Coalition Specialist

Institute for Public Leadership; Omaha (NE); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Institute for Public Leadership seeks a Coalition Specialist to develop and sustain statewide coalitions across Nebraska, engaging diverse stakeholders to advance shared policy and community goals.

Based in Omaha with hybrid work and 20–30% statewide travel, the role requires entrepreneurial drive, autonomy, and the ability to coordinate meetings, foster consensus, and deliver measurable outcomes for youth development.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in coalition building or related field preferred.
• Proven facilitation experience leading diverse groups toward consensus among stakeholders.
• Strong relationship-building skills with community leaders, nonprofits, and public officials.
• Deep understanding of Nebraska's political, cultural and community landscape across urban and rural areas.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including outreach and advocacy messaging.
• Self-starter with ability to work independently and travel statewide.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary coordinator and facilitator for two statewide coalitions: Nebraska Alliance for Thriving Communities and Collective for Youth.
• Keep coalition members aligned, engaged, informed, and focused on shared goals and priorities.
• Manage coalition communications, including member outreach, updates, and information sharing.
• Plan, organize, coordinate, and facilitate coalition meetings, events, and collaborative activities.
• Support advocacy, policy, and systems-change initiatives that advance community well-being and youth development.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with coalition members, community partners, policymakers, and other stakeholders across Nebraska.
• Foster collaboration among diverse organizations and individuals to strengthen collective impact and statewide outcomes.
• Help coalition members stay connected, organized, and engaged in ongoing initiatives and projects.
• Identify opportunities to improve coalition effectiveness, member engagement, and overall impact.
• Operate with a high degree of autonomy, initiative, and accountability in a newly created role.
• Bring entrepreneurial thinking, fresh ideas, and innovative approaches to strengthen existing coalitions and networks.
• Facilitate consensus-building and navigate diverse perspectives to help groups reach common goals.
• Monitor progress toward coalition objectives and support the achievement of meaningful, measurable outcomes.
• Coordinate multiple priorities and projects while maintaining strong organizational and relationship-management practices.
• Serve as a trusted resource and connector for coalition partners across the state.

Skills

Coalition building

Facilitation

Stakeholder engagement

Policy advocacy

Project management

Job description

*For any inquiries please email [e-mail]*

Position Summary

The Coalition Specialist is a vital role responsible for the development, maintenance, growth, and facilitation of select statewide coalitions. This role primarily focuses on building and sustaining alliances among diverse stakeholders to achieve shared policy and community goals.

Given this is a newly created position, the ideal candidate must possess an entrepreneurial drive and a high degree of flexibility, with the ability to strategically build and refine the role over time in direct response to the assessed needs of diverse coalitions and communities across Nebraska.

This is a hybrid remote/in-person position based in Omaha, Nebraska. Some statewide travel (approx. 20–30%) is required to engage with rural and urban communities, including occasional overnight stays.

Job Requirements

• Serve as the primary coordinator and facilitator for two established statewide coalitions: Nebraska Alliance for Thriving Communities and Collective for Youth.
• Keep coalition members aligned, engaged, informed, and focused on achieving shared goals and priorities.
• Manage coalition communications, including member outreach, updates, and information sharing.
• Plan, organize, coordinate, and facilitate coalition meetings, events, and collaborative activities.
• Support advocacy, policy, and systems-change initiatives that advance community well-being and youth development.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with coalition members, community partners, policymakers, and other stakeholders across Nebraska.
• Foster collaboration among diverse organizations and individuals to strengthen collective impact and statewide outcomes.
• Help coalition members stay connected, organized, and engaged in ongoing initiatives and projects.
• Identify opportunities to improve coalition effectiveness, member engagement, and overall impact.
• Operate with a high degree of autonomy, initiative, and accountability in a newly created role.
• Bring entrepreneurial thinking, fresh ideas, and innovative approaches to strengthen existing coalitions and networks.
• Facilitate consensus-building and navigate diverse perspectives to help groups reach common goals.
• Monitor progress toward coalition objectives and support the achievement of meaningful, measurable outcomes.
• Coordinate multiple priorities and projects while maintaining strong organizational and relationship-management practices.
• Serve as a trusted resource and connector for coalition partners across the state.

Job Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in coalition building, with additional experience in community organizing, public policy, advocacy, stakeholder engagement, or a related field preferred.
• Proven facilitation experience leading diverse groups toward shared goals, managing differing viewpoints, and building consensus among stakeholders.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to engage community leaders, coalition members, nonprofit organizations, and public officials.
• Deep understanding of Nebraska's political, cultural, and community landscape across both urban and rural areas preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience managing member communications, newsletters, outreach efforts, and advocacy-related messaging.
• Experience supporting advocacy, policy, or community engagement initiatives and helping stakeholders align around common objectives.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to coordinate multiple priorities and stakeholder groups simultaneously.
• Self-starter who is comfortable working independently and taking initiative with minimal direction.
• Ability to thrive in both virtual and in-person environments.
• Willingness to travel throughout Nebraska and engage with diverse communities and coalition partners.