Community Manager

The Roanoke-Blacksburg innovation ecosystem builds on a strong foundation and faces exciting growth opportunities, and this key role is responsible for telling our story and stewarding our brand to help us continue to position our region as a premier destination for innovation.

As RBTC’s Community Manager, you will be the day-to-day steward of RBTC’s membership community. You will build relationships with members, ensure they are actively engaged and receiving value, and grow the community through programming that serves the community — using events, programming series, and direct engagement to deepen connections and deliver value. You will lead the planning and execution of RBTC’s events and programming series, collaborating with the team and consultants to deliver high-quality experiences. You will receive strategic programming guidance from RBTC’s programming leadership, partner with communications and marketing team members on event experience and promotion, and coordinate with development and partnerships team members on sponsorships and growth.

This role is focused on RBTC’s membership and event programming, including joint programming with RBIA. Events are primarily in-person with some virtual programming, and some events extend into or occur during evenings. It offers meaningful growth opportunities for someone passionate about community building, relationship management, and mission-driven work. The role requires regular travel throughout Southwest Virginia and occasional out-of-region travel for conferences and events.

What You'll Do:

Membership Engagement and Retention

• Serve as the primary point of contact for member needs, maintaining active relationships and ensuring members understand and utilize available benefits
• Manage membership operations using RBTC’s membership platform, including tracking engagement, supporting renewals, and coordinating onboarding for new members
• Ensure new members are connected quickly and meaningfully — to their first event, first introduction, and relevant resources
• Facilitate introductions between members, founders, investors, and regional stakeholders to strengthen the density and value of the RBTC network
• Collect member feedback and track engagement, participation, and retention trends, providing recommendations to leadership on improving member value and experience

Programming and Events

RBTC grows its community through programming that serves its members. This role leads the planning and execution of that programming.

• Lead planning and execution of RBTC’s signature events and conferences (e.g., TechNite, Emerging Technology Conference, and Tech The Halls), collaborating with the team and event planning consultant on strategy, logistics, and delivery
• Lead planning and execution of member meetups, roundtables, and smaller gatherings
• Plan and run focused programming series (e.g., Beers & BioTech, AI Decoded, WoTech, ChangeMakers)
• Manage event logistics including scheduling, speaker coordination, venue arrangements, invitations, promotion, and post-event follow-up
• Recruit and manage volunteers to support event execution
• Track attendance patterns and repeat participation, using events as opportunities to facilitate meaningful connections between members
• Contribute ideas and strategic input on programming direction, helping shape event content and formats based on member needs and industry trends

Member Coordination and Outreach

• Collaborate with communications and marketing team members to ensure members receive timely, relevant information including announcements, updates, newsletters, and event promotion
• Develop content briefs and provide member-facing needs to support community updates and storytelling
• Maintain active member channels such as email lists, online platforms, and other touchpoints
• Surface member achievements and milestones for promotion through appropriate channels

What You Need:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in community management, event planning, or a related field
• 3–5 years of experience in membership management, community engagement, event planning, or a related role
• Strong relationship-building skills with comfort reaching out directly to members and speaking at events
• Event planning and execution experience with the ability to manage multiple events and initiatives simultaneously
• Experience with membership or CRM platforms and digital engagement tools
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent written and verbal skills

Nice-to-Haves:

• Experience with membership organizations, trade associations, or technology sector organizations
• Understanding of startup ecosystems or regional economic development
• Familiarity with professional development programming or experience developing events with a learning outcome focus
• Familiarity with Virginia’s technology landscape and economic development priorities

Location: Residing in or willing to relocate to the Roanoke-Blacksburg, VA region required

Compensation: Our target new hire base salary range for this role is $60,000 – $65,000 annually, commensurate with experience

Benefits: Our comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees includes

• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
• Retirement stipend
• Paid time off
• Flexible work arrangements
• Professional development opportunities

Statement of Non-Discrimination: RBTC is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.

Questions? Please email jobs@rbtc.tech