Project Center Director

SU01 Seattle University; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 92,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare plans

Dental & Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Tuition benefit

Transit benefit

Wellness program

Paid holidays

Job summary

Seattle University has an exciting, dynamic opportunity for a Project Center Director to join our community. The Director provides leadership for the College of Science and Engineering Project Center, overseeing staff, recruitment, and external relationships with sponsors.

The role partners with faculty and leadership to deliver sponsored student projects, manage contracts, and coordinate events such as Projects Day. Hybrid on-campus work is available after onboarding.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and five years of successful technical sales or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in oral and written presentations with corporate and governmental managers and groups.
• Background in program development including marketing, sales, event planning, and fundraising.
• Strong ability to develop corporate relationships and work collaboratively within an academic setting.
• All candidates must show a demonstrated commitment to diversity and the university’s mission, vision, and values.

Responsibilities

• Project Recruitment/Business Development: Research potential leads; participate in business development networking activities; create lead lists; develop relationships; develop project concepts collaboratively with sponsor liaisons and SU faculty.
• Contract Management and Sponsor Relations: Identify and refine project scopes; manage contractual materials including IP agreements, sponsor fees, master agreements, and deliverables.
• Marketing Management: Maximize marketing opportunities; engage internal audience of students and faculty; involve alumni and sponsors in events and projects; manage brochures, Projects Day program, website, and social media content.
• Events Planning: Supervise fall workshops and Projects Day; provide administrative support for deliverables, materials, and presentations.
• Program Management: Identify key areas of interest; administer feedback and surveys; address issues and coordinate with stakeholders; manage student relations and budgets.

Skills

Bachelor’s degree

Technical sales

Public speaking

Program development

Corporate relationships

Diversity commitment

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Months Per Year: 12 Work Model: Hybrid Work Eligible Seattle University will be one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit and Catholic universities in the world, educating with excellence at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels.

We embrace an intersectional framework for defining diversity in its broadest sense, including differences in gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, generational history, culture, socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, political perspectives, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status.

Seattle University strives to be a welcome, open and safe campus climate for all who learn, live and work at Seattle University.

Seattle University's Core Competencies Effective Team Collaboration: Works harmoniously with others towards a common goal, leveraging individual strengths to achieve shared objectives. Emotionally Intelligent Communication: Engages in a skillful exchange of information, thoughts, and feelings, verbally and non-verbally. Ethics and Integrity: Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to honesty, professionalism, and alignment with our Jesuit mission in all actions and decisions. Flexibility and Innovation: Embraces change, approaching problems with curiosity adaptability, and is committed to making a positive impact. Mindful Inclusion: Fosters mindful inclusion by consciously creating a workplace that celebrates differences, embraces cultural humility, and empowers uniqueness. Outcomes-Driven Orientation: Sets clear objectives, pursues excellence, and delivers measurable outcomes while upholding Jesuit Catholic values.

Job Description Summary

Seattle University has an exciting, dynamic opportunity for a Project Center Director to join our community. The Project Center Director provides leadership and oversight for the College of Science and Engineering Project Center. The Director manages Project Center staff and operations and leads efforts in project recruitment, industry and community outreach, marketing, contract management, event planning, and program administration. The Director works closely with faculty to support the development and delivery of sponsored student projects. The Director also cultivates and maintains external relationships with companies, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, alumni, and other external partners to recruit project sponsors and expand opportunities for students to engage in meaningful, real-world projects. Major responsibilities include project recruitment, contract management, marketing, events planning, and project management, contract management. Internal engagement with college leaderships, faculty, support staff and students is also required.

Position Description: Essential Job Functions

Project Recruitment/Business Development: Research potential leads; participate in business development networking activities; create lead lists; develop relationships; develop project concepts collaboratively with sponsor liaisons and SU faculty. Work with college leadership, and the development officer to identify strategic external relationship goals for projects and beyond.

Contract Management and Sponsor Relations: Work collaboratively with sponsor liaisons and SU faculty to identify and refine project scopes. Hands‑on management of all contractual materials affiliated with projects to include intellectual property agreements, sponsor fees, master agreements, and deliverables.

