Director of Education & Industry Outreach Programs
Michigan State University actively promotes a dynamic research and learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.
The Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection (A-CAPP) is an industry-facing, self-funded institute housed at Michigan State University within the College of Social Science. The Center operates at the intersection of academia, industry, and government, delivering applied research, professional education, workforce development, outreach, and global convenings for the brand protection community from a multidisciplinary perspective.
It is the leading academic center globally on this issue and engages with the public and private sector, regularly. Since 2020, A-CAPP Center has engaged with more than 700 organizations globally, including multi-national brands, technology and service providers, investigators, law enforcement, government agencies, non-profit organizations, e-commerce platforms and other academics. The Center also regularly engages in media requests, external presentations and training, and other publicly facing events external to MSU.
The Center has an industry advisory board and 4 brand protection councils that align with the Center’s strategic thematic areas. In March of 2025, the Center relaunched its Brand Protection Professional Certificate program, after over 5000 courses had been taken on the original one. The certificate is designed primarily for the brand protection community but is also used to help train the future workforce in brand protection—students. The A-CAPP Center also runs a small internship program.
The Center has a small, dynamic team that works in a fast-paced environment, navigating academia while responding to the speed of the private sector. Given the nature of our external engagement, we work in a hybrid environment. The Center is also almost entirely self-sustaining, meaning that the success of the Center’s programs and performance of the team, directly impacts funding for future salaries and projects.
The Director of Education & Industry Outreach Programs is responsible for leading, designing, and growing the A-CAPP Center’s academic, professional, and workforce development educational programming, as well as industry facing outreach programs. This role owns the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of the Center’s education and outreach programs. The Specialist translates industry needs into high-value educational and outreach offerings, ensures effective and consistent program delivery, and builds strong engagement with internal and external stakeholders.
Working within a fast-paced, hybrid academic–industry environment, this position plays a critical role in advancing the A-CAPP Center’s mission through outreach and education, workforce pipeline development, and program-based revenue generation. The position reports to the Center Director and works closely with other Center leadership and support staff, as well as the Center’s broad group of subject matter experts (SMEs) from multiple industries, organizations and roles.
This position is an annual fixed term academic appointment with a potential for reappointment based on performance and funding. Performance will be measured in part based on success of program metrics, as well as revenue generation. To learn more on academic positions, visit https://hr.msu.edu/policies-procedures/faculty-academic-staff/academic-specialist-handbook/index.html
POSITION DETAILS
MSU classifies the Director of Education & Industry Programs principal responsibilities as an academic specialist, which falls into one or more of the functional areas of: 1. Academic Advising/Teaching/Curriculum Development 2. Research 3. Service/Outreach. 4. Administrative.
The percent breakdown of this position is: 60% Outreach, 20% Teaching/Curriculum Development, 20% Administrative.
Teaching
Industry-Facing Programming & Engagement
Education Program Leadership
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Masters
Other
Education:
Master’s degree or higher (or equivalent experience of 10+ years)
Experience:
Minimum 5 years of experience in:
Educational and/or outreach programming, workforce development, training, conferences, events, or related roles
Project management, or program coordination
Stakeholder engagement across multiple sectors (such as academic, industry, or public sectors)
Other Experience & Qualifications
Experience with program ownership, including execution, budget management and metrics-based outcomes; Experience with responsibility for project success from start to finish, ensuring momentum without relying on others to initiate action
Experience driving projects or programs that rely on subject‑matter experts, while leveraging their own experience
Ability to work in ambiguous, fast-paced environments
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
Excellent prioritization skills
Skilled at engaging with varied audiences within an organization and external to an organization and building value through programming and partnerships
Ability to travel (~10%)
The following qualifications are preferred in addition to the minimum.
Experience:
10 years in:
Additional Expertise:
Applicants are required to submit the following materials at the time of application to be considered:
05/08/2026
MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.
https://a-capp.msu.edu/
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
