Director

Michigan State University seeks an accomplished, visionary leader to serve as the Director of the Center for Community and Economic Development (CCED). This role offers a unique opportunity to lead a long-standing, mission-driven center at a pivotal moment for both CCED and Michigan State University. Reporting directly to the Vice Provost for University Outreach and Engagement, the Director provides leadership, strategic direction, administrative oversight, and external engagement for the Center’s full portfolio of research, outreach, partnerships, and community-based initiatives.

The Director is responsible for advancing CCED’s mission in alignment with Michigan State University’s land-grant values by fostering responsive engagement, strategic partnerships, collaborative learning, and applied scholarship that address the needs of distressed communities across Michigan and beyond. The position carries broad responsibility for organizational leadership, fiscal stewardship, personnel management, external relations, grant and contract administration, and institutional representation.

The ideal candidate for this position is a collaborative and visionary leader with a strong record of community-engaged scholarship, partnership development, and organizational leadership. They will bring experience advancing community and economic development initiatives, securing external funding, and leading multidisciplinary teams, along with a commitment to Michigan State University's land-grant mission and the ability to translate research into meaningful community impact. Tenured faculty at MSU are strongly encouraged to apply.

Minimum Requirements

• An earned terminal degree (MA or PhD) from an accredited university in an academic field related to community development, community sustainability, promoting community well-being, and addressing significant social issues at the community-level.
• A record of effective outreach, scholarship and interdisciplinary team leadership that warrants a minimum appointment at the rank of senior academic specialist within UOE or an academic unit in Michigan State University.
• 3+ years of experience in academic leadership and administration.
• Demonstrated success in supporting faculty development and success in mentoring students, interdisciplinary university/community research partnerships, scholarship, and creative activities.
• Demonstrated success in supporting staff well-being and professional growth.
• Demonstrated success in working in a multicultural environment.

Desired Qualifications

• An engaged scholar with a PhD in an academic field related to community development, community sustainability, promoting community well-being, and addressing significant social issues at the community level.
• Demonstrated success in developing innovative scholarly outreach programs that proactively address interdisciplinary trends and emerging challenges in Michigan’s communities or communities in other states or municipalities.
• Demonstrated success in communicating the impact of scholarship via peer-reviewed academic publications, technical reports, policy briefs, academic and community presentations, op-ed essays, or other popular media outlets.
• A demonstrated record of transparent decision-making in policy, strategies, and experience managing large budgets in a complex organization.
• Experience in promoting entrepreneurial efforts by developing programs that serve the community, faculty and students.
• A clear understanding of leading-edge methods and instructional technologies that support outreach to diverse on and off-campus populations.
• Articulates a clear understanding of and vision for the future direction of community and economic development.
• Demonstrated success in cultivating philanthropic, external funding, and development opportunities to advance the mission of CCED, UOE and the University.
• Superior written and oral communication to advance the mission and vision of the center and UOE.