Assistant Director of Engagement, Office for Socially Engaged Practice - Sam Fox

Scheduled Hours 37.5 Position Summary The Office for Socially Engaged Practice (OSEP) seeks an Assistant Director of Engagement to provide management of Design/Build initiatives, and operational administrative leadership for OSEP's programs, initiatives, and strategic priorities. Reporting to the Director, the Assistant Director will play a central role in shaping collaborative public initiatives and processes that include the administrative infrastructure and financial processes that underpin mutually beneficial partnerships. The Assistant Director will work closely with the Director, to oversee operational systems, public partnerships, and develop and manage key design/build initiatives. This position will also contribute to the development and management of faculty support programs, oversee student positions, and participate in University-wide initiatives that strengthen OSEP's impact across campus and within the broader community. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative leader who excels at community design, has experience in co-design projects and engagement methods, and has experience in organizational management, and program coordination that supports dynamic academic environments grounded in a commitment to long-term partnership and accountable to communities.

Job Description Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Administration and Management of Strategic Initiatives Manage and evolve existing community-engaged design and research initiatives including: Design Openings, University City Public Art Series, and Summer Public Design Workshop Manage collaborative, interdisciplinary teams that include community partners, students, faculty, and external collaborators. Coordinate with Faculty Leads providing administrative support for faculty engagements to ensure they are on schedule, within budget, and mutually beneficial partnerships. Manage administrative and financial operations between WashU stakeholders and community partners ensuring Sam Fox community engagements are grounded in ethical transparency and shared decision-making. Support faculty and student work by providing guidance on best practices in socially engaged and public-interest design. Oversee documentation and dissemination of community engaged work in ways that are accessible, respectful, and useful to Sam Fox, community partners and broader audiences. Interface with regulatory agencies, as needed. Manage City StudioSTL Fellowship Program Liaise with Firms, coordinating application process, placement, community projects, and community partners. Manage budget and program accounting and operations. Assist in stewarding new partners and St. Louis based firms. Conduct evaluation and reporting of program. Institutional Alignment and Coordination Develop robust relationships with faculty and students at the Sam Fox School on socially engaged practices. Act as a connector across WashU, building relationships with aligned centers, institutes, and departments to support interdisciplinary, community-engaged work, including: the Confluence Collaborative, In St. Louis for St, Louis, Public Exchange, Gephardt Institute,CRE2, Center for Humanities, and the Center for the Environment. Collaborate with WashU engagement teams as needed on initiatives that increase University connections to pressing issues in the St. Louis region. Serve on institutional committees, including Confluence Collaborative, Gephardt Institute and other entities, as needed, including faculty engagement, search committees, and application review committees. Strengthen internal networks that expand the reach and impact of socially engaged practice at WashU. Strategic Operations and Management Work closely with Director to support and strengthen the administrative and operational infrastructure of OSEP. Collaborate with the Director on the design and planning of OSEP's annual budget. Contribute to strategic planning related to fundraising and partnership development. Establish and measure key data points to assess the effectiveness of the Center's outreach and revenue-generating initiatives. Facilitate the development of new content and create opportunities for outreach and national representation on issues of socially engaged practiced, community engaged teaching, and collaboration. Ensure participation within the St. Louis region and across the disciplines represented at the Sam Fox School including: architecture, art, design, community development, and public interest design. Cultivate and sustain meaningful, trust-based relationships with community-based organizations, neighborhood groups, nonprofits, and public agencies across St. Louis. Serve as a liaison between OSEP and community partners, supporting long-term collaboration rather than transactional engagement. Identify opportunities for collaboration that bridge academic resources with community-defined priorities. Communications/Documentation Coordinate proper archiving of project work. Develop strategies to amplify OSEP's work to local and national audiences. Develop communications plan for social media and external communications of OSEP's initiatives. Coordinate with Sam Fox Communications and external partners as necessary for communications. Coordinate and/or executes documentation of projects, academic and public programs. OSEP Student Mentor and Supervisor Supervise OSEP interns, fellows and practicum students. Support the planning and implementation of OSEP student internship, and fellowship positions, including orientation, programming, and cohort development. Work with Director to integrate interns and fellows into the broader intellectual life of OSEP. Assist the Director in managing OSEP internship program. Supervise students, providing weekly check-ins and direct support on projects and office tasks. Provide oversight for the supervision of 1-3 Brown School practicum students as a field instructor. Develop projects tailored to students' interests and skills. Provide regular feedback and support for execution of projects. Fundraising and Grant Writing Identify and coordinate grant applications for existing projects. Assist Director in identifying strategic opportunities for new programs and initiatives. Maintain necessary grant and contract compliance, including budget, financial reporting, and project activity reporting. Work with SFS Research Office and Advancement to identify and submit for grants. Coordinate reporting and stewardship efforts for funded projects and donor relationships. Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

Job Location/Working Conditions Normal office environment. Physical Effort Typically sitting at desk or table. Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement. Occasional lifting (