DESCRIPTION

The School of Public Affairs (SPA) in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions at Arizona State University (ASU) is conducting a search for one full-time, benefits-eligible Professor of Practice and Executive Director to work on the Downtown Phoenix campus and lead the new Center for Local Government Education and Innovation. This is a non-tenured, fiscal year (12-month) position that will begin January 2026. Candidates should have an exceptional record of accomplishments in local government practice with experience mentoring staff and/or students in the profession.
The Center for Local Government Education and Innovation brings together three traditionally distinct areas in the School of Public Affairs. The newly established Center will lead local government related executive education for the School, including the Certified Public Manager Program, Certified Municipal Clerks Program, and Master Municipal Clerks Program. The Center will also oversee our local government fellowship programs, including the Marvin and Morris fellowship, rural communities fellows, and the Harrell-Hutchinson Visiting Practitioner. Finally, the Center will work with School faculty and staff to conduct applied research of public value. The new Executive Director will lead a dynamic staff to grow the Center’s leadership in local government innovation for the School and region.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A masters degree in public administration or related field from an accredited institution.
• Experience working in local government, preferably within a city and county manager’s office.
• At least 10 years of growing responsibility leading and developing staff to deliver high-quality programs and achieve organizational objectives.
• Demonstrated expertise in budget development and financial oversight.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills.
• 10 years management experience
• Consistent with ASU’s Charter, a demonstrated commitment to inclusion.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses, preferably in public administration and management, public policy, leadership or a related field.
• Experience teaching in-person, online, and/or hybrid courses – utilizing best practices.
• Mentoring experience in local government.
• Demonstrated engagement with local government professional organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to work with culturally inclusive populations.
• Demonstrated experience with technology/course management systems and using innovative pedagogical tools.
• Experience overseeing grant funded programs.

• Teach a 1/1/1 course load (Fall/Spring/Summer) at the undergraduate or graduate level, delivering excellent in-person, online and/or hybrid instruction.
• Oversee executive education programing for the School of Public Affairs
• Provide strategic planning and oversight for the newly formed Center and work with School leadership to integrate the Center with academic programs.
• Foster new alliances, partnerships, and collaborations with other organizations in the nonprofit, private and public sectors. Maintain and enhance existing relationships with key partners, stakeholders, and grantors.
• Oversee local government fellowship programs, including collaborating with the local government fellowship director to recruit municipalities, counties and other regional agencies, mentors, and donors for fellowship programs.
• Secure funding through strategic revenue generation and cost recovery initiatives across multiple sources—including foundation grants, private sector partnerships, government funding opportunities, entrepreneurial ventures, and individual donor cultivation—to support and expand other Center programs.
• Manage program managers and budget staff within the Center.
• Partner with other SPA Center directors to identify opportunities for integrating local government programming into the CLGEI where strategically appropriate.
• Collaborate with SPA faculty on local government engagement and research.