Community Partnerships & Business Development Specialist - Part Time

Penn State University; Scranton (Lackawanna County); On-site; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

Penn State University’s Center for Business Development and Community Outreach seeks a part-time Community Partnerships & Business Development Specialist to build strategic partnerships across business, healthcare, school districts, workforce agencies, nonprofits, and government entities. The role focuses on growing continuing education programs and external funding opportunities across the region.

The position will engage with the community, identify opportunities, and support grant

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in business, communications, education, public administration, nonprofit management, marketing, or related field.
• Minimum of three years of experience in community relations, business development, workforce development, fundraising, outreach, or partnership management.
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Continuing Education Department at community events, professional meetings, business networking functions, and workforce development activities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with employers, industry leaders, community organizations, and government agencies.
• Identify emerging workforce and professional development needs within the region.
• Serve as a liaison between community partners and Continuing Education staff.
• Research and identify grants, sponsorships, and other funding opportunities aligned with departmental goals.
• Assist in developing partnerships that support workforce training, credential programs, and community initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to support grant applications and partnership proposals.
• Maintain a database of funding opportunities and community contacts.
• Identify opportunities for customized training, professional development programs, and workforce education initiatives.
• Gather market intelligence and community feedback to inform new program development.
• Support outreach efforts to increase enrollment and participation in Continuing Education offerings.
• Assist in developing strategic initiatives that expand the department's reach and impact.

Skills

Networking and relationship-building

Written communication

Verbal communication

Independent work

Time management / multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in business, communications, education, public administration, nonprofit management, marketing, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

Job Description And Position Requirements

The Center for Business Development and Community Outreach seeks an energetic, relationship-focused professional to serve as a Community Partnerships & Business Development Specialist. This position is responsible for building and maintaining strategic partnerships with businesses, healthcare organizations, school districts, workforce development agencies, nonprofits, government entities, and community leaders to support the growth of continuing education programs.

The successful candidate will actively engage with the community, identify new business and workforce training opportunities, seek external funding sources, and help position the department as a valuable educational resource across the region.

The position is part time and will work approximately 20-24 hours per week.

Key Responsibilities

Community Outreach and Partnership Development

• Represent the Continuing Education Department at community events, professional meetings, business networking functions, and workforce development activities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with employers, industry leaders, community organizations, and government agencies.
• Identify emerging workforce and professional development needs within the region.
• Serve as a liaison between community partners and Continuing Education staff.

Funding and Resource Development

• Research and identify grants, sponsorships, and other funding opportunities aligned with departmental goals.
• Assist in developing partnerships that support workforce training, credential programs, and community initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to support grant applications and partnership proposals.
• Maintain a database of funding opportunities and community contacts.

Business and Program Development

• Identify opportunities for customized training, professional development programs, and workforce education initiatives.
• Gather market intelligence and community feedback to inform new program development.
• Support outreach efforts to increase enrollment and participation in Continuing Education offerings.
• Assist in developing strategic initiatives that expand the department's reach and impact.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in business, communications, education, public administration, nonprofit management, marketing, or related field.
• Minimum of three years of experience in community relations, business development, workforce development, fundraising, outreach, or partnership management.
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred

• Experience in higher education, workforce development, economic development, healthcare outreach, or nonprofit organizations.
• Knowledge of grant funding processes and proposal development.]