Community Engagement Manager, Emerging Technologies

University Of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & dental

Retirement matching

Paid time off

Professional development

Job summary

Merit Network is seeking a Community Engagement Manager to advance emerging technology initiatives, foster strategic partnerships, and drive business development across higher education and research sectors. You will translate complex tech concepts for diverse stakeholders and lead initiatives from discovery to action, including Rural Health Care program expansion.

The role emphasizes relationship-building, technical curiosity, and cross-functional collaboration, with travel across Michigan and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in information technology, business, telecommunications, higher education, research administration, public policy, or related discipline.
• 5+ years in business development, consultative technology engagement, or related field.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop expertise in emerging technologies and research infrastructure relevant to Merit's community.
• Build relationships with higher education, research, and technology stakeholders.
• Lead discovery to understand requirements and identify opportunities for partnerships and services.
• Translate trends into actionable opportunities for Merit and its community.
• Manage multiple opportunities and collaborate across teams.

Skills

Business development

Relationship building

Strategic communication

Presentation skills

Technical fluency

Independent research

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT or related field

Job description

Community Engagement Manager, Emerging Technologies

At Merit Network, we believe technology has the power to connect people, strengthen communities, and expand opportunity. For 60 years, our nonprofit organization has supported education, research, healthcare, government, libraries, tribal organizations, and nonprofits through innovative technology and connectivity solutions. Join a team of passionate professionals who are committed to making an impact and helping create a future where communities have the tools and connections they need to thrive.

In this Community Engagement Manager role, you will help Merit identify and develop new opportunities at the intersection of technology, research, healthcare, and community needs. Reporting to the Executive Director of Member Services & Community Engagement, you will build strategic relationships, explore emerging needs and technologies, and connect organizations with Merit's services, infrastructure, expertise, and partnerships to create meaningful solutions and new opportunities.

Your work will focus across three key areas: advancing emerging technology and research initiatives within higher education, growing participation in the Rural Health Care Program, and developing strategic business and partnership opportunities with Merit members and prospective members. You will engage with a wide range of stakeholders to understand their goals and challenges, translate complex technical concepts into relevant opportunities, and help move ideas from discovery into action.

This is a strong opportunity for someone who enjoys building relationships, learning about rapidly evolving technologies, navigating complex challenges, and bringing people and ideas together. You do not need to arrive as an expert in every technology or program this role will encounter. We are looking for someone with the curiosity, technical fluency, relationship-building skills, and business development experience to develop that expertise and use it to create value for Merit and the communities we serve.

Have questions about the role or want to learn more before applying?

Join our informal, open-forum Zoom sessions to connect with the hiring team! Drop in at any time during the hour and stay as long as you'd like - whether you have specific questions or just want to listen in.

Essential Functions for this position are followed by an (E). As the Community Engagement Manager, your key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Emerging Technology & Education Research Engagement - 40%

• Develop expertise in emerging technologies and research infrastructure relevant to Merit's community, initially including sensor networks and research IoT, quantum networking, AI democratization, and cyberinfrastructure. (E)
• Build relationships with higher education, research, and technology stakeholders to understand emerging needs, challenges, and opportunities. (E)
• Lead consultative discovery to understand technical and organizational requirements and identify opportunities where Merit's infrastructure, services, expertise, or partnerships can create value. (E)
• Translate complex technology trends and research requirements into actionable business, partnerships, service, and strategic opportunities for Merit and its community. (E)
• Monitor research and education technology trends, participate in relevant professional communities, and represent Merit as a knowledgeable resource and collaborative partner.
• Partner across Merit to evaluate emerging opportunities and contribute to market research, solution development, and go-to-market strategies.
• Lead Merit's Rural Health Care (RHC) Program , serving as the subject matter and business development lead expert on FCC/USAC requirements in order to identify where these technologies create opportunities for Merit and our members. (E)
• In coordination with Engagement department resources, develop the Engagement strategy to achieve the 10% RHC adoption-growth goal including development of a targeted pipeline of prospective RHC participants, particularly healthcare organizations and eligible higher education institutions with a heavy focus on rural entities. (E)
• Conduct proactive outreach, eligibility discovery, education, presentations, webinars, and consultations for the RHC program .

