The Purpose Center at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for an Outreach and Programming Manager.

About the Opportunity

The Purpose Center Outreach and Programming Manager will be responsible for the integration and program development of CliftonStrengths across campus. This role will develop partnerships with the Alumni Association, Talent & Culture, Career Services and college/school career services professionals to develop, lead and implement strategic programming that will assist students, faculty, and staff with career development, mentorship and networking. The successful candidate also will develop and implement Strengths curriculum and mentorship strategies. These responsibilities may include some evening and weekend responsibilities.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year
• 18 sick days per year, and the flexibility to use that time to care for immediate family members
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

Outreach:

• Develop and implement Strengths programming and workshops at the Purpose Center.
• Develop partnerships to implement Strengths programming in units across campus.
• Collaborate with Gallup representatives regularly to continually develop and implement new Strengths research, programming and training with units across campus.
• Evaluate data to develop new, strategic Strengths curriculum and programming for the Purpose Center.
• Manage and lead Strengths Coaching Program at the Purpose Center.
• Provide Strengths Platform training through the Purpose Center.
• Provide One-on-One Strengths Coaching sessions for students, faculty, and staff.
• Provide Strengths training to Strengths ambassadors, advisors and mentors.
• Manage Strengths Group Registrations and Programming.
• Participate in the creation of Purpose Center campaigns and initiatives.
• Collaborate with and provide support to the Alumni Association, central Career Services and college Career Services professionals to identify existing programs and develop new programming to meet additional needs.
• Research and identify target populations for career, mentorship and Strengths outreach. Develop and lead plans to engage those groups with the Purpose Center.
• Partner with the Alumni Association, Career Services and other units across campus to develop and implement a mentorship structure that includes traditional mentorship models as well as new models that would provide benefits to both students and alumni.
• Meet with prospective students and their families on an individual basis (for both on-campus and off-campus events) to answer questions and discuss opportunities provided through the Purpose Center, including the Gallup Strengths assessment. Connect students with appropriate resources on campus.
• Plan, organize and lead on-campus mentorship programs in conjunction with the Alumni Association and Career Services. Responsibilities include setting the agenda, obtaining speakers, conducting workshops and coordinating logistics and measurement of outcomes.
• In conjunction with the Purpose Center administration, develop and implement a long-range (5-year) mentorship plan that elevates WVU’s recruitment and retention objectives and goals.
• Develop an assessment tool to evaluate the progress of the mentorship and outreach plan; assessment data with the Alumni Association, Career Services and the Purpose Center administration to review effectiveness of strategies and implement necessary changes.
• Conduct ongoing qualitative and quantitative research, both primary and secondary as needed, on mentorship and career trends and patterns; assess research and implement strategies to ensure the Purpose Center is providing the most relevant programming.
• Work closely with campus units to obtain alumni, careers, and mentorship data. Analyze and disseminate that data to administrators, faculty and staff.
• Work with Extension and community partners to provide mentorship opportunities, strengths training, and coaching as needed.

Communication:

• Assist with development and implementation of the Strengths Marketing and Communication Plan.
• Participate in University-sponsored alumni, communication, and recruitment committee meetings.
• Effectively correspond with all inquiring, admitted, and deposited students, as well as current students and alumni as part of a targeted communications strategy.
• Work with the UREM multimedia team to capture video and photo as needed; collaborate with videographers, designers, and photographers to develop high-quality visual content for the website and Purpose Center space.
• Communicate with the Alumni Association, Career Services, and other career professionals across campus to promote events.
• Connect students, faculty, staff and alumni that visit the Purpose Center with necessary resources.
• Communicate with Alumni Association to secure speakers, panelists, and mentors for programming. Conduct surveys to gain quantitative and qualitative data on program experiences. Analyze data to create ongoing improvement.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining continued engagement with students, faculty, staff, and alumni that visit the Purpose Center.

Other:

• Oversee Strengths Ambassadors on Campus.
• Serve on Strengths-Related Work Groups.
• Serve in other capacities regarding outreach events or issues as directed by the Purpose Center administration.

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Strategic communications (Advertising or PR) or another applied communications discipline or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master’s preferred.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in career or mentorship counseling and/or working with alumni or donors.
• Experience in sales and/or customer service.
• Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency in professional social media communications
• Strong organizational skills and a proven ability to work as a team member to accomplish unit goals.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, problem-solve, collaborate, and work independently.
• Excellent computer skills (writing and data bases)
• Prior experience working with alumni or career services related outreach activities
• The successful candidate must:
  • Be self-motivated and dedicated to fulfilling their responsibilities.
  • Be "student-centered, people-oriented" and enjoy working with diverse populations.
  • Be results-oriented with strong time management skills.
  • Be dedicated to customer service.
  • Take responsibility for his/her job requirements.
  • Successfully fulfill the role with minimum supervision/oversight.
  • Be an effective oral and verbal communicator and dynamic presenter.
  • Be able to manage multiple priorities with a high level of detail.

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At West Virginia University, we leverage our talents and resources to create a better future for our state and the world. As West Virginia's land-grant university, WVU has three campuses that touch each corner of the state. The WVU System includes 518 buildings on 15,880 acres, Extension Service offices in all 55 counties, ten experimental farms and four forests.

From the groundbreaking R1 research of our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs of WVU Potomac State in Keyser to the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley — the contributions of WVU employees directly impact the 1.8 million people of West Virginia every day, no matter their role or position.

Service, curiosity, respect, accountability, and appreciation are the core values that unite Mountaineers, inspiring one another to work tirelessly and support others as they seek to reach new heights. After all, when you're a Mountaineer, impossible is just another mountain to climb.

To learn more about West Virginia University, visit go.wvu.edu. View current career opportunities at careers.wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer and is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. The University values diversity among its faculty, staff, and students, and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.