Scheduled Hours
37.5
Position Summary
The Assistant Director of the Office for Socially Engaged Practice is responsible for the strategic direction, operation, and management of the Office for Socially Engaged Practice, which serves as the hub and resource for faculty, staff, and students in the Sam Fox School who intend to work with partners in the St. Louis region on systemic social, economic, and environmental issues. The Assistant Director works in partnership with Sam Fox School administrative entities including the Research Office, Communications, and the Deanâ™s Office, and serves as the liaison to the Gephardt Institute for Civic & Community Engagement, the Office of Sustainability, and University-wide collaborations. The Assistant Director also will liaise with members of the St. Louis community, including non-profits, municipal governments, industry partners, and other stakeholders. The Assistant Director will establish and strengthen the Sam Fox Schoolâ™s role as a model for engaged practice, teaching, research, and outreach within the University and nationally within the disciplines of architecture, art, and design. Building on the Universityâ™s focus on St. Louis, the Assistant Director will lead the process of executing initiatives proposed in the Sam Fox School strategic plan, including greater integration of St. Louis-based engagement and topics into the core curriculum and the development of distinct and robust infrastructure to support faculty research and teaching.
Job Description
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
Sam Fox School St. Louis Community-Based Programs
- The Assistant Director identifies, develops, implements, and manages systems and programs that support students, faculty, staff, and community members in developing mutually beneficial and reciprocal partnerships in the St .Louis community. This includes supporting curriculum, research, outreach, and institutional initiatives, as well as pursuing new opportunities. This builds on existing momentum and trends throughout the academic and professional worlds, including social innovation, entrepreneurship, public interest, social practice, and human-centered design. These initiatives are intended to be reciprocal and mutually-beneficial, where both the University partner and the community partner benefit from the efforts.
- Works with Sam Fox School faculty to support existing community-based projects in art and design and bring new projects to fruition. Establishes and maintains productive and mutually beneficial relationships with community partners; advise faculty, staff, and students on best practices in community engagement and project management; connect community-based design projects with resources throughout the University; manage expectations among key stakeholders; and ensure that discrete projects reach a successful conclusion.
- Provides project management and strategic support for significant institutional initiatives in St. Louis such as the Pulitzer Endowment, the University City Public Art Series, and the Alberti Program (an outreach program for 4th-8th grade youth), including relationship development with partners, budgeting, and long-term planning.
- Develops a system of sustainable project management and coordination for large-scale, longer-term, St. Louis-based community engaged collaborations led by faculty in research, teaching, and service. Identifies needed resources, oversee projects, and seek resources to support these efforts.Â
- Develops tools and guides that outline effective practices for engaged work. Disseminates tools to faculty, students, and community partners. Regularly reviews and revises tools based on learning and feedback.
- Supervises evaluation of programs and partnerships. Develops evaluation measures and ensure completion and dissemination of results and recommendations.
- Manages the CityStudioSTL accounts and funding programs, including Fellowships, Course Grants, and Student Awards; support continued giving to CityStudioSTL and report regularly on the funds.
- Supports academic and research programming related to socially engaged practice, including proposals of new degree programs, such as the Minor in Creative Practice for Social Change. Evaluates feasibility and process of potential opportunities and assemble and lead teams of faculty and staff to pursue development of compelling ideas and potential collaborations into proposals, and ultimately on to execution.
Dissemination, Outreach and Fundraising
- Facilitates the development of new content and create opportunities for outreach and national representation on issues of socially engaged practiced, community engaged teaching, and collaboration. Ensure participation within the St. Louis region and across the fields including architecture, art, design, community development, and public interest design.
- Organizes events/speakers at the University related to topics that address the mission of the Office for Socially Engaged Practice. Collaborates with other groups and individuals (including student organizations) to curate and support events that increase attention and dialogue to relevant topics.
