Senior Engagement Manager

Thank you for considering a career with the Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY).

The team at RFCUNY is made up of dedicated, talented professionals committed to providing the services that allow CUNY researchers, faculty, and staff to focus on their intellectual curiosity and scientific discoveries.

We are pleased that you are interested in exploring opportunities to join RFCUNY.

Primary Location:

Bargaining Unit:

No

MISSION

The City University of New York (CUNY) is the nation’s largest urban public university, serving 235,000 degree-seeking students and 219,000 non-degree enrollments across 25 campuses. As a springboard for economic mobility, CUNY has been instrumental in lifting individuals from the lowest economic quintile to the highest, surpassing the collective impact of Ivy League institutions and other prestigious universities. More than 50% of students hail from households earning less than $30,000 annually. 77% are students of color. 80% of CUNY’s 1 million alumni have stayed in New York City, elevating CUNY’s role as an economic engine for America’s largest City and the region. Furthermore, 1 out of every 72 undergraduate/graduate students in America is a CUNY student, making our students’ success a driver of national outcomes. CUNY non-degree programs are essential to its mission to provide high-quality, affordable education to all New Yorkers, and offer an array of accessible educational options.

Guided by CUNY’s seven-year strategic plan, CUNY Lifting NY, the CUNY Office of Careers & Industry Partnerships (OCIP) develops and implements partnerships, investments, strategies, and policies that are designed to increase the career success of degree and nondegree students alike. CUNY is committed to ensuring that more students graduating with their degrees can quickly launch careers of their choosing with competitive salaries.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

CUNY is seeking a Senior Engagement Manager to work with the OCIP team to develop a strategy for engaging students in the successful deployment of CUNY Beyond – the university’s signature initiative for boosting undergraduate career success. The role will provide necessary student feedback on the overall CUNY Beyond model, work with central stakeholders to develop recommendations for communicating to students about Beyond, and test out strategies for engaging students.

The position reports to the Vice Chancellor, Career Engagement & Industry Partnerships.

This is a temporary grant-funded position until June 30, 2026 with the possibility of extension.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This is a newly created role. The Senior Advisor for OCIP Data & Impact will:

Inform Development of CUNY Beyond

• Review CUNY Beyond framework from a student perspective and provide feedback on priority elements, implementation considerations, and opportunities to engage students in the deployment of Beyond on a campus

• Launch a student focus group to identify areas of greatest interest to students, draft initial Beyond FAQs for students, and develop recommendations to ensure that initiative roll out engages students on each campus
   

Develop Recommendations for Communicating to Students about Beyond

• Develop recommendations for a student-facing Beyond communications plan complete with: 1) objectives, 2) proposed tactics – channels, cadence, themes, 3) how we will measure success. 

• Collaborate with other OCIP staff (who are also current students) to get input on proposed plan and identify opportunities for others to further refine and own particular workstreams.

• Working with OCIP and other Central Office teams, draft messaging that speaks to student interest and perspectives related to Beyond

Shadow Industry Partnership Conversations

• As the opportunity presents itself, join conversations with industry partners to hear employer interests and provide recommendations afterwards for how student perspectives can be best represented in such conversations.

Hit the Ground

• Working in partnership with campuses, test on-the-ground student engagement campaign as outlined in the Beyond communications plan.
   

Other

• Collaborate closely with OCIP staff including existing communications leaders

• Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications:

• First-hand experience as a CUNY student.

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts clearly.

• Demonstrated willingness to engage and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders and collaborators, while being able to address a variety of challenges that may arise.

• Interest in understanding and sharing information on policies, processes, and considerations that impact the experience of CUNY students.

• Experience managing project deadlines, progress reports, and updates.

• Ability to evaluate progress, recommend changes, and quickly pivot.

• Successful track record working as a member of a collaborative team.

• Creative, entrepreneurial, and resourceful.

• Values diverse perspectives and incorporates insights from different stakeholders to produce well-considered end products.

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office products including word, power point, and excel.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in post-secondary education and/or social services is preferred but not required.

• Prior understanding of CUNY Central and campus dynamics helpful but not essential.

• Experience with career and workforce development programs a plus but not required.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:

• This position is based in a professional office environment and follows a hybrid work schedule: 70% in-person (7 days) and 30% remote (3 days) during each two-week payroll cycle.

• A laptop and other necessary equipment may be provided to support remote work.

• While performing these duties, the employee may be required to:

• Sit for extended periods

• Use a computer and other office equipment

• Occasionally lift or move items up to 20 pounds

• Reasonable accommodations will be provided to individuals with disabilities or other needs in accordance with RFCUNY policies and applicable laws.

• Ability to travel to other CUNY sites as needed.

Pay Range:

$80,000 - $85,000

RFCUNY Benefits
RFCUNY Employee Benefits and Accruals

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The Research Foundation of the City University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities Act/E-Verify Employer. It is the policy of the Research Foundation of CUNY to provide equal employment opportunities free of discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic violence victim status, arrest record, criminal conviction history, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.