Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity

Director for the Center for Applied Business and Economic Research

Department of Economics

College of Business and Economics

CBE-N-2320

Towson University’s College of Business and Economics (CBE) invites applications for a clinical associate professor in the Department of Economics with full university benefits to serve as the director of CBE’s Center for Applied Business and Economic Research (CABER) and the Division of Economic and Community Outreach (DECO) Applied Economics and Human Services (AEHS).  This position is to enable a forum for Towson faculty, students, and community to engage in meaningful and intellectual partnerships; advance the state of research and practice in areas of economics and business and contribute to the economic development in the region and throughout the state of Maryland.

The Center for Applied Business and Economic Research (CABER) channels Towson University’s College of Business and Economics' resources through a strong outreach program that creates dynamic partnerships and engages diverse public sector clients including local and state governmental agencies in promotion of economic and academic linkages to enhance the applied business teaching and learning environment in the State of Maryland and throughout the business and civic community.

RESI-AEHS is a unit within the Division of Economic and Community Outreach’s (DECO) Economic and Workforce group that provides clients with economic forecasts, economic impact analyses, site selection analyses, survey research, and publications as well as specialized services ranging from basic research to complex analyses.  The unit also provides financial and management reporting through a web platform specific to Maryland’s Department of Human Services Family Investment Administration (FIA) and Maryland’s State Department of Education Office of Childcare.   In addition, AEHS also operates the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) University Center located at Towson University.  The EDA University Center provides a suite of research services to Western Maryland and Baltimore City as it relates to economic development.

The Department of Economics has 22 full-time faculty with 223 undergraduate majors. The department also provides courses in the joint MBA program with the University of Baltimore. The director will have a 1-2 course teaching load.

The incumbent is responsible for providing leadership and assistance to CBE, DECO, and external partners for the purpose of achieving the mission of the University in its research and outreach arenas.  The director must be able to collaborate and build partnerships at the local, state and national levels among businesses, non-profit organizations, and governmental units and agencies, foundations, and other organizations committed to economic development, and public/community service. The incumbent will meet with the Dean of CBE and the Associate VP of DECO regularly to review assignments and plans. 

Rank & Salary

Clinical Associate Professor dependent upon qualifications: salary commensurate with rank and experience.  Position is contingent on the availability of funds at the time of hire.This is a 12-month position.

Responsibilities

The director will be responsible for:

• Strategic, personnel, financial, and marketing operations of the CABER/AEHS.
• Market  research and consulting services available through CABER/AEHS to the business, non-profit, and government communities.  Develop pricing strategies for CABER/AEHS services.
• Identifying and monitor the relative importance of issues and areas of concern to business, non-profit, and government communities.  Develop/adapt appropriate services/programs geared towards these needs. 
• Securing fund from public/private sources to support the advancement of Towson University community relationships, civic engagement, and student service learning through grants and contracts.
• Facilitating networks among internal and external communities to provide ongoing opportunities for class-wide service learning and civic engagement (including but not limited to BUSX 301), individual student internships (including but not limited to BUSX 460), faculty externships, research and consulting.
• Managing grants and contracts, including developing guidelines and dissemination procedures for Requests for Proposals (RFPs), write reports, and disseminate outcomes to appropriate parties.
• Promoting the CBE/CABER & DECO/AEHS web sites, reports, news media, and other communications means.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Masters in Economics with at least 2 years experience in higher education, non-profit, service-learning, campus-community collaboration programs, or corporate development.
• A track record of building coalitions and collaborative relationships with diverse groups.
• Ability to work with Deans, department chairs, faculty and staff; and other campus constituent groups.
• Proven ability to secure research and consulting contracts with public and private sector entities.

• Experience in project management and program planning and evaluation, including goal development agenda setting, meeting facilitation, and follow-up.
• Demonstrated financial management experience, including budget development and federal grant management.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and strong leadership skills.
• Strong organizational and office management skills.

Towson University

Founded in 1866, today Towson University is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top public universities in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.  Towson is nationally recognized for its programs in the liberal arts and sciences, business, education, communications, health sciences, and the fine and performing arts.  The University places a strong emphasis on service learning and civic engagement through such activities as internships, practica, clinical placements, course assignments and student events.  As the Baltimore area’s largest university and Maryland’s Metropolitan University, Towson articulates its research and scholarship mission through partnerships that link the University to the economic, educational and cultural life of the state of Maryland and the mid-Atlantic region. Towson enrolls approximately 21,000 undergraduate and graduate students in 62 undergraduate majors, 39 master’s programs and four doctoral programs. Located on a rolling 328 acres, the striking campus is eight miles north of downtown Baltimore and 45 miles from Washington, D.C.  The campus and its surrounding cities provide an excellent environment for teaching and supporting the academic pursuits of the 800 full-time faculty who work here.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a letter of application, current vita, official transcripts and three letters of reference to:

Dr. Garland Keesling

Towson University

Department of Marketing

Stephens Hall, Room 123

8000 York Road

Towson, Maryland 21252

Applications will be reviewed as received until position is filled.

Upon submitting your Curriculum Vitae to indicate your interest in this position, please be sure to visit http://www.towson.edu/odeo/applicantdata.asp to complete a voluntary on-line applicant data form.  The information you provide will inform the university's affirmative action plan and is for statistical purposes only and shall not be used to illegally discriminate for or against anyone. 

Towson University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and has a strong institutional commitment to diversity. Women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.