Outreach and Partnerships Coordinator

Iowa State University - College of Design; United States; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Iowa State University - College of Design seeks an Outreach and Partnerships Coordinator to oversee the day-to-day operations of its community and partner engagement programs. The role requires strong project management, coordination skills, and the ability to balance multiple priorities while applying technical skills to inform recommendations and measure outcomes.

Responsibilities include coordinating activities with faculty, staff, students, and external partners, providing technical

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 2 years of related experience.
• Valid U.S. Driver's License.
• Strong project management and coordination skills.
• Ability to balance multiple projects and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day community engagement programs, including developing timelines, organizing events, tracking deliverables, and ensuring activities align with program goals.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and external partners to coordinate program activities, support project implementation, and advance community engagement initiatives.
• Provide technical assistance through site visits, workshops, reports, presentations, database development, and outreach materials to support project activities and partner needs.
• Identify and recruit community partners, including local governments, elected officials, nonprofit organizations, and private-sector representatives, while maintaining effective working relationships.
• Assist with grant applications, funding opportunities, program development, and the expansion of community partnerships and outreach initiatives.
• Monitor project progress, analyze data and survey results, evaluate program outcomes, and document impact to inform reporting and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate follow-up activities with partners, faculty, and students to support project implementation, strengthen relationships, and achieve program objectives.

Skills

2+ years experience

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Position Title: Outreach and Partnerships Coordinator

Job Group: Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of related experience. Special Required Qualifications: Valid U.S. Driver's License.

Job Description: The Institute for Design Research and Outreach (IDRO) in the College of Design is seeking an Outreach and Partnerships Coordinator (Program Specialist II) to oversee the day-to-day operations of the college’s community and partner engagement programs. Success in this role requires strong project management and coordination skills, the ability to balance multiple projects and competing priorities, and a proactive, organized approach to completing tasks. The position also requires applying technical skills to community and local government issues, including analyzing trends, interpreting survey data, evaluating project goals, and using findings to inform recommendations and measure outcomes.

Examples of Duties

• Coordinate day-to-day community engagement programs, including developing timelines, organizing events, tracking deliverables, and ensuring activities align with program goals.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and external partners to coordinate program activities, support project implementation, and advance community engagement initiatives.
• Provide technical assistance through site visits, workshops, reports, presentations, database development, and outreach materials to support project activities and partner needs.
• Identify and recruit community partners, including local governments, elected officials, nonprofit organizations, and private‑sector representatives, while maintaining effective working relationships.
• Assist with grant applications, funding opportunities, program development, and the expansion of community partnerships and outreach initiatives.
• Monitor project progress, analyze data and survey results, evaluate program outcomes, and document impact to inform reporting and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate follow‑up activities with partners, faculty, and students to support project implementation, strengthen relationships, and achieve program objectives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, design, community development, public administration, or a related field.
• Experience in community engagement, partnership development, and stakeholder relationship management.
• Strong facilitation and presentation skills, including the ability to support and coordinate meetings, workshops, and group discussions.
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to prepare professional correspondence to elected officials, organize complex information, and present ideas clearly and effectively.
• Familiarity with Iowa local governments, elected officials, nonprofit organizations, and community-based partnerships.

The Institute for Design Research and Outreach (IDRO) encompasses the research, extension, and outreach missions of the College of Design. Broadly defined, IDRO’s overall mission is to stimulate and support research, extension, and outreach efforts in areas of strength and relevance to the design disciplines. The institute promotes interdisciplinary design research, facilitates communication with design professionals and the public, and responds to the needs of the people of Iowa in areas associated with the design disciplines. Projects often are conducted collaboratively, and individual faculty may be involved in several different programs at the same time. Through IDRO, faculty and students work together with citizen groups, businesses, communities, nonprofit organizations and government agencies in addressing problems to improve the quality of our built environment and our lives.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Appointment Type: Regular Number of Months Employed Per Year: 12 Month Work Period Time Type: Full time Pay Grade: PS807 Original Posting Date: November 4, 2026 Posting Close Date: November 11, 2026 Job Requisition Number: R20141

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran.

Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. [phone], email [e-mail].

Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.