Associate Director for Community Partnerships and Strategy_UT Social Work

The University of Texas at Austin; Utah; Hybrid; USD 113,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% employer-paid basic medical

Retirement contributions

Paid vacation and sick time

Paid holidays

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin is hiring an Associate Director for Community Partnerships and Strategy in the School of Social Work. The role leads day-to-day operations, aligns cross-unit partnership activities, and builds data-driven insights to guide strategic decisions.

Initial start is January–February 2027 with a 3-year contract and on-site or hybrid work options. Required are a Master’s degree in a related field and 5+ years in partnership or operations leadership, with strong data

Qualifications

• Master's or related degree with substantial equivalent experience.
• Five+ years in partnership, program, or operations leadership.
• Ability to design and run consistent systems for complex work.
• Strong data & information management with reporting experience.
• Excellent written, interpersonal, and facilitation skills.
• Sound judgment handling sensitive partner and donor information.
• Ability to work independently and lead execution in a small team.

Responsibilities

• Oversee partnership operations, data structure, and templates for consistency.
• Support stewardship, recognition, and storytelling with partners and donors.
• Lead cross-unit operational leadership and collaboration across teams.
• Drive partnership reporting, dashboards, and impact measurement.
• Manage day-to-day execution and act for the Director as needed.

Skills

Data management

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Communication

Facilitation

Judgment & discretion

Education

Master's degree in social work or related field

Job description

Job Posting Title

Associate Director for Community Partnerships and Strategy_UT Social Work

Hiring Department

School of Social Work

Position Open To

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours

40

FLSA Status

Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date

Immediately

Position Duration

Expected to Continue

Location

UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details

General Notes About UT Austin: The University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1883, ranks among the 40 best universities in the world with top national programs across 18 colleges and schools. The university is an enduring symbol of the spirit of Texas, driving economic and social progress while serving the city, state, nation and world as a leading center of knowledge and creativity. Our work is inspired by the bold spirit of Texas and our commitment to its people.

About UT Social Work: For more than 75 years, the School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin has led Texas in developing leaders and changemakers committed to advancing society through innovative teaching, impactful scholarship and compassionate service. Ranked as one of the nation's top 10 schools of social work for more than 20 years, UT Social Work pioneers interdisciplinary approaches to social work education. Learn more about UT Austin's mission and values, leadership and strategic plan.

Benefits package

• 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage
• Retirement contributions
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid holidays
• For more Total Rewards, click here

This job description may not include all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described. Even if you don't qualify or have specific experience in every facet of this role, we encourage you to apply for any role you're personally interested in and excited to drive positive change.

Purpose

The Associate Director for Community Partnerships and Strategy serves as the operational lead for the School of Social Work's Community Partnerships and Strategy unit, reporting to the Director for Community Partnerships and Strategy. The position builds and sustains the systems, data, reporting, and processes that connect the School's partnership work into one coordinated, School-wide approach, and leads day-to-day execution of the unit's objectives. This position is based in Austin, TX, with on-site or hybrid work per School policy, and has an anticipated start of January-February 2027. This 3-year, contract-funded appointment is contingent on renewal, which is anticipated but not guaranteed.

Responsibilities

• Partnership Operations and Systems Implement, operate, and continuously improve the systems that support the School's partnership work, including the shared inventory, partnership data structure, taxonomy, and templates. Own the integrity, consistency, and usability of partnership data across the School, setting the standards and practices that let partnerships be seen and connected. Translate strategy and framework into durable operating procedures that scale across units without adding burden.
• Stewardship, Recognition, and Communications Support and oversee stewardship, recognition, and storytelling operations, so priority relationships are consistently maintained and surfaced. Support stewardship and recognition processes in partnership with units and Development, ensuring each priority partnership is owned and sustained over time. Partner with Marketing & Communications to turn documented partnerships into reputation, donor, and community impact.
• Unit Operations and Collaborative Leadership Serve as the primary operational partner to unit liaisons, equipping them with the tools, training, and support to document and steward partnerships well. Lead the operations of a cross-unit partnership working group and drive School-wide adoption of shared partnership practices. Align partnership operations across Development, Marketing & Communications, Academic Affairs.
• Reporting, Measurement, and Strategic Insight Lead partnership reporting, dashboards, and impact measurement that inform the Director, School leadership, and School planning. Develop the baseline metrics and proof-point portfolio that demonstrate partnership impact across identified partnership areas. Translate partnership data into insight that shapes priorities and decisions.
• Unit Leadership and Execution Serve as the operational backbone of Community Partnerships and Strategy, managing execution of its objectives and key results and the day-to-day running of the unit. Act for the Director on operational matters as delegated, and help lead the unit as it builds out. Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work, public administration or affairs, nonprofit management, higher education, or a related field; or a bachelor's degree with substantial equivalent experience.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in partnership, program, or operations leadership, relationship or stakeholder management, or a comparable area.
• Demonstrated ability to design and run the systems and processes that bring consistency to complex, decentralized work.
• Strong data & information management skills, including experience with databases, CRM, or relationship-management tools, and with building reports that inform leadership.
• Excellent written, interpersonal, and facilitation skills, with the ability to work across units and influence without direct authority.
• Sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive partner, donor, and relationship information.
• Ability to work independently, set priorities, and lead execution in a small, growing team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, social work, healthcare, or nonprofit and community-partnership settings.
• Experience standing up a new function, office, or system.
• Familiarity with development or advancement operations, donor or partner stewardship, or community-engaged work.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives or coordinating distributed teams.
• Commitment to the School's mission and to making partnership work visible, consistent, and sustainable.

Salary Range

$125,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

Standard office conditions, with most time spent working with School leadership, unit partnership liaisons, faculty and staff, and community partners during usual office hours. This position is based in Austin, TX. On-site or hybrid work is available per School policy. Work Shift Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 5:00PM. Hours and days may vary due to business needs. Occasional evening and/or weekend work to support partner events and recognition activities.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• Letter of interest
• 3 work references with contact information; at least one should be from a supervisor

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF].

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and if this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act) you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.

Start Here, Change the World At The University of Texas at Austin

Start Here, Change the World At The University of Texas at Austin, tradition meets innovation in the heart of a city that frequents lists of the best places to live and work. Named by Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers for the sixth year in a row in 2025, UT offers both a dynamic work environment and a gateway to vibrant local culture. Whether you're at the forefront of the student experience, conducting world-changing research or supporting the engine that drives Texas’ flagship university, working at UT means making a lasting impact on our city, our state and our world. Our more than 20,000 faculty and staff empower 55,000+ students to challenge ideas, pursue passions and shape their futures. Joining UT, you’ll become part of a community dedicated to making a meaningful impact on campus and throughout the world.

Comments and Inquiries

Email comments to [e-mail]. For questions or concerns regarding equal opportunity only, contact Equal Opportunity Services. Additional information for applicants can be found on the Human Resources web page: Applying for Employment. For more job information, call the Human Resource Service Center at [phone], or toll-free at [phone]. UT Austin is a Tobacco-free Campus