering with organizations to create more direct hiring pipelines and showcase student talent to industry leaders. Expand experiential learning opportunities by developing and managing programs for co-ops, internships, externships, and project-based learning collaborations, ensuring they align with industry standards and student skill development.

Foster Strategic Partnerships
Work with university leadership, academic and administrative units to create mutually beneficial relationships with organizations that also enhance the career services/development opportunities for students and alumni, increasing the number of co-ops and internships offered and drive organizational goals related to growing the talent pipeline and overall industry engagement.

Advance University-Wide Engagement
Facilitate and lead campus-wide conversations and initiatives to promote strategic partnerships, collaborating with leadership to secure financial investments from external partners.

Team Management, Oversee Career Services and Student Success
Lead the university's career services office to prepare students for post-graduation success, aligning career services strategies with the overall university mission and external partner needs

Support Faculty and Academic Engagement
Work closely with university leadership in both academic and university advancement and faculty to identify and support strategic engagement opportunities with external partners, facilitating collaborations between faculty and industry experts to advance research and innovation.

Implement a Partner Engagement Model
Collaborate with leadership including the President, Vice President of University Advancement, AVP for Development, and Executive Director for Government and Community Relations to establish a robust partner engagement model, serving as a key liaison for strategic corporate partners, managing relationships and increasing financial investment in the university.

Enhance Alumni Engagement and Career Development
Work with the Alumni Office and Colleges to engage alumni in student career development, develop strategies to expand alumni use of career development tools, fostering stronger alumni connections to the university, and leverage alumni networks to create new partnership opportunities.

Data-Driven Decision Making and Metrics
Design and track key performance indicators for career services and student engagement, ensuring alignment with university-wide goals for student success, engagement initiatives, and employment outcomes.

Resource Development
Identify and pursue funding opportunities to support engagement programs and initiatives. Collaborate with other areas in Advancement on initiatives involving external engagement.

Bachelor's degree preferably with a major in Higher Education Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration or a related field. Master's degree preferred.

10 years of progressive experience with management and budget responsibilities.

Strong knowledge of higher education, university operations, student engagement, and career services, as well as expertise in building and managing partnerships with industry and community stakeholders.

Excellent skills in communication, negotiation, and relationship-building to foster connections across academic units, external partners, and alumni networks.

Strong leadership and management skills, including the ability to lead and motivate teams, analytical abilities, alongside familiarity with digital engagement platforms and career development tools.

Strong project management skills are essential, enabling the effective planning, execution, and oversight of large-scale events and initiatives.

Additionally, expertise in resource development with a passion for higher education and a commitment to student success.