Seattle University invites nominations and applications for the position of Executive Director, Center for Community Engagement. Seattle University is seeking a visionary, relationship-driven leader to serve as the next Executive Director of the Sundborg Center for Community Engagement (CCE). This is a distinctive opportunity to shape how a Jesuit, Catholic university fosters rigorous academic learning through deep and impactful community partnerships in the context of one of the country’s most dynamic and complex cities. 

Working collaboratively with faculty, academic leaders, students, community partners, and university stakeholders, the Executive Director will steward a multimillion-dollar community engagement portfolio while advancing the Center’s institutional and philanthropic priorities. This role offers an opportunity to further develop the intellectual and community partnerships that distinguish Seattle University’s approach to engaged education and to help lead fund development campaigns that will broaden and deepen the Center’s continued impact and reach.

Since 2004, the Sundborg Center for Community Engagement has connected Seattle University students, faculty, and staff with families, youth, community-based organizations, government institutions, neighborhood leaders, and others — through direct service, philanthropy, advocacy, policymaking, social entrepreneurship, and community-based research. Five values guide the Center's work: Justice, Relationships, Community, Learning, and Humanity. Inspired by the university's Jesuit, Catholic ethos, CCE strives to lead as a progressive and innovative organization working toward a 2030 place-based vision that leverages the university's resources to advance justice, remove institutional barriers, and educate changemakers.

The Executive Director will provide strategic oversight for the Center as it plays a critical role in advancing the University’s overarching mission and vision. In doing so, the next leader will help shape how students integrate academic learning with sustained engagement in the community, fostering opportunities for reflection, inquiry, and experiential learning that deepen their understanding of complex social issues and their responsibilities as members of a broader community. 

Candidates will hold an advanced degree in nonprofit leadership, education, student development, higher education administration, social work, or related field along with a minimum of 10 years of significant leadership experience, including responsibility for teams and programs in community engagement, community development, higher education administration, public administration, social work, nonprofit leadership, and/or college student services. While prior higher education leadership experience is preferred, distinguished business and nonprofit leaders with a strong commitment to education will be given full consideration.

Inquiries, Nominations, and Applications: Seattle University has retained the services of the executive search firm Korn Ferry. All interested applicants are invited to submit a CV and a letter of interest to SU-CCE-ED@kornferry.com. All inquiries will be handled in a secure, sensitive, and confidential manner.

Compensation and Benefits: The targeted salary range for this role is $180-205k and will be commensurate with experience. In addition, Seattle University offers a competitive benefits package.