Strategic Business Development Account Management - 30%

• Serve as primary relationship owner for key regional and statewide accounts providing and maintaining customer focused engagement, service needs assessment and planning in order to translate member challenges into opportunities. This also guides roadmap alignment through partnership with internal teams to align solutions with member and stakeholder outcomes. (E)
• Develop and execute a business plan identifying strategies to grow membership and relationships for strategic market verticals and organizations, and expand adoption of Merit services with a focus on key members within higher education, research, and innovation communities to drive revenue generation. (E)
• Document and manage opportunities, activities, pipeline information, forecasts, and outcomes using Merit CRM and related systems. (E)
• Work collaboratively with assigned Community Engagement Managers to advance opportunities while maintaining appropriate account ownership and relationship coordination.
• Support development of proposals, concept papers, presentations, pilot opportunities, grant partnerships, and other business-development materials.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of you for this job. Responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Supervisory Responsibility

You have no supervisory responsibilities, however at times will direct the work of others within the scope of project management activities.

This job operates in a professional office environment. You will routinely use standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, cloud-based systems, and AV/teleconferencing software & equipment.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee (with or without accommodations) to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Employees must frequently work at computer stations, answer telephone calls, emails, and/or other forms of customer/client communication. Employees may on occasion be required to move items of various sizes throughout the office or building.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree in information technology, business, telecommunications, higher education, research administration, public policy, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• At least five (5) years of experience in business development, consultative technology engagement, higher education, research technology, telecommunications, healthcare technology, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to develop relationships and business opportunities within higher education, research, healthcare, government, or nonprofit environments.
• Demonstrated ability to understand complex technical concepts and communicate their relevance to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience conducting discovery and translating organizational or technical requirements into potential solutions, partnerships, or business opportunities.
• Experience developing business plans, engagement strategies, proposals, presentations, or similar business-development materials.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills, including experience communicating with executive, technical, research, and community audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to independently research and develop expertise in rapidly evolving technologies and programs.
• Ability to develop and manage multiple opportunities and initiatives simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Willingness to travel throughout Michigan and occasionally outside Michigan.

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience working within or supporting higher education and research environments.
• Knowledge of research and education networking and advanced networking infrastructure including familiarity with Internet of Things (IoT), sensor networks, edge computing, research data infrastructure, AI infrastructure, quantum networking, or related emerging technologies.
• Experience developing technology pilots, research partnerships, public-private partnerships, or multi-institutional collaborations.
• Experience with federal technology, research, broadband, or healthcare funding programs such as the FCC Universal Service Fund and Rural Health Care Program, particularly the Healthcare Connect Fund as well as engaging with healthcare organizations.

Modes of Work

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time, hybrid position. Though the typical work schedule is 8am - 5pm, Monday through Friday for most staff, your work schedule will be determined with your supervisor and may change if necessary.

During your 6-month probationary period, you will be required to work on-site for at least 3 days per week at Merit's office location:

880 Technology Dr., Suite B

Following, working on-site will be required for a minimum of 2 days per week determined in partnership with your supervisor. In addition, ad-hoc on-site meetings and events may be needed with adequate notice provided.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes .

There may be some occasional work required outside of the established schedule, which may include evenings, weekends and holidays.

Travel

Some travel within and outside of Michigan will be required.

Additional Information

Starting salary range is $80,000-$87,000, depending on experience and credentials.

Enjoy comprehensive benefits that support your health, well-being, and future, including:

• Full access to medical and dental insurance for you and your eligible dependents
• Generous 2:1 retirement matching to help you plan for your long-term goals
• Paid vacation, sick time, holidays, and additional paid time off to support work-life balance
• Access to a variety of well-being programs, resources, and campus perks
• Professional development opportunities and educational assistance to further your career

If you have any other questions regarding this role, please contact [e-mail].

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.