Associate Director – Outreach and Engagement

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Associate Director for Outreach and Engagement at the University of Wisconsin Aquatic Sciences Center. Leading outreach programs and engagement initiatives related to Wisconsin’s water resources.

Posted 7/14/2026full-timeMadison • Wisconsin • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $100,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in program and project management within research and outreach, with a strong focus on supervising and developing personnel while managing complex projects and budgets. Proven ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and secure external funding for scholarly research.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Program ManagementProject ManagementSupervisory ExperienceGrant ManagementStakeholder Engagement

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Budget ManagementResearch Program ManagementGrant WritingProject CoordinationData Analysis

Soft Skills

Organizational SkillsCommunication SkillsTeam LeadershipMentoringCollaboration

Industry Keywords

OutreachEngagementResearchExtensionPeer-Reviewed Publications

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as a unit liaison to internal stakeholder groups to foster cross-unit partnership efforts regarding research programs and activities
Manage large research projects for a center or program
Exercise supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
Collaborate with project directors and the full range of clients whose knowledge and expertise varies
Provide the overarching vision, implementation, and supervision of ASC’s statewide outreach and engagement portfolio
Maintain an active program of independent or collaborative scholarly research, including securing external grants and publishing peer-reviewed findings
Align the center’s outreach and engagement capabilities with emerging freshwater challenges, state and federal program goals, and regional partnership networks

Requirements

What you’ll need

At least 5 years of professional experience in program or project management within research, extension, outreach, or a related field
At least 3 years of experience supervising, mentoring, and developing personnel, with demonstrated ability to lead teams toward shared goals
Experience managing budgets, grants, or complex projects with multiple stakeholders
Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Experience engaging with community members on a shared interest or project

Benefits

Comp & perks

generous vacation
holidays
sick leave
competitive insurances
savings accounts
retirement benefits