Business & Community Engagement Manager

Purpose of the position

Reporting to the VP of Development, the Business & Community Engagement Manager serves as the primary liaison between EO and the businesses and volunteers within Career Commons. This role leads storefront partner relationships, revenue tracking, sponsorship development, and volunteer engagement to ensure Career Commons delivers an exceptional experience for students, schools, businesses, and community partners.

This position plays a critical role in sustaining strong partnerships, driving earned and contributed revenue, and cultivating a high-quality, mission-aligned volunteer experience.

Essential functions

Business Partnerships & Revenue Management

• Lead and manage all Career Commons storefront business relationships, including lease agreements, renewals, vacancy management, and onboarding of new partners.


• Oversee revenue tracking for Career Commons, including leases, sponsorships, field trip fees, and all tuition for all camps and sponsorships.


• Drive sponsorship development for Career Commons learning camps and special initiatives.


• Serve as the primary point of contact for business partners, addressing needs and resolving concerns in a timely and professional manner.


• Lead coordination with business partners and Operations to ensure successful storefront build-out, space readiness, and ongoing functionality.


• Collaborate with EO program staff and business partners to support development of learning lab curriculum and programming alignment.


• Lead tours of Career Commons for prospective partners, donors, and stakeholders.


• Partner with Marketing to prepare and distribute impact reports, updates, and success stories to business partners.


• Coordinate and capture content highlighting Career Commons partners for promotional and social media use.


• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of Career Commons programming, participating schools, workforce focus areas, and business partnerships to effectively represent and support the initiative.


• Collaborate with the Development team to support grant proposal development and reporting related to Career Commons.

Volunteer Engagement & Experience

• Lead recruitment, coordination, and communication for Career Commons volunteers.


• Oversee volunteer onboarding, orientation, and training processes.


• Maintain accurate volunteer records and track service hours to support reporting and recognition.


• Develop and lead volunteer appreciation and recognition efforts to ensure a positive, mission-aligned experience.


• Build strong relationships with volunteers to foster long-term engagement and advocacy.

Competencies

• Passion for workforce development and expanding opportunity for youth.


• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to engage business leaders, educators, volunteers, and community partners.


• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while meeting deadlines.


• Experience with revenue tracking, sponsorship development, or business relationship management.


• Strategic thinker who can balance long-term partnership development with hands-on execution.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.


• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.


• Sound judgment, professionalism, integrity, and accountability.


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with CRM, fundraising, or project management systems.

Work environment
This position is based in the Abingdon, Virginia office.

Physical demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Position type and expected hours of work

Employee should be able to work core hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with occasional meetings, events, and possible emergencies outside of core hours.

Travel required

The ideal candidate will be available to attend early morning, evening, and/or weekend meetings in person and should be able to travel independently where needed.

Certificates, licenses, registrations required

• Valid driver's license and automobile insurance


• Reliable high-speed home internet

Required education and experience

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university


• Three to five years’ experience in business development, community engagement, nonprofit management, workforce development, or related field
  
  

Affirmative Action/EEO statement

EO is an equal employment opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered for vacancies without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, age, or status as a veteran or other category protected under applicable state or municipal law. EO will reasonably accommodate the disabilities of qualified applicants to permit them to perform the essential functions of the subject position.

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.