"Outreach and Engagement Specialist"

Outreach and Engagement Specialist

Company: East Carolina University

Job Location:

Category: Extension and Outreach

Type: Full-Time

Position Number: 500604

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Anticipated Recruitment Range: $71,121 - $75,000

Position Type: Non-Faculty

Job Category: Non-Faculty Professional

Organizational Unit Overview:

The mission of the College of Education is to prepare and develop professionals in vocational teacher education and information/office education through effective teaching, the dissemination of knowledge, generation and application of research, and service to the educational business communities. The College is committed to the purpose of preparing educational and business professionals who are both academically and technically proficient. The teacher education programs share the additional purposes of preparing professional educators who are reflective in practice, committed to the intellectual empowerment of others, and guided by the larger democratic purposes of American education.

Job Duties:

The College of Education is seeking to hire an Outreach and Engagement Specialist. This is a full-time, 12-month Exempt Professional Staff (EPS) position offered as a stated definite term appointment. The Outreach and Engagement Specialist plays a key role in building relationships, supporting internal and external communication, and advancing the Colleges engagement priorities. Reporting to the Dean (or Deans designee), the Specialist works closely with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners to create initiatives that align with the Colleges mission and strategic priorities. This position serves as a strategic connector between the College and its stakeholders, both internal and external. The Specialist is responsible for cultivating meaningful partnerships with community organizations, educational institutions, and alumni, while also supporting internal engagement efforts that foster a welcoming and informed campus culture. Through proactive outreach, innovative communication strategies, and collaborative program development, the Specialist enhances the Colleges visibility, promotes student success, and supports lifelong learning and regional impact. The Specialist leads efforts to identify and develop partnerships, coordinate engagement events, and serve as a liaison to amplify the Colleges contributions. Internally, the position supports faculty, staff, and student engagement through effective communication, alignment with student development goals, and coordination of professional development and campus culture initiatives. The Specialist also plays a key role in implementing strategic priorities, supporting grant-related outreach, and contributing to assessment and reporting efforts that inform continuous improvement.

Community Engagement and Communication (40%):

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with community organizations, educational partners, and alumni to support collaborative initiatives. The Specialist will proactively initiate and schedule meetings, represent the College at community partner events, and manage ongoing communications with community partners and alumni leaders. The Specialist will independently assess partner needs, identify opportunities for collaboration, and make recommendations to leadership about which partnerships align best with the Colleges mission and strategic plan.
• Identify and cultivate opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to engage with schools, nonprofits, and community organizations. Using research, environmental scans, and input from faculty/staff, the Specialist will analyze gaps in community engagement and recommend new partnerships.
• Support initiatives such as study abroad/study away, lifelong learning programs, and other community-engaged educational opportunities. The Specialist will develop outreach materials, coordinate logistics (e.g., student recruitment, partner communication), and recommend strategies to increase participation. The Specialist will also help to provide college-level support (e.g., recruitment, logistical coordination) to study abroad and study away programming.
• Serve as a liaison between the college and community stakeholders, helping to amplify the colleges contributions to the region and beyond. The Specialist will act as the primary point of contact for external stakeholders, independently determine appropriate responses to inquiries, and escalate sensitive matters to leadership when necessary. The Specialist will prepare summary reports and talking points to ensure leadership is briefed for community meetings.
• Coordinate with external partners on special projects and grant-related outreach components when applicable. The Specialist will plan joint events, negotiate roles/responsibilities with partners, and monitor compliance with grant requirements when outreach components are involved.
• Design engaging and innovative external communication plans and content

Internal Communication and College Engagement (30%):

• Develop and coordinate regular internal communications (e.g., newsletters, announcements, updates) to keep faculty, staff, and students informed and connected.
• Work with college leadership to share timely updates about college-wide initiatives, engagement opportunities, and student success efforts.
• Support internal engagement events such as faculty and staff professional development, celebrations, service events, and speaker series. The Specialist will lead and support planning for faculty/staff professional development, celebrations, and service events. Duties include securing speakers, designing agendas, and making real-time decisions during events to troubleshoot issues.
• Collaborate with student support teams and academic units to ensure alignment between internal communications and student development goals. The Specialist will review student development goals and align internal messaging and programming with those goals (e.g., designing communication campaigns to encourage student participation in support services). The Specialist will recommend strategies to leadership based on observed gaps.
• Promote a welcoming environment where students, faculty, and staff feel a strong sense of care.

Strategic Alignment and Program Support (30%):

• Assist in implementing strategic priorities related to outreach, engagement, and student success, as outlined in the College of Education Strategic Plan. The Specialist will translate the Strategic Plan into actionable engagement initiatives. For example, the Specialist may design a community-engagement fair or student success initiative.
• Serve as a secondary recruiter and ambassador for all academic programs within the college.
• Coordinate logistics and provide support for outreach programs and college-hosted events (e.g., community engagement fairs, service-learning projects). Duties include designing event workflows, creating promotional materials, managing volunteer assignments, and serving as the decision-maker for day-of logistics (room setups, schedules, vendor decisions).
• Help track engagement activities across the college and contribute to reporting and assessment efforts. The Specialist will collect data on partnerships and engagement, create tracking systems, analyze patterns, and prepare reports with recommendations for improvement. The Specialist will work in coordination with the Office of Assessment, Data Management, & Digital Learning (OADD) to support the data collection and strategic planning alignment. The Specialists judgment is exercised in determining what information is most meaningful for assessment and reporting (in line with OADD).
• Partner with the Office of the Dean on initiatives that advance community engagement and campus culture. The Specialist will serve as project lead or co-lead on engagement initiatives (e.g., wellness campaigns, alumni outreach). The Specialist will independently draft proposals, design strategies, and coordinate implementation, presenting updates and recommendations directly to the Deans leadership team.
• Participate in institutional initiatives as needed and represent the college in engagement-focused collaborations across the university. The Specialist will represent the College on university committees and collaborations (e.g., engagement and student success committees). The Specialist will participate in decision-making discussions and provide input on behalf of the College, ensuring alignment with both College and University goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Contingent upon availability of funds.

Minimum Education/Experience:

• Bachelors degree and one year of experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation:

None

Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education:

• Bachelors or Masters degree in a relevant field (e.g., education, communications, etc.)
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Experience in higher education or nonprofit engagement.
• Understanding and/or experience with outreach and engagement strategies in higher education settings with internal and external constituents
• Ability to manage multiple projects, collaborate across units, and maintain a solutions-oriented approach.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for internal and external audiences
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience with community partnerships, event coordination, or student services.

Special Instructions to Applicant:

East Carolina University requires applicants to submit a candidate profile online in order to be considered for the position. Candidates must also submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references, including contact information online.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Additional Instructions to Applicant:

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must complete a candidate profile online via the PeopleAdmin system and submit any requested documents. Additionally, applicants that possess the preferred education and experience must also possess the minimum education/experience, if applicable.

Job Close Date:

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Initial Screening Begins:

09/30/2025To apply, visit https://ecu.peopleadmin.com/postings/89049