Executive Director – Outreach and Community Engagement Position Available In Faulkner, Arkansas

Executive Director – Outreach and Community Engagement
University of Central Arkansas
in Conway, AR

Apply Now Type:

Full-Time

Posted:

06/19/2025

Application Due:

07/15/2025

Category:

Extension and Outreach; +1 Conference and Events Administration Position Overview The University of Central Arkansas invites nominations and applications for the position of Executive Director of the Office of Outreach and Community Engagement. The Executive Director provides strategic vision and leadership for community-based programs and partnerships that align with UCA’s mission to advance learning, engagement, and service. The successful candidate will be an experienced and collaborative leader who understands the role of public higher education in regional development, civic engagement, and lifelong learning. The Executive Director will work across the university to strengthen partnerships with community organizations, governmental agencies, K-12 schools, nonprofit entities, and business leaders—serving as a bridge between the university and the broader public. Primary Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership, administrative oversight, and promotional activities for all outreach and community engagement initiatives and venues.
• Lead a team of professional staff and coordinate efforts related to external grants, continuing education, and special initiatives.
• Oversee collaborative projects that support adult education, regional economic and workforce development, civic engagement, and service-learning.
• Serve as UCA’s primary liaison to community-based partners and regional networks.
• Develop and implement measurable outcomes to assess the impact of community engagement programs.
• Represent UCA at state, regional, and national conferences and consortia related to outreach and public engagement.
• Seek external funding to support and expand outreach programs through grants, philanthropic partnerships, and sponsored contracts.
• Collaborate with faculty, deans, and academic leadership to embed community-based learning opportunities into the curriculum.
• Promote UCA’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and service through community-engaged scholarship and practice. Required Qualifications
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• A minimum of 5 years of proven leadership experience in community engagement, public service, university outreach, or related fields.
• Demonstrated success in building partnerships with diverse external stakeholders.
• Experience with program development and strategic planning.
• Strong project management, budget oversight, and personnel management experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and relationship-building skills. Preferred Qualifications
• Advanced degree in a related field (e.g., public administration, nonprofit management, education, social sciences).
• Experience working in or with public higher education institutions.
• Demonstrated record of building partnerships and/or external fundraising, including grants or sponsorships.

UCA’s Commitment to Outreach and Engagement The Office of Outreach and Community Engagement plays a central role in fulfilling UCA’s mission as a regional comprehensive university. As a Carnegie Community Engagement Classified institution, UCA is committed to authentic collaboration with community partners that address local needs and provide meaningful learning experiences for students. The Executive Director will join a university community that values innovation, impact, and inclusive excellence—and will help position UCA as a national leader in community-engaged teaching and scholarship. The University of Central Arkansas is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution dedicated to attracting and supporting a diverse student, faculty and staff population through enhanced multicultural learning environments and opportunities. In keeping with its nondiscrimination policy in employment, admissions and other functions and programs, the university considers employees and students on the basis of individual merit and will not discriminate against a person on the basis of gender, race or color, ethnicity, religion, spiritual beliefs, national origin, age, familial status, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, disability, political beliefs, intellectual perspective, genetic information, military status, or other factors irrelevant to participation in its programs.
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