The Manager of Community Engagement is responsible for developing, coordinating, implementing, monitoring, and managing community engagement partnership to benefit children and foster families in their assigned Texas region. The Director of Community Engagement will also play an integral role in the information sharing across all Upbring programs about available community resources in that region.

Essential Duties

• Identify, develop, and solidify network of key stakeholders and partners to build strategic partnerships in conjunction with Agency initiatives and goals through definition and management of partnership framework and approach
• Develop partner strategy through collaboration with all relevant functions and programs within the Agency and manage current portfolio of strategic partners
• Identify, research, analyze and negotiate partnerships with potential strategic partners and key stakeholders who align with the Agency’s five key markers: Safety, Health, Education, Life Skills and Vocation
• Work with Foster in Texas (FIT) and other Upbring programs in the region to make referrals and access additional/wrap-around services for children and youth in the Ascend cohort.
• Develop and manage an internal Community Council for the region.
• Represent the Agency at approved key area collaborations/coalitions
• Notify Marketing/Communications team of possible media coverage, speaking engagements and other opportunities in a timely manner
• Coordinate with External Relations to share information on potential volunteers, in-kind donors, grants and other funders to support programs in the region.
• Some travel as well as weekend/evening work is required

Working Relationships

• Develop, maintain and foster effective long-term relationships with key stakeholders and partners. Communicate effectively and clearly; articulate an overview and the stories of Agency programs, such as program outcomes, program goals and need, and industry trends as it relates to program service population
• Work closely with Sr. VP of Strategy and Community engagement and Program Executive Director to ensure department operations are effectively and efficiently supporting the goals of the department and meeting Agency’s goals and objectives
• Ability to maintain a strong working relationship with management team and a variety of external stakeholders, including current and prospective partners and volunteers
• Develop and maintain a strong working relationship and presence with the program operations team to identify needs, volunteer opportunities and sustain strong rapport
• Develop and maintain a close working relationship with the Marketing/Communications team to ensure successful and timely communication of information
• Work as a member of the team and exhibit professional behavior and a positive attitude with both internal and external clients that reflects positively on the Agency and is consistent with Agency policies and practices

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or closely related field
• 2 years' cumulative relevant experience working with diverse stakeholders, research, foster care or child welfare environment, and/or community engagement
• Strong interpersonal and people skills with the ability to cultivate and maintain long-term relationships
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision (oversight); take initiative and be a self-starter
• Strong project management skills; ability to manage and complete multiple tasks simultaneously
• Proficient in Desktop publishing software, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, and PowerPoint)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to build positive working relationships with internal and external customers
• Strong organizational and time management skills with a proven track record of meeting deadlines and juggling committing requests and tasks; strong ability to prioritize
• Ability to use creativity to plan and execute tasks; ability to be resourceful

Preferred Qualifications

• 5 years experience in child welfare; demonstrated experience with community partnership building and community engagement.

Physical Demands & Work Conditions

• This position requires sitting and looking and using a computer for long periods of time
• Position may work in a child facility and have limited exposure to children
• Lift, push, pull, move up to 25 lbs.

The physical requirements for this position with or without reasonable accommodation are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. While performing this position the employee with or without reasonable accommodation should have the ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, speak, and hear with aid, see, read, reach with arms and hands, lift and/or move up to specified weight, and use equipment that is essential to performing the job, such as a computer, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile, if applicable. Specific vision requirements of this position may include color vision, seeing things close up, and the ability to adjust focus.

Agreement

The statements herein indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by an employee in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of the job and may request the employee to perform other duties and responsibilities not listed at his/her discretion. This job description is not a contract between the employee occupying the position and the employer. Upbring is an at-will employer. Equal Employment Opportunity/M/F/disability/protected veteran status