About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
About CICS
Celebrating almost 60 years of pioneering contributions to computing, the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS) at UMass Amherst is home to graduate and undergraduate programs that are ranked among the top twenty-five in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and among the top twenty by CS Rankings. Following a decade of tremendous growth, CICS currently has 88 core faculty, including 20 ACM Fellows, 11 IEEE Fellows, and 36 NSF CAREER Award winners. CICS research encompasses all major technical specializations across the profession and serves as the focal point for interdisciplinary computing research at UMass Amherst, with affiliated research centers such as the Center for Intelligent Information Retrieval, the Center for Data Science, the Center for Smart and Connected Society, the Computational Social Science Institute, and the Cybersecurity Institute, as well as the new NIH-funded Massachusetts AI and Technology Center for Connected Care in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease. The college currently enrolls approximately 300 doctoral students, 400 master's students, and 2,000 undergraduate students in its computer science and informatics programs and continues to build on its history of innovative teaching with new programs in public interest technology and a growing online master's program. The college's new building, slated to open in the spring of 2025, is being designed to accommodate its growth and serve as a hub for community, collaboration, and research. The CICS community is united by a revolutionary vision for computing research, education, and outreach--Computing for the Common Good--and is committed to inspiring and educating students from all backgrounds and experiences, while conducting research that improves the lives of the people of the Commonwealth and the world. More information about the college can be found at cics.umass.edu.
About PIT@Umass
The UMass Public Interest Technology Initiative (PIT@UMass) is a multidisciplinary initiative spanning all major Colleges and Schools at the UMass Amherst and Mt. Ida campuses. The Initiative aims to promote the socially responsible use of technology to address social, research, and community challenges. The Initiative will promote and synergize new and existing pedagogy, research, experiential learning activities, and community outreach with a focus on the public interest. PIT@UMass will work to expand its impact and reach via funding from industry partners, non-profit foundations, philanthropy, and federal agencies.
Job Summary
The Executive Director of Public Interest Technology (PIT) works under the direction of the PIT faculty Director. They work closely with Deans, Department Heads, and other leadership from the Amherst and Mt. Ida campuses to enable synergies between various Colleges and Schools at UMass, as well as with the broader community of public interest technology institutions, private sector partners, and local, state, and federal governments. The Executive Director provides administrative oversight for the Initiative and its funded projects, oversees and manages engagement with leadership across the UMass Amherst and Mt. Ida campuses and with external partners, manages web content related to the initiative's activities and goals, and provides logistical support for meetings, activities, and events.
Essential Functions
- Manages the day-to-day operational needs of the Initiative and contributes to strategic planning. Assists the PIT's grant administrator with budget forecasting and management and identifies and addresses problems that may affect Initiative goals or timelines. Ensures that PIT complies with established College and University finance practices and policies.
- Coordinates with the PIT University Network and member institutions to promote PIT@UMass leadership and field-building. Manages the Initiative's pilot projects and tracks outcomes. Monitors the progress of pilot projects to ensure that they are following proposed timelines and implements changes as needed. Assists and guides PIT working groups in developing curricula, certificate programs, research projects, experiential learning efforts and clinics, and community outreach events, bootcamps, courses, webinars, symposia, etc. Plans and attends regular meetings with leadership across both campuses to provide guidance, resources, and feedback.
- Develops administrative infrastructure for PIT@UMass to support educational, research, experiential, and outreach activities. Develops appropriate planning and operational vehicles for managing financial resources.
- Works with business development to create partnerships, fellowships, internships, and experiential learning activities with corporations, local, and state governments, and other institutions to strengthen relationships focused on social responsibility and links between UMass and the private and public sectors.
- Plans and develops professional infrastructure to support a comprehensive community outreach program. Works with PIT leadership, UMass Communications, and external partners to create outreach events that promote PIT@UMass and UMass' focus on social responsibility.
- Facilitates partnerships between PIT@UMass and external stakeholders. Manages and oversees PIT@UMass' engagement with private and public sector partners and other stakeholders. Engages with and synthesizes input from faculty, UMass administration, students, and partners.
- Works with the College's marketing and communications team to manage communications related to PIT@UMass. Oversees the management of the Initiative's website and ensures that content is updated regularly. Oversees the solicitation and publication of articles and posts related to PIT, ensuring information about activities is up to date. Oversees all social media outreach efforts, sharing information about activities, events, and program resources.
- Provides logistical support for all meetings, trainings, events, workshops, and activities conducted by PIT@UMass. Recruits and negotiates contracts with speakers, handles correspondence, invites relevant collaborators, and coordinates logistics for meetings and events, including associated travel arrangements.
Other Functions
- Performs related duties as assigned or required to meet Department, College, or University goals and objectives.
- Understands responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent both with legal and University policies.
- Contributes toward creating a positive and respectful workplace defined by personal and professional competence, integrity, and collaboration.
- Understands and contributes to implementation of departmental and institutional goals for achieving non-discrimination and creating a respectful, inclusive environment that is supportive of diversity.
- Uses access to sensitive and/or not yet public university related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Bachelor's Degree and more than five (5) plus years of professional experience managing sizable, complex projects including financial management, interacting with senior business and/or academic leaders, writing reports, and facilitating large meetings OR Master's degree in a related field and at least three (3) plus years of professional experience managing sizable, complex projects including financial management, interacting with senior business and/or academic leaders, writing reports, and facilitating large meetings.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and work effectively with a multi-institution team in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to travel within the United States to attend meetings or events.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to work both independently and to be part of an effective team with a highly cooperative and collaborative work style.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to write concisely, express thoughts clearly, and develop ideas in a logical sequence.
- Independent initiative. Must have the ability to stay on task and work productively with a minimum amount of supervision or guidance.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality as required.
- Strong computer skills including at least intermediate expertise with:
- Email
- Calendar systems such as Outlook or Google
- Word processing software such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs
- Spreadsheets such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets
- Databases such as FileMaker or Microsoft Access
- Presentation software such as Microsoft PowerPoint
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- At least two (2) years of experience working on community development projects.
- Experience managing community-building programs in an academic environment.
- Experience developing infrastructure to achieve organizational goals.
- Experience working in collaboration with academic, industry, and/or government teams.
- Experience with a public interest-focused organization.
- Experience with website management using Drupal or similar.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
- Typical office environment.
Additional Details
- The initial appointment is for two (2) years with the possibility of reappointment contingent upon satisfactory performance and the availability of funding.
Work Schedule
- Monday - Friday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm.
- Occasional evenings and weekends.
- This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee's work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.
Salary Information
Level 29
PSU Hiring Ranges
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references. The search will remain open until filled.
To apply please follow this link: https://careers.umass.edu/amherst/en-us/job/520700/executive-director-of-public-interest-technology-hybrid-opportunity
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.
