Director of Engagement

Job Title: Director of Engagement

Organization: Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR)

Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Eastern KY 

Reports To: Chief Operating Officer 

The Director of Engagement will lead SOAR’s regional engagement strategy by overseeing all organizational events while building and sustaining strategic partnerships across Eastern Kentucky. This role expands beyond event coordination to ensure that SOAR maintains consistent, year-round engagement with communities, educational institutions, workforce partners, and regional development organizations.

This individual will serve as the lead for SOAR’s signature event, the SOAR Summit, and will work closely with the Chief Operating Officer to execute and continuously strengthen its regional impact. In addition, the Director of Engagement will integrate SOAR’s programmatic initiatives, particularly the EKY Talent Network and Innovation programming, into high schools, Area Technology Centers, colleges, universities, and key regional institutions.

The Director of Engagement plays a central role in positioning SOAR as a regional convener, connector, and catalyst for workforce and economic development.

This is an in-office position reporting to one of SOAR's main or satellite offices within the region. Significant travel throughout Eastern Kentucky is required. 

Responsibilities: 

Strategic Event Leadership:

• Lead planning, coordination, and execution of all SOAR-hosted events, including the annual SOAR Summit, in collaboration with the Chief Operating Officer


• Ensure events align with SOAR’s strategic priorities and advance measurable workforce and innovation outcomes


• Integrate EKY Talent Network and Innovation programming into event design and follow-up strategy


• Develop post-event engagement pathways that convert participants into active program participants


• Oversee event logistics, including venue selection, vendor management, sponsorship coordination, production, and on-site execution


• Manage event budgets and provide regular financial reporting and performance analysis

Regional Educational Engagement:

• Build and maintain active relationships with:
  
  
  
  • High Schools 
    
  
  
  • Area Technology Centers
  
  
  • Community and Technical Colleges
  
  
  • Colleges and Universities 
  
  
  
  


• Identify and develop opportunities to integrate SOAR programming into educational pipelines


• Coordinate student engagement opportunities connected to workforce and innovation initiatives


• Support alignment between educational partners and regional workforce needs

Cross-Program Integration:

• Work across SOAR programmatic units to ensure coordinated outreach, messaging, and community presence
  


• Identify opportunities to deepen engagement between workforce, innovation, and regional development efforts


• Support internal collaboration to prevent silos and strengthen program alignment


• Ensure community engagement efforts contribute to measurable program growth and impact
  

Regional Educational Engagement:

• Maintain consistent engagement with: 
  
  
  
  • Area Development Districts
  
  
  • Chambers of Commerce
  
  
  • Local and regional economic development organizations 
  
  
  • Community partners and civic organizations
  
  
  
  


• Represent SOAR at regional meetings, convenings, and partner events
  


• Strengthen SOAR’s role as a regional connector and trusted partner

Vendor + Operational Management:

• Establish and manage relationships with vendors, sponsors, exhibitors, and partners
  


• Negotiate contracts and ensure vendor alignment with organizational expectations


• Oversee day-of-event operations and troubleshoot issues in real time


• Collect and analyze post-event feedback to inform continuous improvement

Requirements + Expectations: 

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience 


• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in event leadership, partnership development, community engagement, or related roles 


• Demonstrated ability to manage large-scale events and complex projects 


• Strong relationship building and stakeholder engagement skills 


• Experience working with educational institutions, workforce development initiatives, or economic development organizations preferred 


• Excellent communication, organizational and leadership skills 


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; CRM experience preferred 


• Demonstrate measurable growth in year-round regional engagement


• Successfully execute the SOAR Summit and other major events within budget and strategic goals


• Maintain strong internal collaboration across program units
  


• Improve integration between events and ongoing program participation


• Strengthen institutional partnerships across education and economic development sectors
  


• Regular and reliable attendance required 


• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment 


• Must be able to handle prolonged periods of sitting at a desk or standing at an event


• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at a time when necessary 

Culture and Core Values:

SOAR’s mission is simple: empower every Eastern Kentuckian to economic self-sufficiency through meaningful employment.

Our team culture is anchored by putting the interest of Eastern Kentucky first in all that we do. We believe treating others the way we want to be treated is always within our control. Our core values include faith, grit, selflessness, integrity, and empathy. We do our best to exemplify these daily in our interactions with others and with external partners. 

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SOAR is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.