Manager – Academic Engagement

Jobtailor; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

IFTSA seeks a seasoned program manager to design and lead engagement and leadership initiatives for student members in Chicago. The role supports the IFT Student Association Board, coordinates events, and aligns activities with strategic goals while managing budgets and internal processes.

The position requires strong project and volunteer management, excellent communication, and ability to collaborate across teams. Occasional travel and evening commitments are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, management, communications, education, or equivalent.
• 5+ years of experience or demonstrated competency in a similar position requiring progressive administrative responsibilities and program management.
• Project management software experience preferred.
• Experience with volunteer or program management preferred.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suites.
• Ability to attend occasional evening, weekend, and overnight meetings.
• Occasional domestic travel.
• Ability to sit and stand for sustained periods.
• Close visual acuity for preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, and viewing a computer terminal.

Responsibilities

• Design engagement and leadership development opportunities for student members.
• Serve as staff resource to the IFT Student Association Board of Directors.
• Lead development of student member experiences supporting engagement, retention, and recruitment.
• Execute IFTSA activities and align them with strategic goals.
• Serve as staff liaison to IFTSA task forces and committees.
• Support student chapter and club growth through bi-monthly virtual workshops.
• Analyze member research to influence student initiatives.
• Develop and implement networking and educational opportunities.
• Prepare and manage budgets and forecast financial performance.
• Build a pipeline of student leaders through volunteer identification, recruitment, engagement, and training.
• Manage submissions, reviews, reporting, and documentation for competitions, awards, and leadership programs using the RhythmQ portal.
• Provide logistical support for volunteer groups and eight student competitions, awards, and the annual event closing ceremony.
• Represent IFT at annual and other organization or industry events.
• Develop productive relationships with IFT members and staff across teams and departments.
• Manage applications and dissemination for student competitions, student and new professional programs, and travel grants.
• Own web content and online communities for student sites.
• Maintain student volunteer lists in the organizational database.
• Lead and support RhythmQ portal technology for student and faculty programs.
• Manage the IFT-HERB program approval process through RhythmQ.
• Support initiatives attracting, retaining, and celebrating future food scientists through IFT Fund Motivate and Pathful opportunities.
• Cultivate a strong employee and student experience.
• Respond to customer and member needs throughout the business relationship.
• Ensure compliance with industry and legal regulations, best practices, and company procedures.

Skills

Program Management

Volunteer Management

Budget Management

Leadership Development

Event Coordination

Project Management Software Experience

Networking Opportunities Development

Member Engagement Strategies

Logistical Support

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, management, communications, education, or equivalent

Tools

RhythmQ Portal

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

• Design and implement engagement and leadership development opportunities for student members
• Serve as staff resource to the IFT Student Association Board of Directors
• Lead development of student member experiences supporting engagement, retention, and recruitment
• Execute IFTSA activities and align them with strategic goals
• Serve as staff liaison to IFTSA task forces and committees
• Support student chapter and club growth through bi-monthly virtual workshops
• Analyze member research to influence student initiatives
• Develop and implement networking and educational opportunities
• Prepare and manage budgets and forecast financial performance
• Build a pipeline of student leaders through volunteer identification, recruitment, engagement, and training
• Manage submissions, reviews, reporting, and documentation for competitions, awards, and leadership programs using the RhythmQ portal
• Provide logistical support for volunteer groups and eight student competitions, awards, and the annual event closing ceremony
• Represent IFT at annual and other organization or industry events
• Develop productive relationships with IFT members and staff across teams and departments
• Manage applications and dissemination for student competitions, student and new professional programs, and travel grants
• Own web content and online communities for student sites
• Maintain student volunteer lists in the organizational database
• Lead and support RhythmQ portal technology for student and faculty programs
• Manage the IFT-HERB program approval process through RhythmQ
• Support initiatives attracting, retaining, and celebrating future food scientists through IFT Fund Motivate and Pathful opportunities
• Cultivate a strong employee and student experience
• Respond to customer and member needs throughout the business relationship
• Ensure compliance with industry and legal regulations, best practices, and company procedures

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, management, communications, education, or equivalent
• 5+ years of experience or demonstrated competency in a similar position requiring progressive administrative responsibilities and program management
• Project management software experience preferred
• Experience with volunteer or program management preferred
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suites
• Ability to attend occasional evening, weekend, and overnight meetings
• Occasional domestic travel
• Ability to sit and stand for sustained periods
• Ability to frequently talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate objects or controls
• Ability to occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel, and crouch
• Close visual acuity for preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, and viewing a computer terminal

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in program management, volunteer engagement, and leadership development, with a strong focus on strategic alignment and member relationship building. Proficient in budget management and compliance with industry regulations.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Program Management
• Volunteer Management
• Budget Management
• Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency
• Project Management Software Experience

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Program Management
• Budget Management
• Data Analysis
• Event Coordination
• Volunteer Recruitment
• Leadership Development
• Compliance Management
• Networking Opportunities Development
• Member Engagement Strategies
• Logistical Support

Soft Skills

• Relationship Building
• Communication
• Team Collaboration
• Customer Service
• Problem Solving

Industry Keywords

• Student Engagement
• Leadership Development
• Food Science
• Volunteer Programs
• Strategic Goals Alignment

Tools & Technologies

• RhythmQ Portal
• Microsoft Office Suite