Outreach and Engagement Manager

OpenSky Policy Institute; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

OpenSky Policy Institute is seeking an Outreach and Engagement Manager to advance education policy initiatives and coordinate InvestEd Nebraska partnerships. You will lead coalition planning, manage events, and craft communications with policy teams to broaden support and impact.

The role emphasizes stakeholder engagement, project leadership, and the ability to operate in a fast-paced policy environment while fostering diverse statewide participation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Communications, Education or related field recommended.
• 2–3 years of experience in community engagement or outreach.
• Experience with education systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate outreach events and coalition activities.
• Build and maintain relationships with community partners.
• Coordinate scheduling, meeting agendas, and materials.
• Support policy advocacy and policy communications.
• Track engagement metrics and report progress.
• Represent OpenSky and InvestED Nebraska at events.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Policy advocacy

Strategic thinking

Communication

Editorial skills

Bilingual Spanish

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Communications, Education or related field

Tools

Digital engagement tools

Phone banking

Text messaging

Digital advertising platforms

Job description

Position Title: Outreach and Engagement Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports to: Outreach and Engagement Director

Date Created: October 2026

Position Summary: The Outreach and Engagement Manager plays a pivotal role in advancing OpenSky Policy Institute’s mission by building support for the organization’s legislative agenda and policy priorities, with a particular focus on K-12 education policy and finance. Primary responsibilities include forming and maintaining strategic partnerships with communities and other stakeholders, coordinating outreach events and activities, and contributing to the development of communications content. The Outreach and Engagement Manager is also the primary staff person supporting InvestEd Nebraska, a new coalition committed to a just and fully funded public education system. In this role, the responsibilities include project management, stakeholder engagement and administrative support. This position plays a critical role in facilitating strategy coordination between OpenSky and InvestEd. The Outreach and Engagement Manager works closely with Open Sky’s policy research and communications teams and engages with diverse external partners. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who can work independently, manage multiple priorities and is eager to learn, grow, communicate and take on new challenges in a fast-paced policy environment.

Essential Job Functions

Coalition Strategic Planning and Work Plan Support:

• Facilitate strategic planning processes to set short- and long-term coalition goals
• Co-lead the development and implementation of a coalition work plan
• Serve as the primary point of contact between InvestED and OpenSky to identify issues alignment and ensure effective collaboration and coordination

Coalition Management and Scheduling:

• Coordinate scheduling, set meeting agendas and manage meeting materials for all coalition and workgroup meetings
• Record and share meeting notes and action items
• Maintain and update coalition and workgroup contact lists
• Track coalition and workgroup calendars and key deadlines in a coalition work plan

Workgroup Support and Project Management:

• Support workgroups to coordinate tasks, ensure follow-up on action items and achieve deliverables across coalition initiatives
• Identify resources and supports necessary for work group projects
• Prepare and provide regular status updates related to coalition projects and goals
• Track project outcomes and engagement metrics

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Development:

• Build and maintain relationships with community partners and coalition stakeholders
• Identify and engage potential coalition members with a particular focus on ensuring diverse statewide membership
• Maintain strategic relationships with policy advocacy organizations, industry groups, nonprofits, community leaders and other key stakeholders
• Identify opportunities to support coalition partner events that cultivate new stakeholders.
• Coordinate engagement efforts with partner organizations
• Represent InvestED Nebraska and OpenSky at meetings, events and community functions as appropriate

Communications and Narrative Strategy:

• Assist in crafting and disseminating OpenSky and InvestEd communications and messaging across audiences, including copy-editing and proofreading to ensure alignment with organizational priorities
• Design and implement outreach and engagement plans aligned with partner and organizational policy objectives
• Collaborate with policy analysts and communications staff to support legislative and policy advocacy including drafting and reviewing legislative testimony and advocacy materials, and managing the organization’s social media content calendar

Event Planning and Coordination:

• Plan and coordinate InvestED Nebraska in-person and virtual meetings and events, including event timelines, logistics and deliverables
• Support OpenSky events, including planning and logistics as needed

Preferred Talents

• Experience working in policy advocacy, government affairs, public affairs or related environments.
• Strong written communication and editorial skills.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a team player and foster collaboration across a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate complex issues to diverse audiences and stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking, political judgment and strong relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency in training and facilitation.
• A passion for evidence-based policy decisions, particularly within the education sector.
• High attention to detail, professionalism and sound ethical judgment.
• Bilingual Spanish language skills preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Communications, Education or a related field preferred.
• 2-3 years of experience in community engagement, organizing outreach events or related work. Experience with the education system is preferred.
• Facility using digital or virtual engagement tools, including phone banking, text messaging, and digital advertising platforms.

Working Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be exposed to indoor conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Occasional travel is required.