Manager of Partner Engagement

North Central College; Naperville (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

All-inclusive medical, dental, and vision insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Generous paid time off

Job summary

North Central College in Naperville seeks an Assistant Vice President for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives. This role involves overseeing partner engagement and grant efforts while coordinating with various stakeholders to ensure effective execution of initiatives.

The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational skills and at least five years of experience in partnership coordination, along with a Bachelor's degree. The position offers a full-time contract with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in partnership coordination or community engagement.
• Experience with external relations, including corporate and government partners.
• Familiarity with grant processes and proposal coordination.

Responsibilities

• Manage logistics and scheduling for partner engagement.
• Support partnership-based grant initiatives and manage reporting requirements.
• Draft communications and collaborate on visibility efforts.

Skills

Organizational skills

Project management

Communication

Collaboration

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

CRM systems

Excel

Job description

Supervisor Title: Assistant Vice President for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives

Status: Full Time Regular

Salary Range: $50,000-$60,000

Position Summary

The Manager of Partner Engagement reports to the Assistant Vice President for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives (AVP‑SPI) and provides comprehensive operational, logistical, and analytical support across the AVP’s full portfolio. The Manager coordinates engagement with a wide range of external partners—including corporate, nonprofit, community, civic, and government organizations—and ensures consistent execution of partnership activities. The role also supports critical coordination with various internal campus stakeholders as it relates to partnership development. In addition, this position will manage partnership‑based grant efforts with public and private funders, including proposal development, grant management, and reporting. The Manager will assist the AVP with presidentially directed projects by conducting research, preparing materials, and analyzing data for senior leadership. As the primary operational support for the AVP‑SPI, the Manager strengthens institutional capacity to cultivate, steward, and sustain high‑impact external relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Partner Engagement Coordination

• Manage logistics, scheduling, and preparation for campus visits and meetings with corporate, nonprofit, community, civic, and government partners.
• Track partner engagement activities and maintain updated records and contact reports in the institution’s CRM.
• Draft and prepare briefing materials and follow‑up communications.
• Support stewardship activities by managing scheduling, documentation, and partner touchpoints.
• Conduct background research on prospective partners and partnership‑aligned grant opportunities.

Project & Initiative Support

• Provide operational and administrative support for cross‑campus initiatives led by the AVP‑SPI.
• Coordinate timelines, deliverables, and communications across academic and administrative offices.
• Support partnership‑based grant initiatives by organizing materials for submission, coordinating contributors, and managing reporting requirements for grant awards.
• Assist with presidentially directed projects requiring internal and/or external stakeholder coordination and detailed logistical support.
• Support the AVP‑SPI in cultivating and stewarding community and governmental relationships, including those connected to grant‑funded initiatives.

Communications & Visibility

• Draft partner‑related content, including summaries, talking points, and impact stories.
• Collaborate with Office of Institutional Communications to support visibility efforts and public‑facing messaging.
• Prepare materials for presentations, reports, and external engagement activities.
• Ensure consistent and mission‑aligned communication across partnership and grant‑related initiatives.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Experience with partnership coordination, community engagement, or external relations.
• Familiarity with grant related processes and partnership based proposal coordination.
• Ability to work collaboratively across units and with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency with CRM systems, Excel, and data tracking tools.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to prepare reports and briefings.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusive engagement practices.

Distinguishing Characteristics

An individual in this position must demonstrate the professional competence, judgment, and applied knowledge necessary to support high‑impact external engagement across corporate, nonprofit, civic, and government sectors. Success in this position depends on strong communication skills, meticulous organization, and the ability to translate partnership goals into consistent, reliable operational execution.

Education/Training

Bachelor’s degree is required. Master’s degree preferred.

Experience

A total of at least 5 years of experience within the following areas:

• Experience in partnership coordination, project management, or community engagement within higher education or nonprofit sector.
• Demonstrated experience working with corporate, nonprofit, civic, or government partners and donors, including grant‑supported initiatives.
• Experience preparing briefings, proposals, or reports for senior leadership and external partners.

Employment Conditions

An offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of the College’s background screening process.

EEO Statement

North Central College is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce. NCC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please notify the Office of Human Resources. Determinations for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis.

Benefits

• All-inclusive medical, dental and vision group insurance
• Health and dependent care savings plans
• Employer-paid life and AD&D insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions
• Employee assistance plan resources
• Tuition waiver for full‑time employees, spouse and dependent children
• Generous paid time off plans, including 3 weeks vacation to start
• 15 paid holidays per year, including 5 days during NCC Winter Break
• Free access to campus health center, fitness and athletic facilities, and library