NRRI Strategic Engagement Manager

The Strategic Engagement Manager serves as an operational leader within NRRI's Office of Strategic Partnerships & External Affairs, helping translate institutional priorities into coordinated engagement strategies, relationships, and action. Reporting to the Director of Strategic Partnerships & External Affairs, this role serves as a force multiplier across NRRI's growing portfolio of externally facing initiatives by stewarding relationships, coordinating strategic platforms, and maintaining continuity across complex multi-partner efforts. The ideal candidate is highly organized, relationship-oriented, politically and publicly aware, and comfortable operating in fast-moving environments that span industry, Tribal Nations, government, philanthropy, academia, and communities.

Job Duties:

1. Strategic Platforms, Convenings & Institutional Coordination (40%)

• Coordinate and help operationalize major institutional initiatives, including the Midwest Industrial Transformation Initiative (MITI) and other strategic platforms that advance NRRI priorities.
• Lead planning and execution for advisory panel meetings, forums, workshops, stakeholder working groups, and major external convenings.
• Maintain continuity across initiatives by tracking priorities, timelines, decisions, action items, and follow-up responsibilities.
• Translate complex discussions into concise summaries, briefing materials, strategic memos, and decision-support documents.
• Identify coordination gaps, stakeholder needs, and emerging risks across initiatives and partnerships.
• Support executive-level relationship management working with NRRI Executive Director and ensure strong follow-through across external commitments.
• Coordinate and communicate across researchers, leadership, communications, and external partners to keep strategic initiatives moving forward.
  

2. Relationship Management & Stakeholder Engagement (30%)

• Serve as steward of NRRI's institutional CRM and maintain relationship intelligence across industry, Tribal, philanthropic, government, academic, and community partners.
• Develop engagement plans and track institutional touchpoints, relationship history, next steps, and opportunities.
• Prepare stakeholder profiles, briefing materials, presentations, and partner background documents.
• Lead logistics, follow-up, and relationship management activities tied to strategic partnerships.
• Support relationship development across partner organizations, collaborators, and institutional stakeholders.
• Operate thoughtfully within culturally, politically, and publicly sensitive engagement environments.
• Ensure alignment with University of Minnesota partners, government relations teams, and other institutional offices as appropriate.
  
  3. Communications Integration, Institutional Positioning & Intelligence (30%)
• Engage closely with communications staff to ensure alignment between engagement activities, partnerships, and institutional priorities.
• Support messaging development, presentations, and strategic communications tied to high-priority initiatives.
• Develop written content including briefing documents, outreach materials, talking points, and executive presentations.
• Contribute to horizon scanning for emerging opportunities, funding trends, policy developments, and strategic risks relevant to NRRI priorities.
• Help strengthen proactive planning and institutional positioning across major initiatives.
• Support development of partner communications and executive materials.
• Coordinate with University communications, foundation, and external partners as directed by Executive Director and Director of Strategic Partnerships and External Affairs.
• Identify opportunities to elevate NRRI's visibility and strengthen relationships through strategic communications.
• Lead planning and execution of signature events and institutional convenings.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree plus at least 4 years of relevant experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work in person from NRRI's offices in Duluth, Minnesota, with occasional travel to Twin Cities, Iron Range and other domestic travel as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in public affairs, stakeholder engagement, government relations, strategic communications, policy, or related fields
• Exceptional writing, synthesis, organizational, and project management and coordination skills
• Ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships and multiple concurrent projects
• Strong judgment, professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and shifting priorities within fast-moving environments
• Experience working across government, nonprofit, academic, Tribal, industry, philanthropic, or community contexts preferred
• Experience supporting executive-level leadership or complex multi-partner initiatives preferred
• Ability to operate collaboratively within politically and publicly sensitive environments and lead by influence

Physical/Environmental Demands:

• Office environment / no specific or unusual physical or environmental demands.

The Natural Resources Research Institute was established by the Minnesota legislature in 1983 as an applied science and engineering research organization to inform state citizens and decision-makers while leveraging the power of the University of Minnesota. NRRI is guided by the forward-looking charter provided by the Legislature to foster the economic development of Minnesota's natural resources in an environmentally sound manner to promote private sector employment.
NRRI's mission is to deliver integrated research solutions that value our resources, environment and economy for a sustainable and resilient future. We are a mission-driven, project-focused team working to create opportunities for natural resource stewardship.

Pay Range: $77,651 -$98,358; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

You are required to attach a cover letter and resume to be considered for this position.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD)

The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) consistently ranks among the top Midwestern, regional universities in U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges" issue.

Overlooking Lake Superior, UMD provides an alternative to both large research and small liberal arts environments and attracts students looking for a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus of a major university. A firm liberal arts foundation anchors a variety of traditional degree programs, as well as professional and graduate students that draw on UMD's many research institutes and labs.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.