Program and Community Outreach Manager

Freedom's Way National Heritage Area; Harvard, Concord (MA, MA); Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area seeks a Program and Community Outreach Manager to enhance public and partner engagement across 45 communities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. You’ll elevate programming quality, expand partnerships, and broaden the organization’s reach.

Reporting to the Executive Director, you will orchestrate grants, partner meetings, workshops, and public programs, while using social media and outreach to increase participation, with occasional remote work and travel.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in public programming, visitor engagement, or museum education.
• Bachelor’s Degree in related field; Master’s preferred.
• Proven experience developing programs and managing partners.
• Track record engaging community organizations and volunteers.
• Strong communication and event management skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage current programming like Hidden Treasures Festival of Nature, Culture & History; Partnership Grant Program; Legacy Grant Program; Pathways Internship Program; partner gatherings; and other programs.
• Develop, refine, and formulate programming for partners and the public to increase engagement and participation, including workshops, conferences, and webinars.
• Use social media and local publicity to promote the website and app and drive interest.
• Curate content and collateral to populate the website, improving its relevance and usefulness for tourists and locals.
• Identify and deepen relationships with community stakeholders; plan meetings and surveys, and gather feedback.
• Support planning and execution of events, travel as needed, and alignment with the organization's goals.

Skills

Public programming

Volunteer management

Partner relations

Community engagement

Donor management

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Little Green Light

Adobe InDesign

Job description

Program and Community Outreach Manager: Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area

The Program and Community Outreach manager supports public and partner engagement within the 45 communities of the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area.

The position is charged with elevating the quality, scope, and visibility of the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area’s programming and helping to expand the organization’s reputation as a leader and innovator within the region.

The Program and Community Outreach Manager will be actively engaged in strengthening and expanding existing networks of partner organizations and supporters through public programs; grantmaking and supporting partner programming; as well organizing and helping to facilitate community and partner meetings and professional development opportunities.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record in public programming, volunteer management and partner relations; excel at building and nurturing relationships; have experience with and passion for working with diverse communities; possess an outgoing, engaging personality; have exceptional organizational, planning, verbal, and written communication skills; and have a passion for nature, culture and history.

The position reports to the Executive Director and liaises and collaborates with a cross section of the organization’s community partners and supporters.

Job Description

• Manage the implementation of current programming, including the Hidden Treasures Festival of Nature, Culture & History; Partnership Grant Program; Legacy Grant Program; Pathways Internship Program; partner gatherings; and other organizational programs.
• Work with the Executive Director, Board, and Consultants to develop, refine, and formulate programming for both partners and the public with the goal of increasing community engagement and participation. This may include new programs and initiatives, such as workshops and conferences, community gatherings, technical/educational training and webinars, etc.
• Work with the Executive Director and consultants to use creative social media campaigns, local publicity, and other traditional and digital outreach vehicles to promote use of the website and accompanying app.
• Work with partners to find, curate, and collect content and collateral to populate the website to keep it relevant and increase its efficacy and use as a resource for tourists and community members.
• Identify, initiate, and deepen relationships with community stakeholders.
• Help plan and implement meetings, surveys, and other ways for communicating with, and receiving feedback from, the community about Freedom’s Way and its initiatives; create mechanisms for internal and external evaluation of engagement initiatives.

Qualifications

• 5 or more years of progressively responsible experience in public programming, visitor engagement, and/or museum/public education.
• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field (Public History, History, Art History, Museum Studies, Landscape History, Natural Resources). Master’s Degree preferred.
• Proven experience in program development and execution; experience planning, facilitating, and executing events, including managing partner relationships and volunteer support.
• Successful track record engaging community organizations and developing partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage multiple deadlines and deliver high-quality projects, programs, and/or events on time and within budget.
• Excellent communication skills -- both written and verbal -- including comfort level speaking in front of groups and delivering presentations.
• Proven experience using social media and digital platforms to drive interest, participation, and event attendance.
• High regard for teamwork, collegiality, and visitor experience
• Experience with donor management platforms, such as Little Green Light, and Adobe In-Design preferred.

Working Environment

Indoor office (offices in Devens and Concord, MA). Possibility for 1-2 days-per-week remote work with approval. Travel to partner organizations in the Heritage Area, as needed, throughout the year (mileage will be reimbursed). Occasional evening and weekend events, as needed.

Compensation

This is a full-time, year-round salaried position of 40 hours per week. Compensation ranges from $52,500-$62,500 per year, depending on experience. Sick, Vacation, Personal time, and holidays as outlined in the Employee Handbook. Health and dental insurance offered through the Mass Health Connector.

About Freedom’s Way

Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area is managed by Freedom’s Way Heritage Association, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works in partnership with the National Park Service to protect and promote the regional identity of 45 communities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Learn more at www.freedomsway.org.