Community Engagement, Associate

American Institute of Physics Incorporated; College Park (MD); Hybrid; USD 67,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

American Institute of Physics (AIP) seeks a highly organized Community Engagement Associate to connect SPS, Sigma Pi Sigma, external partners, and cross‑functional teams. The role emphasizes project management, event planning, and relationship building to advance undergraduate physics education.

You will help plan the biennial SPS Congress, manage budgets and volunteers, and develop program communications. This full‑time, hybrid position is based in College Park, MD, with collaboration across

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required; a master's degree is preferred.
• 5+ years of association/nonprofit or higher education experience preferred.
• 3–4 years of experience developing and leading student programs (STEM) in higher education or nonprofit management.
• Experience using project management tools (Monday.com), timelines, and tracking systems.
• Advanced proficiency in Google Workspace and MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple concurrent programs and manage annual budgets.
• Develop detailed project plans, timelines, milestones, and risk mitigation plans.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to keep projects on schedule.
• Plan and execute the SPS Congress and other large events.
• Create program communications and develop promotional materials.
• Oversee member engagement and partnerships with SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma.

Skills

Relationship-building

Project management

Communication

Leadership

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Monday.com

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Community Engagement, Associate

Regular Full-Time Professional College Park, MD, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1287

Salary Range: $66,660.00 To $73,326.00 Annually

POSITION TITLE:

Community Engagement, Associate

WHO WE ARE:

As a Federation, AIP advances the success of a community of more than 30 independent scientific organizations. They, in turn, support hundreds of thousands of professionals across many scientific and engineering disciplines. AIP creates shared spaces — forums, conversations, connections — where individual action among our Member Organizations becomes collective impact. We want you to become a part of our mission and join our dynamic team!

SUMMARY:

AIP is seeking a highly organized and relationship-focused Community Engagement Associate to serve as the critical link between the Society of Physics Students (SPS), Sigma Pi Sigma, external stakeholders, and cross-functional teams throughout AIP and the volunteer community. This highly visible position requires exceptional project management, event planning, communication, and relationship-building skills to successfully deliver programs that advance undergraduate physics education and engagement.

The Community Engagement Associate partners closely with the SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma Director and Associate Director to plan, execute, evaluate, and continuously improve a diverse portfolio of programs and initiatives. The role manages multiple complex projects simultaneously, contributes to strategic planning efforts, develops and promotes student and alumni engagement initiatives, oversees program communications and content development, and utilizes data to evaluate program effectiveness and inform future decision-making.

In partnership with the SPS leadership team, this position plays a central role in planning and executing the biennial SPS Congress, the Society's premier national event that brings together approximately 1,300 undergraduate students, faculty, alumni, and science professionals. Responsibilities include comprehensive project planning, vendor and stakeholder coordination, logistics management, volunteer leadership, budget oversight, communications, content development, onsite event management, and post-event assessment to ensure an exceptional participant experience.

The Community Engagement Associate translates strategic priorities into actionable project plans, establishes timelines and milestones, coordinates cross-functional stakeholders, proactively manages risks, and ensures successful execution of multiple concurrent initiatives. Serving as a trusted representative of SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma, this individual builds strong relationships with volunteers, faculty, students, member societies, industry partners, and external organizations while maintaining a high level of professionalism and customer service.

This hands-on program management position collaborates extensively with department colleagues, AIP staff, volunteer leaders, member societies, higher education institutions, industry partners, and public-sector organizations to design, deliver, and continuously enhance programs that strengthen undergraduate physics education, expand student and alumni engagement, foster professional development, and support the future physical sciences workforce.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Program Management

• Lead the planning, execution, monitoring, and continuous improvement of multiple concurrent programs and strategic initiatives supporting SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma. Develop, monitor, and manage annual budget(s).
• Develop detailed project plans, timelines, implementation strategies, success metrics, and risk mitigation plans to ensure successful delivery of strategic initiatives. -
• Partner with SPS Director and Associate Director to generate and promote key policy development and long-range planning for the division.
• Contribute to development and sponsorship opportunities alongside the AIP foundation, and lead grant writing and grant development for new and existing programs.
• Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation, including project plans, timelines, meeting notes, action items, status reports, and post-project evaluations.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and stakeholders to ensure projects remain on schedule, within scope, and aligned with organizational priorities.
• Work with SPS Director and Associate Director to further develop and implement projects that address the undergraduate physics experience.
• Design, manage, and evaluate innovative programs and initiatives that enhance the undergraduate physics experience and support student success.