- Communicates with internal and external audiences about status of socially engaged practice in the Sam Fox School through venues including website, newsletter, publications, and social media. Develops, edits, and distributes visual and written content that reflects the efforts of faculty, staff, and community partners.
- Tells the story of engaged practice and work in St. Louis at the Sam Fox School to national audiences through conference presentations, participation in national organizations, published articles, and dialogue with peer institutions. Maintains ongoing contact with peer institutions and organizations nationally.
- Maintains relationships and dialogue with non-profit, government, and funding partners in St. Louis through regular meetings, conversations, and participation in regional events. Be familiar with regional trends, priorities, and approaches.
- Supports Advancement in fundraising and support for engaged practice and St. Louis-based initiatives.
Institutional Relationships
- Serves as a liaison for the Sam Fox School to institutional partners in engaged work, including the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement, the Office of Government and Community Relations, and the Office of Sustainability.
- Collaborates with the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor for Civic Affairs and Strategic Planning on regional initiatives that increase University connection to pressing issues in the St. Louis region.
- Communicates regularly with Gephardt Institute senior staff, including collaboration on pilot programs, information sharing, and thematic development.
- Serves on institutional committees, including Gephardt Institute and other entities, as needed, including faculty engagement, search committees, and application review committees.
Supervise Office Team
- Supervises Office for Socially Engaged Practice student and professional team.
- Supervises one employee working on curricular initiatives and the Alberti Program.
- As qualified, supervises one to three Brown School practicum students as a field instructor. Develops projects tailored to studentsâ™ interests and skills. Provides regular feedback and support for execution of projects.
- Develops a structured Office for Socially Engaged Practice internship program that provides meaningful learning experiences to Sam Fox School students and aligns with needs across the school and community.
- Supervises one to five Sam Fox School interns. Provides regular feedback and support.
Sam Fox School Strategy
- Works with administration in the Sam Fox School to support development of strategy as it relates to socially engaged practice within the Sam Fox School.
- Participates in strategic planning initiatives and provide regular updates to the Sam Fox School administration regarding strategic priorities related to socially engaged practice and engagement in St. Louis.
- Collaborates with other Sam Fox School entities, including Research Office, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Communications, and academic programs, to advise projects and initiatives.Â
Perform Other Duties as Assigned.
Preferred Qualifications
- Masterâ™s degree in related field including design, art, architecture, social work or equivalent years of experience.
- Three years of leading complex, community-engaged projects within institutions or organizations.
- Significant experience developing, evaluating, and refining successful new programs or initiatives.
- Understanding and knowledge of the teaching and practice methods of art, architecture, or design.
- Deep understanding or experience with the St. Louis region, including knowledge of existing relationships, context, and history.
- Ability to effectively interact with university faculty, staff, students, and alumni.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Written skills should demonstrate a wide range of flexibility in format, including web content, journalism, proposals, reports, social media, and other formats, and audiences including students, faculty, alumni, funders, and stakeholders.
- Project development and management skills including demonstrated ability to manifest the vision of an idea, align stakeholders around the idea, create an execution plan, and bring the idea to fruition.
- Experience and sensitivity working in environments of complex power and political dynamics.
- Understanding and a willingness to learn about and interact with a wide range of diverse identities and experiences, including along lines of race, national identity, language, ability, gender, sexual orientation, etc.
- Skills in evaluation, assessment, and reporting. Self-motivated and highly organized with an ability to manage time, set deadlines, and follow-through on projects independently.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelorâ™s degree and three years of experience in partnerships, engagement, project management, or other related area. Â
- One to three years of experience leading complex, community-engaged projects within institutions or organizations.
Grade
G11
Salary Range
$49,000.00 - $83,800.00 / Annually
The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.
Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.
Benefits Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.
EEO/AA Statement
Washington University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to an individualâ™s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability status, protected veteran status, national or ethnic origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation. Women, minorities, protected veterans and the disabled are strongly encouraged to apply.
Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment â“ fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.
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