Community Partnerships & Business Development Specialist - Part Time

Penn State Lady Lions; Scranton (Lackawanna County); On-site; USD 28,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

Penn State Lady Lions is seeking a part-time Community Partnerships & Business Development Specialist for the Center for Business Development and Community Outreach. The role focuses on building regional collaborations with businesses, healthcare, districts, and nonprofits to grow continuing education programs.

You will identify opportunities, secure external funding, and position the department as a key educational resource across the region.

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

Strong networking & relationship-build

Excellent written & verbal comms

Independent work & multi-priority mgmt

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in business/ communications/ education/ public admin/ nonprofit/ marketing

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, seeNotice 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.
• Established connections within the regional business and community environment.
• Experience working with chambers of commerce, workforce boards, or economic development agencies.

The ideal candidate is:

• A natural connector who enjoys meeting new people.
• Comfortable engaging with executives, community leaders, and public officials.
• Strategic, creative, and highly self-motivated.
• Passionate about expanding educational opportunities for individuals and organizations.
• Results-oriented with a demonstrated ability to develop productive partnerships.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.