Outreach and Engagement Coordinator, Veterans Upward Bound (VUB)

The Outreach and Engagement Coordinator for the Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program at Suffolk University is responsible for developing and implementing outreach, recruitment, marketing, and community engagement initiatives that increase awareness of the program and connect eligible military veterans with educational services. A federally funded TRIO program, VUB assists qualified veterans in developing the academic skills and preparation necessary to pursue postsecondary education. The Coordinator serves as a primary community-facing representative of the program, cultivating relationships with veterans' organizations, government agencies, community partners, and other organizations serving military veterans throughout the approved service area. The position leads program marketing and communications initiatives, coordinates participation in community events and recruitment activities, and supports prospective participants through initial inquiries and program intake. The Coordinator also maintains ongoing engagement with participants and assists with program activities, communications, and documentation. Working closely with the VUB Program Director and Academic Advisor, the Coordinator contributes to the recruitment and continued engagement of the program's required participant population. This position reports to the VUB Program Director. This position is grant funded through August 31, 2028. Employment beyond the cycle of the grant is contingent upon a successful grant funding. Primary Responsibilities: Community Outreach, Partnerships, and Constituent Engagement: Develop and maintain relationships with veterans' organizations, municipal veterans' service officers, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans Services, community-based organizations, educational institutions, and other agencies serving military veterans. Identify opportunities for collaboration, referrals, and community-based program promotion throughout the approved service area. Serve as a primary point of contact for prospective participants and external constituents, respond to inquiries regarding VUB services, and connect veterans with appropriate program staff and available resources. Maintain regular communication with community partners to strengthen referral networks and program visibility. Marketing, Advertising, and Digital Communications: Develop and implement marketing and communications strategies to promote the Veterans Upward Bound program and its services. Coordinate the creation and distribution of promotional materials, digital advertising, newsletters, informational resources, and other recruitment communications. Manage and maintain program social media accounts and website content, ensuring consistent messaging, accurate information, and an accessible public presence. Assess the effectiveness of outreach and marketing activities and identify opportunities to expand awareness among eligible veterans. Recruitment Events, Community Representation, and Program Visibility: Represent VUB at veterans' resource fairs, community events, information sessions, tabling opportunities, and other outreach activities. Identify and coordinate opportunities for program staff to engage directly with prospective participants and community partners. Organize recruitment presentations and outreach visits, including scheduling, promotional materials, and event logistics. Collaborate with the Program Director to establish an ongoing calendar of outreach activities that supports recruitment objectives and increases the program's visibility throughout its service area. Participant Recruitment, Intake, and Ongoing Engagement: Coordinate initial inquiries, prospective participant communications, and application intake activities. Assist applicants in understanding program eligibility requirements, completing applications, and submitting required documentation for eligibility review and enrollment. Maintain communication with prospective and enrolled participants, promote program services and activities, and support efforts to sustain participant engagement. Coordinate with the Academic Advisor to connect enrolled veterans with appropriate educational services and resources. Recruitment Records, Data Tracking, and Reporting Support: Maintain accurate records of outreach activities, recruitment contacts, community partnerships, participant inquiries, and intake documentation. Assist with tracking recruitment and engagement measures and provide relevant information to the Program Director for program evaluation, institutional reporting, and the federal Annual Performance Report (APR). Support the organization and maintenance of program documentation consistent with institutional and federal requirements. Other Duties: Support other university-related initiatives and perform additional duties, as assigned, that advance the mission and objectives of the Veterans Upward Bound program and the Center for First-Generation and Educational Equity. Requirements/Qualifications Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, human services, or an appropriate related field and one (1) year of administrative, outreach, marketing, or appropriate program experience OR any combination of five (5) years of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities have been achieved to perform the duties of this role. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain relationships with community organizations, external partners, and constituent populations. Must have demonstrated capability of being creative, proactive, and a team player, and possess strong organizational, interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills. Possess strong computer and design skills, with knowledge of social media management, digital marketing, advertising, and promotional communications. Experience coordinating community outreach activities, recruitment initiatives, public presentations, or events. Ability to represent the program professionally and effectively communicate its services to prospective participants, community partners, and the public. Ability to meet deadlines and work on multiple projects simultaneously. Ability to maintain confidentiality of participant records and information. Flexibility to attend veterans-related events, participate in community outreach activities, accompany program participants on college visits, or attend professional development conferences and trainings during occasional evenings or weekends. Preferred Qualifications Military experience or experience working in veterans' services, constituent services, or with adult learners and/or veterans from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Familiarity with veterans' service organizations, municipal veterans' service officers, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans Services, or similar community-based service networks. Experience developing marketing campaigns, managing organizational social media platforms, or coordinating outreach and recruitment initiatives. Knowledge of financial aid, college admissions, and postsecondary educational opportunities, especially as they relate to adult learners. Previous experience working with or participating in TRIO or similar programs. Familiarity with grant-funded programs and ability to work within federal and state guidelines. Review of applications will begin immediately. Applications without cover letters will NOT be reviewed. The salary range for this role is 45,750 - 61,000. Salary Transparency Suffolk University provides salary ranges as a good faith estimate of what it reasonably expects to pay for a role at the time the position is posted. The actual salary offered to the selected candidate will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to, the position’s scope and responsibilities, the candidate’s experience, education, training, and applicable legal requirements. The listed pay range reflects base salary only and does not include additional benefits or compensation. Equal Opportunity Statement Suffolk University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We welcome applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. The University strives to recruit, develop and retain faculty and staff committed to educational excellence, the robust exchange of ideas, and engage in membership in a diverse and inclusive community. Suffolk University is a private, urban university located in the heart of downtown Boston. Our college green is the Boston Common and we are steps from dozens of historic sites including the Old State House, Faneuil Hall, City Hall and the Massachusetts State House. We have no real boundaries to our campus—Boston and Suffolk blend together. Suffolk has been committed to creating an exceptional learning experience since 1906. Our vision is to be recognized as a dynamic institution that fosters engaged learning, rigorous scholarship, innovative thinking, and community collaboration across disciplines. We will ensure that Suffolk graduates are versatile and prepared for modern society and the new world market. We will provide rich curricula, experiential learning opportunities and professional mentoring through increased collaboration with alumni and community partners. We will recruit, mentor, and support a diverse faculty of teacher-scholars who are passionately committed to preparing our students to be leaders in the global community. We will inspire investment in a Suffolk community that is built on ethical, forward-thinking leadership, teamwork, and cooperation. Here is a message from Suffolk University's President, Marisa Kelly.