Outreach & Engagement Specialist (remote; only candidates residing in CA)

IMPORTANT: Please email both your resume and a cover letter (or cover email) that describes how this position fits your interests, career goals, and work experiences to jhayashi@rpgroup.org.

We are a fully remote organization--all employees are required to reside in the state of California.

Overview

The RP Group’s Outreach & Engagement Specialist is a newly-created position focused on helping to maintain and expand the organization’s revenue development efforts by building relationships with colleges, districts, sponsors, foundations, and industry leaders to generate interest in The RP Group’s services, events, and initiatives. The ideal candidate will work closely with leadership and other team members to co-develop and implement strategies that diversify funding sources while promoting the organization’s mission and goals. This role will support these growth efforts through collaborative relationship development, strategic outreach, sponsorship development, and engagement efforts. Our employees all work remotely across the state of California.

Duties and Responsibilities

Outreach and Engagement

• Conduct targeted outreach to colleges, districts, and prospective partners to generate interest in the organization’s services, initiatives, and events.
• Research and propose opportunities for organizational leadership to participate in relevant industry events as guest speakers, panelists, and thought leaders.
• Support marketing and communications activities that align with outreach and revenue objectives (e.g., email campaigns, digital and social media).
• Develop collateral materials (e.g., brochures, presentations, newsletters) that highlight The RP Group’s programs, services, events, and organizational impact.

Strategic Sponsorship and Revenue Expansion

• Identify potential funding opportunities, such as grants, collaborative partnerships, and other new revenue sources.
• Develop and execute strategies and tactics to secure sponsorships for programs, annual conferences, and other events and initiatives, ensuring alignment with sponsors’ goals and interests.

Project Coordination

• Organize and execute outreach efforts, ensuring timely and effective follow-up.
• Coordinate and schedule meetings between staff and potential funders and sponsors.
• Track and follow up on prospective funding opportunities.

Data and Reporting

• Maintain accurate and detailed records of outreach and revenue-generation activities in the organization’s customer relations management (CRM).
• Generate regular reports on engagement and sponsorship outcomes to share with RP Group staff and Board leadership.
• Use data-driven insights to evaluate and enhance outreach strategies to maximize impact and revenue potential.

Additional responsibilities as jointly defined with the Director of Research, Evaluation, & Development; Director of Strategic Communications & Marketing; and/or Executive Director

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Sales, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• At least three years experience in outreach, sales, or sponsorship development, ideally in a non profit or education-focused organization.
• Demonstrated success in outreach, sales, or sponsorship development, ideally in a nonprofit or education-focused organization.
• Proven track record in revenue generation and sponsorship acquisition.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency with CRM software, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, and other tools (e.g., email platforms and social media).
• Outstanding organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to work remotely(in a virtual setting, not an office setting),both independently and collaboratively.
• Must live in the state of California.
• Ability to travel within California for in-person meetings, as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with California Community Colleges or the higher education sector.
• Ability to problem solve and deal diplomatically with challenging issues, situations, and people.

Compensation range

Full-Time Employee: $70,000 to $85,000 per year base salary, dependent on relevant work experience and qualifications. Full company benefits including 100% company paid medical, dental, vision coverage for employees only; 100% company paid life, ADD, STD and LTD benefits; 6 weeks of PTO, 12 company paid holidays and 2 floating holidays.

Physical Requirements

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Application Instructions

IMPORTANT: To be considered, please email both your resume and a cover letter (or cover email) that describes how this position fits your interests, career goals, and work experiences to jhayashi@rpgroup.org.

We are a fully remote organization--all employees are required to reside in the state of California.

About Us

The Research and Planning Group for California Community Colleges (The RP Group) began almost three decades ago as a nonprofit membership driven organization for California community college institutional research planning and effectiveness (IRPE) professionals, designed to provide professional learning and networking opportunities.

Over the last decade, our organization has grown exponentially in its size and scope, adding in the delivery of research, evaluation, planning, and technical assistance services, and expanding our professional development offerings--serving not only IRPE professionals, but also engaging the full range of community college educators, policymakers, funders, and intermediary groups. However, throughout our growth, our Board of Directors, staff, consultants, and volunteers have always remained committed and devoted to achieving a common goal: to increase student success and equity in our 116 California Community Colleges (CCC) and beyond. Through collaboration and a commitment to authenticity and quality, our work is focused on promoting inspired futures for California Community College students in important areas such as equity, success, completion, and employment.

Come join our highly creative, collaborative, and multi-faceted team, working together to promote excellence by using data and evidence to improve outcomes – and the lives – of all community college students. The RP Group, consisting of 15 full-time and part-time staff and 50+ consultants, provides statewide leadership and works locally with colleges and districts to support inquiry and evidence-based decision-making. Quality, authenticity, equity, and collaboration are the central drivers of all our organization’s work and culture. We are a fully remote organization--all employees must live in the state of California.

The RP Group’s Commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The RP Group is committed to working proactively to advance the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and antiracism throughout our recruitment, compensation, training, and advancement of staff. We are committed to building a team that is equitable, diverse, inclusive, and represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, cultures, skills, and experiences, both professional and personal, knowing that the more inclusive we are, the more successful we will be as an organization.

Please visit our website to learn more about our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in our work and culture, and our mission, vision, and core values in building and nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment.

EEO Statement

The RP Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all state and federal laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors and will not be discriminated against.