Assistant Dean for External Relations, College of Engineering

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.

Essential Function 1:

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. Sets goals, priorities, and success measures for external affairs ; establishes operating rhythms such as regular external ‑ affairs reviews, key ‑ account reviews, and annual narrative refresh cycles ; uses data to monitor progress ; and ensures that these functions work together as a coordinated system that delivers measurable improvements in visibility, student outcomes, and external engagement .

Essential Function 2:

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.  Oversees the Director of Marketing & Communications, who leads the College’s marketing and communications program and team, and sets direction, priorities, and expectations so that messaging, campaigns, media outreach, and communication plans that reinforce a coherent College narrative and support the College’s goals for reputation, recruitment, and stakeholder engagement .

Essential Function 3:

Provides strategic direction and oversight for the College’s student career development efforts and employer engagement portfolio. Oversees the work of the Director of the Career Development Office , who leads the College’s career development programs, employer relations portfolio, and team, and establishes goals and expectations so that programs and services support ambitious , measurable targets for internships, experiential learning, and post ‑ graduation outcomes in alignment with undergraduate and graduate academic priorities. Identifies key industry sectors and employers and leads the development of relationships that expand opportunities for students and strengthen the College’s reputation as a source of exceptional engineering talent.

Essential Function 4:

Leads or co ‑ leads major external ‑ facing College initiatives that require coordination across communications, public relations, career services, employer engagement, academic leadership, and central U niversity partners. Designs and manages governance, project plans, and evaluation approaches for these initiatives to ensure they are well ‑ executed , advance the College’s strategic priorities , and make effective use of limited resources.

Essential Function 5:

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. Works with the Director of Marketing & Communications to highlight alumni achievements and impact in college communications, and with the Career Development Office director to leverage alumni networks in employer outreach and student career programming. Advancement strategy and fundraising responsibilities remain with the College’s Advancement leadership , and alumni engagement activities are planned in close coordination with that team .

Essential Function 6:

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. Uses data and dashboards on communications performance, student outcomes, employer engagement, and alumni participation to inform decision ‑ making and continuous improvement in the College’s external affairs portfolio.

Required Skills

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, Public Affairs, or a related field required.
• Master's degree in a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Required Experience:

• 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.
• Supervisory experience with professional staff preferred.
• Experience within higher education, nonprofit, healthcare, or similarly mission-driven organizations strongly preferred.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.