Engagement Manager

UAF College of Indigenous Studies; Fairbanks (AK); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused educational institution in Fairbanks, Alaska, is seeking an Engagement Manager to enhance community outreach, develop strategic partnerships, and manage communications initiatives. The ideal candidate will lead engagement projects, exhibit strong leadership, and possess excellent communication skills, ensuring alignment with institutional goals. This role requires a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations or a related field, alongside relevant experience in managing outreach programs. Join us in fostering connections within Alaska's diverse communities.

Qualifications

• 4 years of progressively responsible communications experience relevant to the program.
• Experience leading engagement or communications projects.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategic communication plans.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic partnerships and community outreach initiatives.
• Manage complex outreach programs and cultivate stakeholder relationships.
• Coordinate events and supervise staff.

Skills

Leadership and supervisory skills

Advanced communication

Experience in outreach programs

Analytical skills

Event coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Journalism, or Communications

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Desktop publishing programs

Data management tools

Job description

Join the UAF Rural, Community, and Native Education’s (RCNE) Communications & Development team as the Engagement Manager, driving strategic partnerships, community outreach, and high‑visibility initiatives for the UAF Community and Technical College (CTC) and the UAF College of Indigenous Studies (CIS). This role expands recruitment pathways, supports donor and partner engagement, and strengthens relationships across Alaska’s diverse communities. Ideal for a relationship‑builder who excels at connecting people, programs, and opportunities.

This position requires strong leadership and supervisory skills, with the ability to manage complex outreach programs and cultivate relationships with multiple stakeholders. The successful candidate will demonstrate advanced communication and public engagement abilities, including experience working within Alaska communities, particularly in rural and Alaska Native contexts. They will possess the capacity to develop strategic plans, evaluate program effectiveness, and manage project budgets while ensuring alignment with institutional goals. Knowledge of donor or partner databases (preferably Raiser’s Edge), relevant computer information systems, desktop publishing programs, and data management tools is essential. The role requires demonstrated expertise in industry standards and best practices for engagement initiatives, as well as the ability to interpret and apply rules, regulations, and laws related to communications program administration. Strong issue management, message alignment, organizational, research, and analytical skills are critical. The candidate must be able to communicate effectively across multiple media formats (verbal, written, graphic, and electronic), exercise sound judgment in decision-making, determine appropriate communication strategies, and establish and maintain professional, collaborative relationships with unit, university, and UA system colleagues, media representatives, and the public.

Success in this position comes from strong communications, planning, execution, and relationship‑building skills, paired with experience managing outreach, recruitment, or engagement programs. You should be comfortable coordinating events, supervising staff, and working with diverse partners, from high schools and nonprofits to tribal organizations and donors. A background in Alaska or rural‑serving contexts, along with the ability to navigate complex projects, exercise sound judgment, work both independently and collaboratively with a team, and adapt to shifting priorities will help you excel.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Communications or related field and four years of progressively responsible communications experience relevant to the program, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience leading engagement or communications projects, developing outreach strategies, and managing multi‑stakeholder partnerships. Supervisory experience, event coordination, philanthropy, and/or work with rural, Alaska Native, or community‑based organizations is common.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic communication or outreach or development plans, media relations, website development, social media management, and/or publication production.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: March 22, 2026 at 11:55PM AKST