External Relations Specialist - College of Engineering - Biomedical Engineering

Carnegie Mellon University is a private, global research university that stands among the world’s most renowned education institutions. With ground-breaking brain science, path-breaking performances, creative start-ups, big data, big ambitions, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of robots, CMU doesn’t imagine the future, we invent it. If you’re passionate about joining a community that challenges the curious to deliver work that matters, your journey starts here!

The Biomedical Engineering (BME) Department at Carnegie Mellon University is renowned for its interdisciplinary approach to solving complex healthcare challenges. Located within CMU's College of Engineering, the department emphasizes the integration of engineering principles with biomedical sciences to address pressing medical and biological issues. The department is characterized by its focus on creating impactful technologies and therapies that improve patient care and advance biomedical innovation globally.

The Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) has an immediate opening for an External Relations Specialist. We are looking for someone who is people oriented, organized, and would enjoy working on strategic initiatives, external relations, communications, and partnership development to advance the Department’s goals and reputation. This position reports to the department head and Director of Finance and Operations, and will be a key player performing a range of planning, organizational, communications, external relations, and liaison duties.

The incumbent will work with the Department Head and other key personnel to devise, develop, implement, and manage departmental strategic initiatives. These initiatives will focus primarily on advancing the educational and research mission and reputation of the Department and may involve other CMU departments, other US and foreign academic institutions, medical centers and schools, industrial partners, foundations, and other external partners. Other initiatives will involve coordinating and optimizing staff and faculty commitments to our educational mission to ensure efficient departmental operations that minimize strain to faculty and staff.

The incumbent will work in concert with the College of Engineering Office of Marketing and Communications to enhance the external image of the Department. They will thus coordinate communications to a range of key audiences, including prospective and current students, staff, faculty, and partner institutions and alumni. The incumbent is thus expected to coordinate with BME faculty and staff and College of Engineering Office of Marketing and Communications working on external communications. This work includes understanding and promoting new and existing BME research and educational initiatives that are important to our external reputation.

The incumbent will also work with staff and faculty, CPDC, external partners, departmental advisory boards, and alumni to expand career and employment opportunities for our graduates. This includes encouraging the recruitment of our students by industry, encouraging CDPC engagement with biomedical industry, and working with our industrial advisory board to develop strategies to maximize student opportunity. The incumbent is also expected to engage with alumni, alumni relations, and advancement to promote alumni to engage and promote the academic and research mission of the Department.

The incumbent will assist staff and faculty with all outward-facing events. The incumbent is expected to work with the Department Head to manage all aspects of the annual Carnegie Mellon Forum on Biomedical Engineering, our online conference. This work includes managing staff and faculty assisting with the event. The incumbent will also assist educational staff in their recruiting efforts at national and international education and research conferences, such as the Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Conference, the Northeastern Biomedical Engineering Conference, and the IUPESM World Congress.

Core Responsibilities:

• Works with the Department Head and external partners, such as Mayo Clinic, UPMC, or Allegheny Health Network, to devise, develop and manage educational and research partnerships.
• Works with the Department Head, BME Staff and Students, and College of Engineering communications staff to enhance the external image of the Department and promote its activities externally
• Drafts, edits, and coordinates announcements, program descriptions, etc.
• Plans for, travels to, and assists with external, outward facing events, such as biomedical educational, research, and student recruiting conferences. Example includes the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) annual conference.
• Works with BME faculty and staff, CPDC, industry and alumni boards, and external partners (e.g. Mayo Clinic) to develop employment opportunities for CMU BME students and graduates.
• Organizes and updates the BME departmental calendar, including major educational, research, and recruitment events and each year works to ensure smooth departmental operations that avoid overlap of major events and thus periods of strain on faculty and staff
• Works with external parties (e.g. BMES, Whova, Mayo Clinic, etc.) who provide services necessary for executing external events.
• Coordinates conferences, programs, special events, series, and fairs to further prospective student and faculty recruitment, alumni and industry engagement, and partnership development.
• Executes strategy to engage and maintain graduating student interactions with the Department after graduation.
• Attends conferences to represent the department and to recruit and engage constituencies.
• Maintain audience segments in Mailchimp and manage the distribution of BME communication newsletters.
• Use Tartan 360 to keep track of alumni records and add recent graduates to alumni lists to support communication.
• Oversee CMU Forum on Biomedical Engineering, an annual online event with over 1,000 attendees worldwide.
• Other duties as assigned.

This position requires the incumbent to use critical thinking skills to be able to take initiative on complex, high profile projects based upon direction provided via regular one-on-one meetings with the Department Head and via email feedback.

Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 10-15 years experience
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Requirements:

• Successful Background check

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.

Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!

Location

Job Function

Position Type

Full Time/Part time

Pay Basis

More Information:

• Please visit “Why Carnegie Mellon” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.
• Click here to view a listing of employee benefits
• Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.
• Statement of Assurance