Partner Engagement Manager (1-year Term)

Department: IPR - Inst for Policy Res
Salary/Grade: EXS/8

Job Summary

Oversees a major department/school-wide program or project & provides direction & thought leadership to develop strategic goals & objectives; defines associated metrics to measure results; & creates & obtains resources to ensure success. Reviews, creates & nurtures internal & external alliances, collaborations and partnerships.

The Institute for Policy Research (IPR) at Northwestern University is seeking a Partner Engagement Manager to join us as a core team member of the Early Childhood Research Alliance for Chicago (EC*REACH). EC*REACH is Chicago's hub for early childhood research. We unite diverse partners across Chicago to produce and support action-oriented research that promotes equitable solutions for early childhood policy and practice. Together, we spark new collaborations, identify pressing questions, share insights, and design relevant and rigorous research that improves the lives of young children and families in Chicago.

As a key senior team member reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Partner Engagement Manager will oversee all aspects of EC*REACH's partner-facing engagement and community-building work, including EC*REACH's Chicago Early Childhood Research Agenda, Alliance Council, Chicago Early Childhood Research Conference, community meetings and focus groups, events, and publications and communications to diverse audiences. The Partner Engagement Manager will support EC*REACH's mission by developing, implementing, and overseeing communications, outreach, and engagement strategies to identify, build relationships with, and bring together research, policy, practice, and community partners-and support them to collaboratively use the tools of research to make Chicago's early childhood ecosystem stronger and more equitable.

Core to the mission of IPR and EC*REACH is the hiring, training, and development of a diverse set of scholars, researchers, and staff. We encourage and welcome applications from members of groups who are traditionally underrepresented in the research field, those with lived experience, and those who are intimately familiar with the communities, systems, and programs in which our work is centered. If you are excited about the role and think you might be a good fit, but don't meet every single qualification, we'd encourage you to apply anyway.

The position will be a one-year appointment with renewal for a second term contingent on satisfactory performance and available funding. Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Specific Responsibilities:

Communication, Outreach & Recruitment

• Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to increase program profile, reputation, visibility and support.
• Creates plan to drive awareness of program/project in appropriate markets.
• Partners with academia and organizations to continue to innovate & enhance program/project.
• Actively obtains market intelligence by monitoring program/project peers/competitors and sharing information with appropriate groups.
• Builds relationships with appropriate communities & organizations that will result in program/project enhancement.
• Oversees marketing of new and current programs/projects.

Evaluation

• Assesses programming and recommends changes that will innovate and invigorate program including cutting edge developments in the field and changes to better meet external partners' needs in order to achieve goals.

Events

• Develops, plans & implements strategies, goals & approach for programs & events.
• Oversees creation of events designed to implement program/project objectives.
• Collaborates with internal/external partners to ensure that events are implemented and meet or exceed planned goals.

Grants & Contracts

• Consults with & advises Principle Investigators (PI) in identifying & defining problems that can be resolved with scientific research that will help guide study design and methods to accomplish the scientific goals of the program/project.
• Develops new proposals for research including obtaining financial support.
• Writes technical reports detailing procedures, outcomes, and observations.

Program Development

• Determines goals, objectives, outcome measurements and metrics, financial feasibility, marketing strategies and collaboration opportunities with other internal and external organizations.
• Oversees the ongoing development and refinement of the program's/project's current and future curriculum and course offerings in consultation with subject matter experts.
• Provides leadership for planning, scheduling, delivering and maintaining program(s)/project(s) to sustain quality instruction in all educational activity.
• Directs actions to consistently high quality standards across all partner programs, including admissions, teaching, grading, service levels, and facilities.

Strategic Planning

• Develops and implements a comprehensive, visionary program/project strategy designed to continually grow and improve programs and build internal/external engagement.
• Provides guidance and support to staff in the creation of program/project components.

Supervision

• May supervise 2-4 staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 5 years program/project administration or other relevant experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Exceptionally strong verbal and written communication skills and a dynamic facilitator.
• Demonstrated track record of facilitating mutual respect and understanding among diverse partners (e.g., researchers, community partners, policymakers, community-based organizations, families, etc.) through an ability to act as an honest and trusted partner.
• Implementing and leading engagement, outreach, and/or communications strategies.

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Degree in a field such as education, public policy, social work, public health, communications, or a related field.
• Experience in program/project administration, such as leading coalitions, community organizing, public outreach, or facilitating convenings of diverse audiences.
• Experience leading or contributing to organizational web, email, and/or social media presence.
• Experience working as part of a research-practice partnership (RPP), on applied and/or community-engaged research projects, or working at a community or civic organization that partners with researchers.
• Experience working in a large-scale early childhood system (in a sector such as education, health, and/or family services).
• Expertise in early childhood research, policy, and/or practice.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Demonstrated strong aptitude for relationship and partnership development and navigation of social barriers, especially of race and class, in socially stratified environments.
• Familiar with and committed to the RPP approach and facilitating the use of research evidence to drive action that improves the lives of children and families.
• Deep knowledge of Chicago's early childhood system (including policies, programs, improvement initiatives, and data landscapes) and of the City of Chicago more generally, including existing relationships with current and potential EC*REACH partners.
• Experience developing and implementing communications strategies, and eager to hone communications leadership skills, including brand identity, content development, asset management, and media relations.
• Comfortable with a high degree of ambiguity and thrives in a highly collaborative "start-up" environment that is rapidly evolving with many unknowns.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $82,000-$90,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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