Outreach Coordinator

Job DetailsJob Location: Lane College - Jackson, TN 38301Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: Graduate DegreeSalary Range: $30,000.00 - $45,000.00 SalaryJob Shift: AnyJob Category: Education JOB TITLE: Outreach Coordinator DEPT: Academic Affairs REPORTS TO: Communication and Media Studies Department  JOB TYPE: Full Time LOCATION: Lane College  AVAILABILITY:Fall 2026   JOB PURPOSE AND REPORTING STRUCTURE: Lane College seeks a dynamic and community-engaged Outreach Coordinator to strengthen partnerships between the College and regional industries while supporting student career development and experiential learning opportunities. This position focuses on buildingand maintaining relationships with businesses, organizations, and media professionals across Jackson, Memphis, Nashville, and credible remote professional communities to expand internship pipelines, employment opportunities, and collaborative projects for students. The Outreach Coordinator serves as a strategic bridge between Lane College and the professional community, ensuring that academic programs remain aligned with workforce needs. The role also supports students directly through career preparation, graduate school guidance, and portfolio development. In addition to outreach responsibilities, the successful candidate may teach selected undergraduate courses within the Communication and Creative Media Department based on qualifications and departmental needs. This is a highly visible, community-facing position requiring strong regional knowledge, digital engagement skills, and the ability to represent Lane College effectively across both in-person and virtual environments. ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Develop and maintain partnerships with businesses, media organizations, nonprofits, and community leaders in Jackson, Memphis, Nashville, and credible remote professional communities Identify and secure internship, job shadowing, and employment opportunities (both in-person and remote) Serve as the primary liaison between the Communication and Creative Media Department and external partners Coordinate guest speakers, workshops, and industry engagement opportunities Represent Lane College at community meetings, professional events, and regional networking functions Maintain a database of employer contacts, internship sites, and partnership activities Support employer recruitment efforts and internship placement initiatives Expand opportunities for students to engage with communities beyond the immediate Jackson, TN area through digital and remote partnerships STUDENT CAREER ENGAGEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Assist students in securing internships (local, regional, and remote) and entry-level employment opportunities Review and provide feedback on student resumes, cover letters, and professional materials Provide guidance on graduate school pathways, applications, and programselection Support development and evaluation of student digital portfolios and professional branding materials Coordinate portfolio reviews, employer networking events, and career readiness workshops Organize and implement digital networking events connecting students with professionals beyond the local region Develop and manage a Digital Graduate Fair to connect students with graduate programs and recruiters Support experiential learning initiatives such as media production projects and community storytelling initiatives Work with faculty to align outreach and career opportunities with course objectives PROGRAM AND DEPARTMENTAL SUPPORT Assist with departmental initiatives that strengthen workforce alignment and career readiness Support recruitment and retention initiatives through community and industry engagement Contribute to program visibility and public awareness of Communication and Creative Media programs Help position the department as a hub for media, communication, and creative industry engagement Collect, track, and analyze data related to internships, job placement, and graduate school enrollment Maintain accurate records of student participation in experiential learning and career outcomes Track graduates for up to three years post-graduation to assess career progression, continued education, and industry placement Develop and produce an annual report summarizing internship placement, graduateschool acceptance, employment outcomes, and overall program impact Use data to inform program improvements, workforce alignment, and strategic planning Support departmental and institutional assessment, accreditation, and reporting efforts (e.g., SACSCOC, Title Ill) TEACHING RESPONSIBILITIES (OPTIONAL/AS NEEDED) Teach up to 1-2 undergraduate courses per academic year based on departmental needs Possible courses include but not limited to: Internship I Internship II Senior Seminar Maintain academic standards consistent with Lane College policies   Qualifications REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Master's degree in English, Communication, Marketing, Media Arts, or a closely related field Demonstrated experience in community outreach, partnership development, or professional engagement Knowledge of the Jackson, Memphis, Nashville, and remote professional job markets Experience building relationships with community organizations or industry partners Strong interpersonal, networking, and communication skills Strong organizational and project management skills Ability to represent Lane College professionally in both in-person and digital environments PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS College-level teaching experience Experience in media, communications, marketing, or related industries Experience coordinating internships or experiential learning programs Familiarity with HBCU environments Experience working with college students Existing professional network in West Tennessee or Middle Tennessee Experience with event planning, career programming, or digital engagement initiative Experience facilitating virtual events, webinars, or online networking platforms Local to Jackson, TN KEY COMPETENCIES Relationship building and networking Professional communication (in-person and digital) Initiative and independence Strategic thinking and workforce alignment Community engagement Student-centered advising and mentorship Event planning and program coordination Digital engagement and virtual networking facilitation Professional representation of the College WORK ENVIRONMENT Primarily based on the Lane College campus in Jackson, Tennessee Regular travel to Memphis and Nashville expected Engagement with both local and remote partners through digital platforms Occasional evening or weekend events required Based on qualifications and experience, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those thatmust be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. It requires some walking and the ability to climb stairs, possibly sitting for long periods of time, and theability to lift up to 1Olbs. 1% of the time and minimum travel. Some nights and weekends may be needed. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT Lane College is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All qualified applicants willreceive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other protected status