Membership Management

• Oversee member engagement initiatives and membership data to identify trends, improve engagement, and inform strategic decisions. Manage efforts related to serving the membership of SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma.
• Implement strategies for engaging alumni members of Sigma Pi Sigma.
• Assist the Director with support of the SPS Council and Executive Committee, SPS chapters, physics departments, Member Societies, and the public.

Chapter & Conference Leadership

• Represent AIP, SPS, and Sigma Pi Sigma professionally at national meetings, conferences, campus visits, and other events while serving as an ambassador for undergraduate physics education.
• Collaborate with content, communications, and engagement teams to develop compelling event experiences, promotional materials, presentations, and participant communications.
• Serve as the primary project manager for the SPS Congress, overseeing comprehensive event planning for approximately 1,300 participants. Responsibilities include project planning, timeline development, budget tracking, venue coordination, vendor management, volunteer leadership, speaker logistics, sponsor coordination, registration oversight, communications, risk management, onsite operations, problem resolution, and post-event evaluation.

Communications & Content Development

• Develop engaging communications, marketing materials, newsletters, presentations, website content, and digital resources promoting SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma programs.
• Create and manage program content across multiple communication channels while ensuring messaging aligns with organizational goals and brand standards.
• Collaborate with communications, marketing, and digital teams to increase awareness and participation in programs and events.
• Produce reports, presentations, and other materials highlighting program outcomes and impact for internal and external audiences.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• Bachelor's degree is required, and a master's degree is preferred Background or experience working within scientific, higher education, or professional association environments preferred.
• 5+ years of association/nonprofit experience or higher education experience preferred, with a demonstrated interest in science education and/or the physical sciences.
• 3-4 years of experience in developing and leading student programs (STEM preferred) in a higher education or non-profit management environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects simultaneously while balancing competing priorities and deadlines Experience using project management tools (Monday.com), timelines, and tracking systems to successfully deliver complex initiatives.
• Advanced proficiency in Google and MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Experience with data visualization and data management systems preferred.
• Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills with demonstrated experience creating professional communications, reports, presentations, digital content, and stakeholder messaging. Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, which includes scheduling, record keeping and office management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with volunteers, students, faculty, member societies, leadership, sponsors, vendors, and partners while representing the organization with professionalism and diplomacy. Self-starter, of high integrity, able to adhere to governance and confidentiality, and to function effectively with minimal supervision.
• Ability to anticipate challenges, independently solve problems, and make sound decisions in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
• Ability to travel and work outside of normal business hours is required. Experience in education, databases, and/or academia is desirable.

TO APPLY:

Include a resume and a cover letter. We encourage you to apply even if your experience does not fully match the position description. At AIP, we embrace considering people from a diversity of backgrounds and career experiences.

COMPENSATION:

$66,660.00 - $73,326.00

WORKING AT AIP:

AIP embraces a flexible hybrid work environment to balance in-person collaborative work with remote work. The team works in a flexible, hybrid schedule and reports to our offices in College Park, Maryland and Washington, DC, as needed. Employees are required to reside in the DC Metro regions of Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC. We offer comprehensive benefits, including generous paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, an annual retirement contribution of 10% of base pay, tuition assistance, commuter benefits, and more.Your colleagues at AIP are welcoming, gracious, and eager to help each other succeed. With our commitment to community service, institute-wide social opportunities, and ongoing learning and development, AIP is a rewarding place to work.

ABOUT AIP:

Scientific discovery shapes our lives every day. And AIP empowers the organizations and people that make those discoveries possible.

As a Federation, AIP advances the success of a community of more than 30 independent scientific organizations. They, in turn, support hundreds of thousands of professionals across many scientific and engineering disciplines. AIP creates shared spaces — forums, conversations, connections — where individual action among our Member Organizations becomes collective impact.

As an Institute, AIP preserves the history of discovery so the past can guide the future. We study how research is done, who participates, and what holds people back or propels them to succeed. Our findings inform policy, practice, and decision-making across the physical sciences. We are especially focused on the next generation of physical scientists and committed to ensuring talent from anywhere can thrive in our fields.

Humanity needs science. And science needs people and organizations working together to tackle our planet’s toughest challenges. Together, we can advance science, empower scientists, and ensure discovery continues to shape our lives.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Join our team of energized, charismatic, collaborative, and passionate individuals, and contribute to making a difference in the field of physical sciences!