[Hiring] Vice President, Community Engagement and Impact @Internet 2

Role Description

The Vice President of Community Engagement and Impact (VP of CEI) is a senior executive responsible for shaping and leading the organization’s strategy to engage, serve, and grow its national R&E stakeholder community. The role focuses on maximizing the impact of Internet2’s high‑end networking, cyberinfrastructure, trust and identity, research technology and NET+ services for:

• Universities
• Minority serving institutions (MSIs)
• Research and Education Networks (RENs)
• Federal agencies
• Community anchor institutions
• Industry partners

The VP will build strong, collaborative relationships across sectors and globally, advancing a broad agenda that includes:

• Strengthening cybersecurity infrastructure
• Enabling historically under-resourced colleges and universities to participate on par with the national R&E ecosystem

The VP of CEI is a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and partners with the ELT on delivering Internet2’s mission. The position will require national and international travel.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Community Engagement Strategy:
  • Develop and execute a comprehensive community engagement strategy that aligns with the organization’s mission, technology roadmap, and long‑term strategic plan.
  • Identify emerging needs and opportunities across higher education, MSIs, research organizations, federal agencies, community anchor institutions, and industry partners.
  • Champion the voice of the community within executive leadership discussions and organizational decision‑making.
• Minority Serving – Cyberinfrastructure Consortium (MS-CC):
  • Cultivate the success of the MS-CC - an NSF sponsored program that promotes advanced cyberinfrastructure at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other minority-serving institutions.
  • Partner with community leaders to co‑design programs and capacity‑building efforts that help MSIs and other underserved institutions participate fully in the national R&E ecosystem.
• Stakeholder Relations, Participation and Partnerships:
  • Promote inclusive engagement practices that ensure broad participation from Internet2’s stakeholder community.
  • Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior leaders across member institutions, MSIs, consortia, and partner organizations.
  • Lead the development of strategic partnerships that expand the reach and impact of the organization’s networking, cyberinfrastructure, and trust and identity services.
  • Represent the organization in national, regional and international forums, advisory boards, and working groups relevant to R&E technology and digital equity.
• Impact, Programs, and Services:
  • Collaborate with product, engineering, and operations teams to ensure services are responsive to community needs and deliver clear value for a diverse set of institutions and stakeholders.
  • Design and oversee community‑facing programs (e.g., program advisory groups, steering committees, pilots, training, and outreach).
  • Define and track impact metrics that show how services advance the mission of the national and global R&E ecosystem and promote digital equity.
• Communications:
  • Ensure strategic communications related to community engagement, including impact stories and case studies that highlight the advancement of the Internet2 stakeholder community needs.
  • Serve as a visible champion for advanced networking, cyberinfrastructure, trust and identity, research technologies and NET+ services.
  • Ensure consistent, clear messaging about services, opportunities, and resources across all segments of the community.
• Leadership and Management:
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing team responsible for member relations, community programs, events, and impact reporting.
  • Collaborate closely with other executives to ensure community priorities influence organizational planning and resource allocation.
  • Contribute to budget planning, revenue strategies related to membership or participation, and long‑term sustainability of community and equity‑focused programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 15+ years of overall experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
• 5+ years within a senior strategic, operational, or advisory role
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, cross-functional projects and senior-level relationships
• Robust network of connections and allies from across the R&E and global Internet community
• Exceptional communication and organizational skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information clearly
• Experience providing strategic solutions to under-resourced institutions
• Demonstrated experience working closely with senior leadership to solve problems and build consensus
• Demonstrated ability to be diplomatic and tactful in dealing with stakeholders
• Capacity for big picture thinking
• Proven ability to work effectively across cultures and time zones in a global environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher
• Experience in the R&E ecosystem and/or global NREN or similar community
• Strong understanding of the R&E community, Internet and cyberinfrastructure technologies, policy, or digital development issues

Benefits

• Medical, dental, life, vision and disability insurances
• Health spending account program
• Sick time and vacation time
• Tax deferred retirement plan

Expected Compensation

This is a senior level position. Compensation will be commensurate with education and experience.