About MassArt:

Founded in 1873, and celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2023, Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt), is the nation's first and only independent, free-standing public college of art and design in the country. MassArt is an inclusive community of thinkers, doers, makers, educators, innovators and leaders striving to shape the future through art and design. We've spent 150 years demonstrating the truly amazing things that happen when a world-class art and design education is an option for every deserving student. Located in Boston's hub of arts and culture along the Avenue of the Arts, MassArt enrolls 2,000 students and offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in 18 disciplines, as well as continuing education and youth programs.

MassArt strives to be a model of diversity and inclusion; the campus community reflects the layers of cultural and self-identity that proudly make up our region, nation, and world. We build effective partnerships with co-workers throughout the College by freely sharing appropriate information and providing assistance to all and maintain an environment that is welcoming to persons of all backgrounds, nationalities, and roles.

Job Description:

Salary:  $130,000 - $140,000 Commensurate with experience
Position is governed by the Non-Unit Personnel Policies Handbook

To be considered for the position, please apply DIRECTLY to the MassArt employment opportunities page: https://massart.interviewexchange.com/static/clients/576MAM1/index.jsp

Here is what you'll be doing:

Serving as a member of the President's team, the Director is responsible for enhancing the relationship of the College with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Local and Federal partners, Government Officials, Business and Industry partners.

The individual is charged with developing and stewarding close relationships between the College and its various external constituencies at the federal, state, and local levels including secretariats, elected officials, agencies, and quasi-governmental agencies. Additionally, the Director will be responsible for cultivating and maintaining contacts and relationships with local and regional industry leaders and their representatives who share common interests and values with MassArt. The Director will be responsible for staying current and tracking policy discussions regarding, but not limited to, higher education as well as arts and cultural policy and program initiatives and advising on potential opportunities for MassArt's participation.

To meet the goals of the College, the Director is responsible for strategically planning, organizing and directing the College's activities to create and maintain relationships by developing a comprehensive and collaborative approach with public and private entities and leaders.

Specific Responsibilities include:

Work with the College's senior leadership and the College's Board of Trustees to advance a well-coordinated strategy for leveraging their relationships with governmental, civic and corporate leaders to advance the College's interests and generate opportunities for engagement.

Stay current with best practices, legislative activity and policy development as it relates to higher education, cultural policy, workforce development, and other policy areas where arts, culture and design have and can have impact.

Establish well considered, pro-active approaches to bring the College's message of building community through the arts, design, innovation, and education to those in the public and private sectors who recognize and support MassArt's mission and values.

Work in close partnership with the College's Communication and Marketing Office to develop and present a comprehensive portfolio which highlights the work of MassArt through its faculty, students, and alumni.

Develop and sustain strong relationships with external stakeholders including but not limited to elected and appointed officials in state and municipal offices across Massachusetts, as well as our Congressional delegation and appropriate federal agencies to create positive outcomes for MassArt and its students.

Provide leadership and support for a wide range of engagement initiatives such as a business and innovation advisory committee

Work collaboratively with Student Development, Career Services, Admissions office, Institutional Advancement and Academic Affairs as well as private industry, to create partnerships for internships, employment opportunities and resource sharing and to connect the expertise within the faculty, staff, and alumni to external stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum of 7 years of related experience; or the equivalent of education plus relevant work experience is required
• Ability to build trust and strong, authentic relationships with colleagues and a diverse set of stakeholders
• Exceptional follow up on a wide range of inquiries and requests for support
• Creative thinking and problem solving in a collaborative environment
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with a demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple assignments simultaneously, and prioritize time and tasks while adapting to changing needs and priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively to achieve objectives
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy, with a proven ability to handle sensitive data and information with discretion
• The strongest candidates will have experience, expertise, and relationships from working within city, state, and federal government.

Additional Information:

Please note MassArt does not provide:

• Employment-based visa sponsorship or non-student exchange visitor visa sponsorship.
• Reimbursement for travel.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to have received the COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of your start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided during the onboarding process.

MassArt provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, genetic information, pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition, or membership in any other legally protected class. MassArt complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the college operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment

Application Instructions:

Resume/Cover Letter

Finalist(s) will be subjected to a full background review. 

To be considered for the position, please apply DIRECTLY to the MassArt employment opportunities page: https://massart.interviewexchange.com/static/clients/576MAM1/index.jsp

About Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Colleges of the Fenway is a collaborative effort of five neighboring Boston-based colleges in the Fenway area. This collaboration was created to add value to student academic and social life while seeking innovative methods of investing in new services and containing the costs of higher education. Collectively, the colleges represent more than 12,000 undergraduate students, comprising 16.2% of the total Boston population of undergraduates attending four-year colleges, more than 700 full-time faculty, and 2,300-course offerings.

Connections working at Massachusetts College of Art and Design