Marketing Management: Work creatively to maximize marketing opportunities for program involvement. Appeal to internal audience of students and faculty for program functions, administration and morale. Also engage alumni and potential sponsors to generate interest, attendance, and involvement in program events and ultimately projects. Coordinate all marketing materials for Project Center, including photography and copy for brochures, Projects Day program, website, and social media outlets.

Events Planning: Supervise and execute fall workshops, joint sessions, and the annual Projects Day program. Projects Day planning includes administrative support to students and guidance regarding final deliverables, printed materials, final presentations, and Projects Day conference. Oversee administrative staff in events planning support of these functions.

Program Management: Work closely with department faculty to identify key areas of interest and needs for Project Center. Create and administer all program feedback and surveys for faculty, students, and sponsors. Work with college leadership, students, and department coordinators to address issues and facilitate interactions with the sponsors. Oversee administrative staff on execution of administrative duties to include student relations and budgets affiliated with projects. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and five years of successful technical sales or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. Experience in oral and written presentations with corporate and governmental managers and groups. Background in program development including marketing, sales, event planning, and fundraising. Strong ability to develop corporate relationships and work collaboratively within an academic setting. All candidates must show a demonstrated commitment to diversity and the university’s mission, vision, and values.

Preferred Qualifications

Strong local industry and government contacts. Involvement with local technology groups and societies.

Compensation at a Glance

$91,500 – $98,500

The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, and not based on a candidate’s gender or any other protected status.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Seattle University provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your total compensation package.

Benefits at a Glance

• Choose from three different medical plans, a dental, and vision insurance programs.
• Protect your income with life, short & long-term disability coverage.
• Plan for your future with up to a 10% employer contribution for retirement benefits, comprised of a 5% nonelective employer contribution and an additional dollar-for-dollar match of your voluntary contributions up to a maximum of 5%.
• You may also take advantage of 100% paid tuition benefits for the employee and dependents, a subsidized transportation benefit, a wellness program with free access to an onsite fitness facility, and a wide variety of campus events.
• Enjoy a generous holiday schedule, including a paid Holiday break closure in December, vacation and paid sick leave, and paid community service leave.

For more information explore the Benefits website at: https://www.seattleu.edu/hr/benefits/

Positions designated as hybrid eligible may offer the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule after successful completion of an introductory period of 3–6 months. In these cases, the role typically begins fully on campus to support onboarding and training, with the potential to transition to a hybrid arrangement thereafter. Positions designated as on-site are not eligible for hybrid work and are expected to remain fully on campus. All flexible work arrangements are subject to periodic review and may be modified or discontinued at any time at the university’s discretion.

With a career at Seattle University, you’re joining a community of passionate people dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders and thinkers.

Founded in 1891, Seattle University is a Jesuit Catholic university located on a beautiful campus of more than 50 acres in the dynamic heart of Seattle. Our diverse and driven population is made up of more than 7,200 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs within six schools and colleges.

Seattle University is an equal opportunity employer. In support of its pursuit of academic and scholarly excellence, Seattle University is committed to creating a diverse community of students, faculty and staff that is dedicated to the fundamental principles of equal opportunity and treatment in education and employment regardless of age, color, disability, gender identity, national origin, political ideology, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. The university encourages applications from, and nominations of, individuals who will further enrich the diversity of our educational community.

Our Mission - Seattle University is dedicated to educating the whole person, to professional formation, and to empowering leaders for a just and humane world.

Our Vision - We will be one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit and Catholic universities in the world, educating with excellence at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels.

Our Values Care – We put the good of students first. Academic Excellence – We value excellence in learning with great teachers who are active scholars. Diversity – We celebrate educational excellence achieved through diversity. Faith – We treasure our Jesuit Catholic ethos and the enrichment from many faiths of our university community. Justice – We foster a concern for justice and the competence to promote it. Leadership – We seek to develop responsible leaders committed to the common good.