Edtech.com's Summary

The Pennsylvania State University is hiring an Associate Director of College Relations for its College of Agricultural Sciences. This role manages and nurtures relationships with external partners such as industry leaders, government agencies, and non-profits to support the college's teaching, research, and extension missions, while also coordinating major stakeholder engagement and serving as the operational lead for key councils.

Highlights

Manage external engagement strategy in collaboration with the Director of College Relations.
Identify and facilitate partnerships with companies, commodity groups, government leaders, funders, and non-profits.
Oversee communications and operations for the Penn State Agricultural Council and support the Dean's Leadership Council.
Conduct environmental scanning and benchmarking on trends affecting agriculture and stakeholders.
Assist in college relations strategies, communications, presentations, and leadership messaging.
Represent the college at industry events, trade shows, meetings, and conferences.
Coordinate Dean-led industry and legislator tours including logistics and briefing materials.
Provide engagement and communication support for major events such as Ag Progress Days and Pennsylvania Farm Show.
Required qualifications include experience in Relationship Management and Strategic Event Management; CVENT certification preferred.
Salary range is $68,200 to $102,300 with competitive benefits including medical, dental, vision, retirement plans, paid time off, and a 75% tuition discount for employees and eligible dependents.

Associate Director of College Relations Full Description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

POSITION SPECIFICS

The College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State is seeking an Associate Director of College Relations (Industry Relations Coordinator). This role supports the College of Agricultural Sciences by identifying, developing, and maintaining relationships with key external partners — including industry leaders, commodity groups, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and community stakeholders — to advance the College of Agricultural Sciences' teaching, research, and Extension missions.

The position promotes the college's capabilities and impact, supports college relations and issues management, coordinates major stakeholder engagement efforts, and serves as the primary operational lead for the Penn State Agricultural Council and the Dean's Leadership Council. The coordinator designs and implements engagement strategies, provides consultation to internal partners, and represents the college at industry and governmental events to support economic and workforce development in Pennsylvania and beyond.

Duties include:
External Engagement & Stakeholder Coordination:

Implement the college's external engagement strategy in partnership with the Director of College Relations.
Identify, evaluate, and facilitate interactions with external partners, including companies, commodity groups, government leaders, funders, and non-profit organizations, to advance research, outreach, and Extension priorities.
Manage communication and operations for the Penn State Agricultural Council; support planning and engagement for the Dean's Leadership Council.
Build, cultivate, and maintain strategic relationships that expand the college's sphere of influence and support research commercialization, outreach impact, and legislative engagement.
Conduct environmental scanning and benchmarking to identify trends, opportunities, and emerging issues affecting agriculture and the college's stakeholders.

College Relations & Communications Support:

Assist in developing and delivering college relations strategies that elevate the college's visibility and demonstrate measurable impact.
Assist in packaging talking points, briefing packets, stakeholder messaging, presentations, reports, and leadership communications.
Monitor issues and trends related to agriculture, higher education, economic development, and Extension to support strategic outreach and proactive messaging.
Represent the college at industry events, trade shows, meetings, workshops, and conferences; communicate capabilities, research strengths, and partnership opportunities.

Dean's Industry and Legislator Tours:

Coordinate schedules, logistics, outreach, and communications for Dean-led engagement with industry leaders, legislators, and partner organizations across Pennsylvania.
Prepare briefing materials, background research, talking points, and stakeholder profiles to support strategic objectives.
Manage follow-up communications, relationship tracking, and action items to strengthen ongoing collaboration and steward long-term partnerships.

Major Event Support:

Provide external engagement, communications, and stakeholder coordination for key events, including: Penn State Ag Council meetings, Dean's Leadership Council meetings, College Capitol Days, Ag Progress Days, Pennsylvania Farm Show, Keystone Farm Show, Stakeholder roundtables, department visits, and special events.
Collaborate with the College Relations team and the Office of Conferences and Short Courses to ensure alignment, message consistency, and impact reporting.
Develop and deliver presentations, facilitate discussions, and support programmatic content as needed.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Experience in Relationship Management and Strategic Event Management is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

CVENT Certification is preferred.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONSBachelor's Degree3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience

acceptedRequired Certifications:None

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCESEmployment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $68,200.00 - $102,300.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

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Original Job Description