Job Description

The Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIDB) is seeking a Community Relations/Outreach Specialist 1 who will be responsible for managing and enhancing MIDB WIDE organizational initiatives along with strategic communications and relationship management. This includes developing effective pedagogical strategies to achieve program goals, involving stakeholders from schools, families, and community organizations, and fostering connections between program participants and the brain research community at the University of Minnesota. In addition to overseeing project deliverables, this role involves managing project reporting to both internal stakeholders and external funders, as well as liaising with community organizations and other stakeholders. The position requires managing multiple ongoing project deliverables including strategic communications and scenario planning and futuring (strategic planning) in support of operating collaboratoriums including Legacy, Momentum and Foresight + Futures, which will evolve over time.

This is a part-time .75 FTE benefits-eligible positions.

• Manage the overall oversight of milestone completion and day-to-day activities. 
• Modify practices and procedures to improve efficiency and quality. 
• Support the Primary Investigator, Chief of Staff, and or co-Directors in the oversight of completion of project deliverables, including regularly reporting out on project timelines, status, challenges, and proposed solutions.
• Serve as liaison and support engagement at external stakeholder meetings, and between project PI(s) and the internal/external stakeholders.
• Develop and implement comprehensive timelines, project plans, and identify resources to manage and meet deadlines.
• Summarize and identify action steps/to do items for each meeting along with necessary timelines.
• Manage the reporting process to effectively deliver, track, and manage all project-related data for quarterly, annual, and ad hoc reporting.

Communications and Vendor Management (20%)

• Manage the strategic communication plan for assigned projects, including collaborating on the development and tailoring of communication for a variety of stakeholders (internal, external organizations, and site partners) and working closely with the communication team on this and related projects to ensure a robust dissemination effort.
• Ensure streamlined and coordinated communication, delegation to internal teams, and on-track milestone completion.

Scenario Planning & Futuring (i.e. Strategic Planning) (15%)

• Strategize, implement, and maintain program initiatives that adhere to organizational objectives.
• Develop program assessment protocols for evaluation and improvement.
• Collaborate to identify the long and short-term goals and develop strategies to accomplish these goals.
• Collaborate with team members to define objectives and impact intentions.
• Conduct market research, perform analysis of competitors, and identify opportunities.

Administrative (5%)

• Schedule and note-taking in technical/project meetings.
• Send reminder emails to key stakeholders in projects to ensure deliverables are clear and will be completed by the agreed deadlines.
• Initiative and Project budget development and proposal.
• Other duties as assigned.

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS with at least 6 years of experience or advanced degree with 6 years of relevant project management, communication and scenario planning & futuring (strategic planning) experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant experience in education as an educator, administrator and thought leader along with significant community-based leadership. 
• Significant experience as a member of a startup team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, both in-person and online.
• Advanced editing and proofreading, analytical and data management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask in order to coordinate and problem solve across multiple projects; excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to manage work amidst changing priorities and ambiguity.
• Ability to work independently, high level of self-motivation.
• Strong general troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Friendly, confident presence and helpful attitude; excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work well with others at all levels of the U of M and external stakeholders (e.g., community provider organizations, the sponsor and related military-connected organizations).
• Ability to identify opportunities for improvement and to engage in problem solving to proactively address challenges.
• Proficient with various technology applications including MS Office (Word, Excel & PowerPoint), project management software (Basecamp), file sharing software (BOX), Internet applications, data entry, email, calendaring, database software.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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