Engagement Manager

Position Title: Engagement Manager

Accountability: Engagement Manager reports to the Executive Director

Job Classification: Full-time, salaried, exempt – benefits eligible.

Compensation: $50,000-$55,000 annually

About: Catawba Riverkeeper is an environmental conservation non-profit with the mission to preserve, protect, and restore the waters of the Catawba-Wateree River Basin for all through education, advocacy, and engagement. Our 5,600 square mile river basin includes over 8,900 miles of waterways across 26 counties in North and South Carolina. We provide accurate, science-based information about our region’s water source and the issues affecting it. 

Position Summary: The Engagement Manager is responsible for advancing Riverkeeper’s mission by facilitating a variety of community engagement activities across the 26-county basin in North and South Carolina. The Manager directly coordinates programs for the Central Basin Floating Classroom and Conservation Field Days while supporting the coordination of basin-wide education, recreation, and volunteer programs in partnership with that program’s employee lead. The Manager will step in as needed to host or help host various engagement programs. This role ensures regional programs are well-resourced, well-managed, and aligned with organizational strategy. This position will have a high-level understanding of all engagement activities across our region and among departments to enhance operational efficiencies and financial resilience. An ideal candidate will be proactive, highly organized, experienced in non-profit community engagement through experiential activities, specifically environmental education.

Responsibilities:

Program Leadership & Strategy 

• Implements the Engagement Department strategic plan and annual work plans aligned with organizational priorities. 
• Translates strategic goals into measurable public engagement initiatives. 
• Supports development of annual goals, budgets, work plans, and performance metrics. 
• Ensures programs use experiential learning, community science, stewardship, and clear calls to action. 
• Integrates equity, accessibility, inclusion, and environmental justice into all engagement efforts. 

Floating Classroom Program Management 

• Leads the overall management of the Floating Classroom program. 
• Supervises educators, captains, seasonal staff, and volunteers. 
• Hosts programs on the Floating Classroom as needed. 
• Oversees scheduling, curriculum delivery, logistics, safety coordination, and program quality. 
• Helps to expand partnerships with schools, community organizations, and public audiences. 
• Evaluates program outcomes and identify opportunities for growth and improvement. 
• Supports vessel operation and maintenance with Boat Captains.

Conservation Field Day Leadership 

• Leads planning and implementation of multiple regional Conservation Field Day events annually. 
• Coordinates environmental partners, agencies, schools, universities, and volunteers. 
• Oversees event logistics, staffing, budgets, and program evaluation. 
• Strengthens partnerships that expand educational impact and student participation. 

Staff Leadership 

• Supervises Engagement Department staff and seasonal employees. 
• Recruits, trains, mentors, and evaluate team members. 
• Assesses staffing needs and recommends improvements. 

Budget & Operations 

• Monitors department budget and annual operating plans. 
• Monitors expenditures and ensures responsible use of resources. 
• Manages staffing plans and supports efficient program operations. 
• Helps develop sustainable funding opportunities for engagement initiatives. 
• Collaborates with Development on grant proposals, reports, sponsorships, and donor stewardship. 
• Participates in donor meetings, tours, and presentations. 

Partnerships & Collaboration 

• Builds and maintains strategic partnerships with schools, nonprofits, agencies, universities, and corporate partners. 
• Negotiates and manages partnership agreements, contracts, and MOUs. 
• Facilitates collaborative projects that advance watershed education and stewardship. 
• Represents the organization at meetings, conferences, and community events. 

Equity & Environmental Justice 

• Ensures engagement programs intentionally serve historically underserved communities. 
• Develops partnerships that reduce barriers to participation. 
• Incorporates environmental justice principles into program design and evaluation. 
• Tracks equity outcomes and recommends improvements. 

Evaluation & Reporting 

• Establishes measurable program outcomes and collects participation and impact data. 
• Prepares reports for leadership, funders, and the Board. 
• Uses evaluation results to improve program effectiveness and demonstrate impact. 
• Organizational Leadership 
• Serves as a member of the leadership team. 
• Collaborates across departments to align engagement, development, communications, and conservation goals. 
• Supports organizational fundraising, public events, and strategic initiatives. 

• Exhibits a passion for the mission of Catawba Riverkeeper
• Successfully pass a standard criminal background review
• Always maintains a valid driver’s license
• Must be willing to work some nights and weekends 
• Must be able to assist with moving kayaks and other recreation equipment

Education & Experience: 

• Demonstrated passion for clean water, environmental justice and healthy communities in the Catawba-Wateree River Basin region
• Bachelor’s degree in related field to job requirements
• Minimum of 5 years of experience working in non-profit
• Extensive experience with educational program development
• Experience with staff development and management
• Competency with managing budgets
• Comfortable with Microsoft Office and Google suite of products, project management tools, and ticketing and payment systems preferred

Location: The Engagement Manager will be based at Catawba Riverkeeper’s main office at Confluence in Cramerton, NC with remote work as appropriate. Travel throughout the Catawba-Wateree 26-county region in North and South Carolina for program coordination and execution may also be necessary.