Public Engagement Manager, VOIS Institute

To Apply: Submit a resume and a cover letter explaining your interest and how your experience aligns with the role. Email materials to apply@circlesnwa.org. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Early applications are encouraged.

The Public Engagement Manager supports the VOIS Institute’s outward facing presence by maintaining and expanding strategic partnerships and guiding the Institute’s growing public convening work. This role advances the Institute’s mission by cultivating community relationships, organizing public events and convenings, expanding advocacy platforms, and facilitating learning and dialogue spaces that center the voices of people with lived experience of poverty. The position participates in local, regional, and national coalitions focused on issues such as benefit cliffs, housing, and broader community advocacy, helping ensure the Institute remains connected to key policy conversations and collaborative efforts.

This role also strengthens the public voice and leadership of VOIS Fellows by cultivating relationships with community organizations, civic leaders, and institutions that expand opportunities for Fellows to speak, contribute, and influence public dialogue.

More information on the VOIS Institute can be found here: voisinstitute.org

This job requires availability to work Wednesday evenings in Fayetteville for Circles NWA and VOIS Fellows programming.

Key Responsibilities

1. Public Engagement & Community Partnerships

• Maintain and steward relationships with community and systems leaders, public officials, nonprofit agencies, faith communities, and other partners.
• Identify and cultivate opportunities for VOIS Fellows to lead, speak, and influence in public and civic settings.
• Represent Innovative Poverty Solutions and the VOIS Institute in public forums such as city council meetings, nonprofit collaborations, earned media opportunities, and select local, regional, and national coalitions.
• Increase entry points for community members and volunteers to engage with the VOIS Institute’s work and programming.

2. Public Events and Convenings

• Plan and execute the Institute’s public facing events and convenings, including Becoming Visible events, Co-Create workshops, Poverty Learning Labs, and additional formats as developed.
• Conduct background research on convening topics such as benefit cliffs, housing, and Medicaid, and collaborate with the Executive Director and Sr. Director of Initiatives to ensure event content effectively reshapes narratives of poverty.
• Expand public facing events to Rogers/Bentonville, other communities beyond Fayetteville, and additional settings such as corporate, nonprofit, and faith-based spaces.
• Manage event logistics including venue coordination, scheduling, vendors, materials, run of show planning, timelines, communication, and follow up.
• Coordinate with and prepare speakers, panelists, trainers, and facilitators for convenings.
• Partner with the Communications Manager on marketing, promotion, and event recruitment.
• Manage data collection and evaluation related to event effectiveness, narrative impact, and community feedback. 

3. Facilitation & Training

• Facilitate community dialogue at public facing events including Becoming Visible events, Co-Create workshops, Poverty Learning Labs, Circles Big View gatherings, and other discussion based formats.
• Create inclusive and structured environments where participants across income lines can engage honestly and constructively.
• Guide dialogue toward shared understanding, reflection, and action.
• Cultivate and coordinate a volunteer community of facilitators trained through the VOIS Facilitators Training who can support future community dialogue events.

4. Support for VOIS Fellows Program

• Attend the weekly VOIS Fellows Program on Wednesdays to support the VOIS Program Manager and remain connected to Fellows’ learning and leadership development.
• Build relationships with VOIS Fellows to understand their areas of lived experience and identify opportunities to connect their insights to public speaking, advocacy, and convening opportunities.
• Collaborate with the VOIS Program Manager on curriculum development, public speaking coaching for Fellows, and program implementation as needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in community engagement, program management, public policy, advocacy, facilitation, nonprofit leadership, or related fields.
• Strong public speaking skills, relationship building skills and the ability to work effectively with community leaders, public officials, nonprofit partners, and cross sector collaborators.
• Experience planning and executing events, convenings, workshops, or community dialogues.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, including logistics, coordination, and follow up.
• Interest in issues related to poverty, economic justice, housing, or community advocacy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and educational backgrounds.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience facilitating community dialogue, workshops, or trainings.
• Experience participating in coalitions, advocacy efforts, or community organizing.
• Familiarity with issues related to ALICE households, benefit cliffs, or poverty related policy.
• Experience working with volunteers, community leaders, or lived experience leadership models.
• Experience supporting narrative change, storytelling, or public engagement efforts.
• 
  
• Familiarity with Northwest Arkansas community networks and institutions.