Director of Community Affairs

About the Office

The Office of Engagement and Community Affairs (ECA) is Pitt’s home for people who focus on relationships—helping the University and our neighbors work side by side in ways that are welcoming, clear, and built to last. Our team supports place-based partnerships, lifelong learning, neighborhood programs, and opportunities for the Pitt community to be good neighbors and active volunteers. We act as a friendly front door and central guide, helping internal teams, community organizations, volunteers, and learners of all ages quickly find the people, programs, and support they need to do meaningful work together.

Position Summary

The Director of Community Affairs carries a dual focus within ECA. First, this position serves as the Director of the Oakland Neighborhood Commitment, providing dedicated leadership for Pitt’s place-based partnership work in Oakland—building and sustaining relationships with community organizations, resident associations, elected officials, and civic partners in the neighborhood immediately surrounding campus. Second, this position leads Community Affairs broadly, activating connection and response across internal and external constituencies on a wide array of university-related opportunities, concerns, and priorities. In both roles, the Director serves as a primary institutional liaison—amplifying community voices within the university and representing Pitt’s commitments clearly and transparently in the community. The Director brings both strategic vision and hands-on presence to this work—staying active alongside partners rather than simply coordinating from a distance.

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in public administration, urban affairs, community development, social work, or a related field preferred.

• 3–5 years of professional experience in community affairs, community engagement, government relations, or a related area—ideally within higher education or a large anchor institution.

• Demonstrated experience building and sustaining relationships with diverse community partners, including neighborhood organizations, public officials, and community residents.

• Strong facilitation, communication, and coalition-building skills.

• Supervisory or project coordination experience and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities in a timely manner.

• Knowledge of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods—particularly Oakland, the Hill District, and Greater Hazelwood—and their organizational, historical, and political landscapes is a significant asset.

• Commitment to responsiveness, mutual benefit, and the values of authentic community partnership that define ECA’s work.

Steers University efforts and interactions with key neighborhood constituencies, resolves community concerns in campus-adjacent neighborhoods, supports campus-wide community engagement, and bolsters communication mediums for community-facing work. Attends local government meetings, forges beneficial relationships, and maintains a broad understanding of community resources and programs. Engages in housing advocacy and supports resident grassroots efforts in best practices for affordable housing.

Key Responsibilities

• Serves as the primary university liaison for the Oakland neighborhood commitment, building and sustaining relationships with community organizations, resident associations, elected officials, and civic partners.

• Leads Community Affairs work broadly, connecting and responding to internal and external constituencies on university-related community opportunities, concerns, and priorities across neighborhood areas including the Hill District and Greater Hazelwood.

• Amplifies community voices in university spaces and represents Pitt’s commitments clearly and transparently in community spaces.

• Supports coordination and communications for the Pitt United Way Campaign, contributing to staff engagement across the university.

• Builds coalitions of campus and community stakeholders around shared priorities, facilitating collaborative problem-solving and collective impact.

• Identifies opportunities where university resources—academic expertise, staff capacity, and programmatic assets—can align with community-identified needs.

• Navigates complex institutional and interorganizational dynamics with skill, advancing community affairs priorities within the university’s administrative and policy environment.

• Communicates clearly and proactively with neighborhood stakeholders, including maintaining regular dialogue, supporting community forums, and ensuring transparency around university-related projects and decisions.

• Interacts and works cooperatively with the public including community residents, community development corporations, community-based organizations, and elected officials on a regular basis.

• Collaborates with internal university teams—including Local Government Relations; Planning, Design, Construction, and Real Estate; teams reporting to the Associate Dean of Student Culture and Community; and the Off-Campus Student Services office—to strengthen coordinated responses to community concerns and advance shared neighborhood goals.

Moderately sedentary and must have the ability to travel throughout the University and local community. Occasional lifting and/or transporting of documents and other materials as may be required.

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.