Community Relations Manager

Date Posted: 11/20/2025

The Community Relations Manager develops and manages strategic partnerships between the university and external community while coordinating marketing support for campus events that enhance community engagement. This role reports to the Associate Director of Community Relations and leads the university’s external relationship-building efforts while facilitating cross-campus coordination to optimize community outreach and event promotion.

Candidates should demonstrate responsiveness toward and understanding of diverse student backgrounds. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to the university’s mission to develop global citizens. Having the ability and willingness to work collegially is essential, as is an understanding of an interdisciplinary liberal arts curriculum.

Responsibilities include but not limited to:

Community Relations and Partnership Development (60%)

• Develop and manage strategic partnerships with local businesses, civic organizations, and community leaders that advance university visibility and student opportunities
• Lead external representation at key community events, chamber functions, and civic meetings
• Coordinate community outreach initiatives including campus tours, volunteer partnerships, and service learning connections
• Manage relationships with municipal leaders and assess community engagement opportunities
• Recommend strategic priorities for community investment and partnership development to Associate Director

Events Marketing and Logistics (40%)

• Coordinate marketing support for campus events that engage external audiences, providing early-stage consultation to improve promotional effectiveness
• Collaborate with campus areas including facilities management, athletics, student affairs, and academic departments to facilitate event marketing coordination
• Monitor campus-wide scheduling patterns, providing early consultation to help departments identify and prevent potential conflicts when events compete for community attention
• Directly manage Summer at Soka events and other Community Relations focused events from concept through execution
• Coordinate daily operations and scheduling for the Founders Gallery, including logistical support for exhibitions, opening receptions, liaison work with the curator, and space planning to accommodate both ongoing art displays and university events.
• Maintain institutional calendar awareness to identify promotional opportunities and potential scheduling conflicts, providing early consultation to prevent issues and flagging emerging conflicts to Associate Director for resolution
• Develop standardized event marketing resources, vendor relationships, and promotional toolkits available to campus departments
• Lead promotional planning for community-facing initiatives

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience

Work Experience:

• 3-5 years event management experience with demonstrated success in multi-stakeholder environments
• Experience managing public-facing events where quality and community perception matter
• Experience in higher-education development and/or events, a plus

Skills:

• Proven ability to influence without direct authority and build consensus across departments
• Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives
• Exceptional interpersonal communication skills with cultural sensitivity for diverse community engagement
• Diplomatic approach to elevating standards while building collaborative relationships in a decentralized environment
• Entrepreneurial mindset and comfort working with limited resources to achieve ambitious goals
• Demonstrated responsiveness toward and understanding of diverse student backgrounds
• Commitment to the university’s mission to develop global citizens and interdisciplinary liberal arts education
• Ability to work flexible schedules during peak event seasons
• Knowledge of higher education environment and community engagement practices preferred

The anticipated salary for this position is $65,000 - $72,000 and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Employment is contingent upon the completion of a successful background check.

New employees must provide documents, on their first day, verifying identity and legal authorization to work in the United States. The list of acceptable documents can be found at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents.

Application Requirements:

Must submit the following to be considered:

• letter of interest for this position
• resume
• list of three professional contacts

Apply for the Community Relations Manager position

For inquiries, e-mail: jobs@soka.edu

Soka University of America is an equal opportunity employer.