Engagement Coordinator - Materials Science and Engineering

Illinois International; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is seeking an Engagement Coordinator to design and execute programs that educate students and the public about materials science. The role focuses on recruitment through alumni engagement and maintaining an active network with high schools and industry partners.

You will collaborate with faculty and staff to sustain a positive engagement culture, manage event logistics, and publish recruiting

Qualifications

• Two years in education, training and/or work experience leading an engagement, advancement, recruitment, sales, or related program.
• Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, education, or a related field.
• Five or more years of related professional work experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading engagement, educational programs, advancement, or recruiting efforts.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute events (undergraduate picnic, awards banquet, graduation brunch, holiday party, senior design poster session).
• Partner with undergraduate student organizations to support event planning and conference participation.
• Engage with current students to assess academic needs and build rapport with students and faculty.
• Manage communication platform for undergraduate students and maintain engagement channels.
• Build relationships with industry partners for professional development seminars and on-site student visits.
• Coordinate annual Materials Science & Engineering focused career fair and post-grad job search activities.

Skills

Relationship building

Communication

Event planning

Social media

Education

Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, education, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

DAWS

Job description

Engagement Coordinator - Materials Science and Engineering

Department of Materials Science and Engineering

The Grainger College of Engineering

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MatSE) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is seeking candidates for an Engagement Coordinator position. The Engagement Coordinator will develop, coordinate, and execute engagement programs that educate students and the public about the importance and relevance of materials science and engineering. In this role, the coordinator will maintain operational infrastructure and processes to guide student engagement activities from recruitment through alumni status.The coordinator will build a network of high school contacts for recruiting undergraduates and will maintain close engagement with current students. This position will work closely with faculty and staff to build and maintain an overall culture of positive engagement.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Current Student Engagement

• Plan and execute events, including the undergraduate picnic, awards banquet, graduation brunch, holiday party, and senior design poster session.
• Partner with undergraduate student organizations, including Material Advantage and Keramos, to support their efforts, including event planning and participation in professional conferences.
• Actively engage with current students to determine and respond to their changing academic needs by attending meetings with students, building rapport, collecting job placement and graduate school data, and discussing these needs with the department head and faculty to further the educational experience for undergraduate students.
• Manage the communication platform for undergraduate students.
• Build relationships with industry partners to establish regularly occurring professional development seminars and on-site visits for students.
• Collaborate with industry partners to establish an annual Materials Science & Engineering focused career fair and other ways to support post-grad job search efforts.
• Support the undergraduate recruiting committee by organizing and hosting meetings with prospective and admitted high school students.
• Arrange events that bring prospective students together with MatSE staff and faculty to enhance undergraduate recruiting efforts, including virtual meetings, demonstrations, and in-person visits.
• Work with College and departmental communications staff to advertise events.
• Maintain a working knowledge of engagement efforts in other departments throughout the College to share best practices.
• Create and publish recruiting materials, including social media content, physical mailers, and handouts.
• Build relationships with targeted high schools and their faculty for recruiting top students.
• Lead logistical planning for Getting Excited about Materials & Middle School Generation Learning about Materials Science camps for students.

Departmental Support

• Complete scholarship entries in DAWS for incoming and current undergraduate students.
• Build relationships with the communications team to develop content about events for social media.
• Plan and execute faculty investitures.
• Partner with the alumni board to program biannual meetings and with student leadership to organize, coordinate and execute the alumni-student mentorship program.
• Assume additional appropriate duties to further the mission of the Department.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications

• A total of two (2) years (24 months) in education, training and/or work experience leading an engagement, advancement, recruitment, sales, or related program

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, education, or a related field.
• Five or more years of related professional work experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading engagement, educational programs, advancement, or recruiting efforts.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with constituents.
• Demonstrated interest in science, engineering, or related technical fields.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with demonstrated experience working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with prospective students, current students, alumni, faculty, and senior administrators.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with a broad range of internal and external constituents.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise good judgment in making decisions in accordance with University policies.
• Ability to research, organize, and manage information and data accurately and with attention to detail.
• Ability to follow established protocols and procedures.
• Demonstrated organizational and planning skills.
• Basic knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite.
• Awareness of current social media platforms.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

This is a full-time Civil Service Program Coordinator position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. The budgeted annual salary range for this position is $50,000 - $65,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. This position will be expected to work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on a full-time basis per the University’s Workplace Flexibility policy . The primary work schedule will be during standard business hours. However, occasional evening and other after-hours work will be required to support events such as recruiting activities. This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions —every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, a retirement plan, paid time off, and tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal , or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [e-mail] .